Creature Reference Back to Creatures

Swarm, Biting Gnat

Medium · Beast · CR 1/4 · Unaligned

Source. Tome of Beasts 3

16 (3d8+3)

1/4

Ability Scores

Core attributes and their modifiers.

STR

-4

DEX

CON

INT

-5

WIS

CHA

-5

Overview

Category Monsters

Size Medium

Type Beast

Alignment Unaligned

XP 50

Initiative Bonus +3

Movement

Walk 10 ft (3 m)

Fly 30 ft (9.1 m)

Swim 5 ft (1.5 m)

Climb 10 ft (3 m)

Crawl 5 ft (1.5 m)

Senses

Passive Perception 10

Skills

Perception +0

Resistances & Immunities

Damage Resistances

bludgeoning, piercing, slashing

Condition Immunities

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

Traits

Blood Sense

Can pinpoint by scent the location of warm-blooded creatures within 20' of it.

Distracting Buzz

A creature that is not deafened and starts its turn in a space occupied by a swarm of biting gnats must make DC 10 Wis save or become distracted by the droning of the gnats’ wings. A distracted creature has disadvantage on attack rolls and ability checks that use Int Wis or Cha for 1 min. A creature can re-save at end of each of its turns success ends effect on itself. If a creature’s save is successful the creature is immune to the swarm’s Distracting Buzz for the next 10 min.

Swarm

Can occupy another creature’s space and vice versa and swarm can move through any opening large enough for a Tiny beast. Can’t regain hp or gain temp hp.

About Swarm, Biting Gnat

Swarm, Biting Gnat is a medium beast with a Challenge Rating of 1/4. It has a unaligned alignment.

In combat, this creature maintains an Armor Class of 13 and possesses 16 hit points (derived from 3d8+3).

GM Tips: Using Swarm, Biting Gnat

2 tips available

When using Swarm, Biting Gnat 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.
Climbing Advantage: This creature can climb at 10 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 Swarm, Biting Gnat

2 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.
Climbing Defense: This creature can climb at 10 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 1.

Solo Encounter:

A single character of level 2 (up to level 20) can face this creature in a medium to hard encounter.

Experience Point Thresholds:

Medium: 31 XP
Hard: 46 XP
Deadly: 62 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 Swarm, Biting Gnat?: Swarm, Biting Gnat has a Challenge Rating of 1/4, making it appropriate for parties of level 0.25.
What type of creature is Swarm, Biting Gnat?: Swarm, Biting Gnat is a Medium Beast, which affects how certain spells and abilities interact with it.