Creature Reference Back to Creatures

Quickserpent

Large · Beast · CR 4 · Unaligned

Source. Tome of Beasts 2

15 (natural armor)

102 (12d10+36)

Ability Scores

Core attributes and their modifiers.

STR

DEX

CON

INT

-3

WIS

CHA

-2

Overview

Category Monsters

Size Large

Type Beast

Alignment Unaligned

XP 1100

Initiative Bonus +1

Movement

Walk 40 ft (12.2 m)

Swim 20 ft (6.1 m)

Climb 20 ft (6.1 m)

Burrow 20 ft (6.1 m)

Crawl 20 ft (6.1 m)

Senses

Tremorsense 60 ft (18.3 m)

Passive Perception 12

Skills

Stealth +3

Languages

understands Terran but can't speak

Traits

Swamp Camouflage

The quickserpent has advantage on Dexterity (Stealth) checks made to hide in swampy terrain.

Actions

Bite

+7 to hit, reach 5 ft (1.5 m). Hit: 1d6+5 piercing damage.

Melee Weapon Attack: +7 to hit, reach 5 ft., one creature. Hit: 8 (1d6 + 5) piercing damage.

Constrict

+7 to hit, reach 5 ft (1.5 m). Hit: 2d8+5 bludgeoning damage.

Melee Weapon Attack: +7 to hit, reach 5 ft., one creature. Hit: 14 (2d8 + 5) bludgeoning damage, and the target is grappled (escape DC 15) if it is Large or smaller. Until this grapple ends, the creature is restrained, and the quickserpent can't constrict another target.

Quicksand Pit

Recharge 5–6

The quickserpent turns a 10-foot cube of natural mud or loose stone into a pit of quicksand. Each creature in the area when the quickserpent creates the pit must succeed on a DC 15 Dexterity saving throw or sink 1d4 feet into the quicksand and become restrained. A creature that successfully saves moves to the pit's edge as it is formed. A creature that enters the quicksand for the first time on a turn or starts its turn in the quicksand it sinks 1d4 feet and is restrained. A creature that is completely submerged in quicksand can't breathe.

A restrained creature can try to escape by taking an action to make a DC 15 Strength check. On a success, the creature escapes and enters a space of its choice within 5 feet of the edge of the quicksand. A creature within 5 feet of the quicksand can take an action to pull a creature out of the quicksand. Doing so requires a successful DC 15 Strength check, and the quickserpent has advantage on attack rolls against the creature until the end of the creature's next turn.

About Quickserpent

Quickserpent is a large beast with a Challenge Rating of 4. It has a unaligned alignment.

In combat, this creature maintains an Armor Class of 15 and possesses 102 hit points (derived from 12d10+36).

Quickserpent has communication capabilities including understands Terran but can't speak. This allows it to interact verbally with various creatures and characters.

GM Tips: Using Quickserpent

2 tips available

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

Burrowing Tactics: This creature can burrow at 20 ft. It can ambush from underground or escape combat by digging. Use 'Earthbind' or create difficult terrain to limit burrowing. Consider fighting in areas without soft ground.
Climbing Advantage: This creature can climb at 20 ft. It can use walls and ceilings for tactical positioning. Consider using 'Spider Climb' negation or fighting in open areas without vertical surfaces.

Player Guide: Facing Quickserpent

2 strategies available

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

Burrowing Defense: This creature can burrow at 20 ft! It can ambush from underground. Use 'Earthbind', create difficult terrain, or fight on hard surfaces. 'Stone Shape' can seal burrows.
Climbing Defense: This creature can climb at 20 ft! It can use walls and ceilings for surprise attacks. Fight in open areas without vertical surfaces. 'Spider Climb' negation spells can help.

Encounter Building Calculator

Standard Party Encounter (4-5 characters):

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

Solo Encounter:

A single character of level 6 (up to level 20) can face this creature in a medium to hard encounter.

Experience Point Thresholds:

Medium: 2,000 XP
Hard: 3,000 XP
Deadly: 4,000 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 Quickserpent?: Quickserpent has a Challenge Rating of 4, making it appropriate for parties of level 4.0.
What type of creature is Quickserpent?: Quickserpent is a Large Beast, which affects how certain spells and abilities interact with it.
What languages does Quickserpent speak?: Quickserpent can communicate in understands Terran but can't speak.