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Swarm, Ice Borers

Medium · Elemental · CR 2 · Unaligned

Source. Tome of Beasts 3

40 (9d8)

Ability Scores

Core attributes and their modifiers.

STR

-2

DEX

CON

INT

-4

WIS

CHA

-4

Overview

Category Monsters

Size Medium

Type Elemental

Alignment Unaligned

XP 450

Initiative Bonus +2

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 Immunities

cold

Damage Resistances

bludgeoning, piercing, slashing

Condition Immunities

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

Traits

False Appearance

While motionless indistinguishable from cluster of icicles. This trait doesn’t function if swarm has damaged a creature with blood within the past 2 hrs.

Frigid Mass

A creature that starts its turn in the swarm’s space takes 4 (1d8) cold.

Heatsense

The swarm can pinpoint the location of creatures emitting heat such as warm-blooded Beasts and Humanoids within 30' of it.

Spider Climb

Difficult surfaces even ceilings no ability check.

Swarm

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

About Swarm, Ice Borers

Swarm, Ice Borers is a medium elemental with a Challenge Rating of 2. It has a unaligned alignment.

In combat, this creature maintains an Armor Class of 12 and possesses 40 hit points (derived from 9d8).

GM Tips: Using Swarm, Ice Borers

2 tips available

When using Swarm, Ice Borers 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, Ice Borers

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 2.

Solo Encounter:

A single character of level 4 (up to level 20) can face this creature in a medium to hard encounter.

Experience Point Thresholds:

Medium: 600 XP
Hard: 900 XP
Deadly: 1,200 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, Ice Borers?: Swarm, Ice Borers has a Challenge Rating of 2, making it appropriate for parties of level 2.0.
What type of creature is Swarm, Ice Borers?: Swarm, Ice Borers is a Medium Elemental, which affects how certain spells and abilities interact with it.