Creature Reference Back to Creatures

Carrion Beetle

Large · Beast · CR 4 · Neutral

Source. Tome of Beasts

15 (natural armor)

127 (15d10+45)

Ability Scores

Core attributes and their modifiers.

STR

DEX

CON

INT

-5

WIS

CHA

Overview

Category Monsters

Size Large

Type Beast

Alignment Neutral

XP 1100

Initiative Bonus +1

Movement

Walk 30 ft (9.1 m)

Swim 15 ft (4.6 m)

Climb 10 ft (3 m)

Burrow 20 ft (6.1 m)

Crawl 15 ft (4.6 m)

Senses

Darkvision 60 ft (18.3 m)

Passive Perception 11

Languages

Resistances & Immunities

Condition Immunities

paralysis

Environments

Arctic or Tundra Caves Coast Desert Forest or Jungle Grassland or Plains Hills Laboratory Lake Mountain Ocean Ruins Sewer Shadowfell The Abyss Astral Plane Elysium Ethereal Plane Feywild Hell Material Plane Plane of Air Plane of Earth Plane of Fire Plane of Water Swamp or Marsh Temple Badlands Tomb Underworld Urban

Actions

Acid Spit

Recharge 5–6

The carrion beetle spits a line of acid that is 30 ft. long and 5 ft. wide. Each creature in that line takes 32 (5d12) acid damage, or half damage with a successful DC 13 Dexterity saving throw.

Bite

+6 to hit, reach 10 ft (3 m). Hit: 1d12 piercing damage.

Melee Weapon Attack: +6 to hit, reach 10 ft., one target. Hit: 10 (1d12 + 4) piercing damage.

Claws

+6 to hit, reach 10 ft (3 m). Hit: 1d6 slashing damage.

Melee Weapon Attack: +6 to hit, reach 10 ft., one target. Hit: 7 (1d6 + 4) slashing damage.

Multiattack

The beetle makes one bite attack and two claw attacks.

About Carrion Beetle

Carrion Beetle is a large beast with a Challenge Rating of 4. It has a neutral alignment.

In combat, this creature maintains an Armor Class of 15 and possesses 127 hit points (derived from 15d10+45).

Carrion Beetle has communication capabilities including -. This allows it to interact verbally with various creatures and characters.

GM Tips: Using Carrion Beetle

2 tips available

When using Carrion Beetle 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 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 Carrion Beetle

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 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 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 Carrion Beetle?: Carrion Beetle has a Challenge Rating of 4, making it appropriate for parties of level 4.0.
What type of creature is Carrion Beetle?: Carrion Beetle is a Large Beast, which affects how certain spells and abilities interact with it.
What languages does Carrion Beetle speak?: Carrion Beetle can communicate in -.