Creature Reference Back to Creatures

Glacial Crawler

Huge · Aberration · CR 11 · Unaligned

Source. Tome of Beasts 3

17 (natural armor)

207 (18d12+90)

Ability Scores

Core attributes and their modifiers.

STR

DEX

CON

INT

-4

WIS

CHA

-3

Overview

Category Monsters

Size Huge

Type Aberration

Alignment Unaligned

XP 7200

Initiative Bonus +3

Movement

Walk 30 ft (9.1 m)

Swim 60 ft (18.3 m)

Climb 20 ft (6.1 m)

Burrow 30 ft (9.1 m)

Crawl 15 ft (4.6 m)

Senses

Blindsight 60 ft (18.3 m)

Tremorsense 60 ft (18.3 m)

Passive Perception 18

Saving Throws

Strength +9 Constitution +9

Skills

Perception +0

Resistances & Immunities

Damage Immunities

acid, cold, fire

Condition Immunities

blinded, prone

Traits

Acidic Coating

A creature that touches the crawler or hits it with melee attack while within 5 ft. of it takes 9 (2d8) acid.

Amphibious

Can breathe air and water.

Snow Camouflage

Has advantage on Dex (Stealth) checks made to hide in snowy terrain.

Tunneler

Can burrow through ice snow and permafrost and leaves a 5 ft. diameter tunnel in its wake.

About Glacial Crawler

Glacial Crawler is a huge aberration with a Challenge Rating of 11. It has a unaligned alignment.

In combat, this creature maintains an Armor Class of 17 and possesses 207 hit points (derived from 18d12+90).

GM Tips: Using Glacial Crawler

3 tips available

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

Burrowing Tactics: This creature can burrow at 30 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.
Aquatic Combat: This creature can swim at 60 ft. It has advantage in water environments. Consider fighting on land or using water-based spells against it.

Player Guide: Facing Glacial Crawler

3 strategies available

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

Burrowing Defense: This creature can burrow at 30 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.
Aquatic Combat Defense: This creature can swim at 60 ft! It has advantage in water. Fight on land if possible. Use 'Control Water' or drain water sources to limit its mobility.

Encounter Building Calculator

Standard Party Encounter (4-5 characters):

This creature is a medium encounter for a party of 4 characters of level 11.

Solo Encounter:

A single character of level 15 (up to level 20) can face this creature in a medium to hard encounter.

Experience Point Thresholds:

Medium: 13,200 XP
Hard: 19,800 XP
Deadly: 26,400 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 Glacial Crawler?: Glacial Crawler has a Challenge Rating of 11, making it appropriate for parties of level 11.0.
What type of creature is Glacial Crawler?: Glacial Crawler is a Huge Aberration, which affects how certain spells and abilities interact with it.