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Nyctli Swarm

Large · Fey · CR 10 · Chaotic Evil

Source. Tome of Beasts 2

110 (20d10)

Ability Scores

Core attributes and their modifiers.

STR

DEX

CON

INT

-2

WIS

CHA

Overview

Category Monsters

Size Large

Type Fey

Alignment Chaotic Evil

XP 5900

Initiative Bonus +4

Movement

Walk 10 ft (3 m)

Fly 40 ft (12.2 m)

Swim 5 ft (1.5 m)

Climb 5 ft (1.5 m)

Crawl 5 ft (1.5 m)

Hover Yes

Senses

Darkvision 60 ft (18.3 m)

Passive Perception 16

Skills

Perception +6

Languages

Sylvan

Resistances & Immunities

Damage Resistances

bludgeoning, piercing, slashing

Condition Immunities

charmed, frightened, grappled, paralyzed, petrified, prone, restrained, stunned

Traits

Innate Spellcasting (1/Day)

The nyctli swarm can innately cast fear, requiring no material components. Its innate spellcasting ability is Charisma.

Swarm

The swarm can occupy another creature’s space and vice versa, and the swarm can move through any opening large enough for a Tiny nyctli. The swarm can’t regain hp or gain temporary hp.

Actions

Douse Light

As the nyctli, except the swarm can't dispel light created by a spell of 6th level or higher.

Stingers

+8 to hit. Hit: 6d6 necrotic damage.

Melee Weapon Attack: +8 to hit, reach 0 ft., one target in the swarm's space. Hit: 21 (6d6) piercing damage, or 10 (3d6) piercing damage if the swarm has half of its hp or fewer. The target must make a DC 16 Constitution saving throw. On a failure, a creature takes 42 (12d6) necrotic damage and is blinded for 1 minute. On a success, a creature takes half the damage and isn't blinded. A creature can repeat the saving throw at the end of each of its turns, ending the effect on itself on a success.

About Nyctli Swarm

Nyctli Swarm is a large fey with a Challenge Rating of 10. It has a chaotic evil alignment.

In combat, this creature maintains an Armor Class of 14 and possesses 110 hit points (derived from 20d10).

Nyctli Swarm has communication capabilities including Sylvan. This allows it to interact verbally with various creatures and characters.

GM Tips: Using Nyctli Swarm

1 tips available

When using Nyctli Swarm in your D&D 5e campaign, consider these tactical approaches:

Flight Control Strategy: Target flying creatures with spells like 'Hold Person', 'Web', or 'Grease' to ground them. Without flight restriction, they can escape melee range easily. Consider area denial spells below their flight altitude to force them into disadvantageous positions.

Player Guide: Facing Nyctli Swarm

1 strategies available

When your party encounters this creature, keep these strategies in mind:

Counter Flight Advantage: This creature can fly! Use ranged attacks, reach weapons, or spells like 'Thunderwave' to push it away. Consider 'Gust of Wind' or 'Earthbind' to ground it. Melee characters need fly speed or flight magic to engage.

Encounter Building Calculator

Standard Party Encounter (4-5 characters):

This creature is a medium encounter for a party of 4 characters of level 10.

Solo Encounter:

A single character of level 13 (up to level 20) can face this creature in a medium to hard encounter.

Experience Point Thresholds:

Medium: 11,000 XP
Hard: 16,500 XP
Deadly: 22,000 XP

Based on D&D 5e Dungeon Master's Guide encounter building guidelines. CR roughly equals party level for medium encounters.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the challenge rating of Nyctli Swarm?: Nyctli Swarm has a Challenge Rating of 10, making it appropriate for parties of level 10.0.
What type of creature is Nyctli Swarm?: Nyctli Swarm is a Large Fey, which affects how certain spells and abilities interact with it.
What languages does Nyctli Swarm speak?: Nyctli Swarm can communicate in Sylvan.