Creature Reference Back to Creatures

Clockwork Beetle

Tiny · Construct · CR 1/2 · Unaligned

Source. Tome of Beasts

14 (natural armor)

15 (6d4)

1/2

Ability Scores

Core attributes and their modifiers.

STR

-1

DEX

CON

INT

-3

WIS

CHA

-2

Overview

Category Monsters

Size Tiny

Type Construct

Alignment Unaligned

XP 100

Initiative Bonus +3

Movement

Walk 30 ft (9.1 m)

Fly 50 ft (15.2 m)

Swim 15 ft (4.6 m)

Climb 15 ft (4.6 m)

Crawl 15 ft (4.6 m)

Senses

Darkvision 60 ft (18.3 m)

Passive Perception 11

Saving Throws

Dexterity +5

Skills

Stealth +5

Languages

understands Common, telepathy 100.0 ft (30.5 m). (creator only)

Resistances & Immunities

Damage Immunities

poison, psychic

Condition Immunities

charmed, exhaustion, frightened, paralyzed, petrified, poisoned

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

Traits

Immutable Form

The clockwork beetle is immune to any spell or effect that would alter its form.

Magic Resistance

The clockwork beetle has advantage on saving throws against spells and other magical effects.

Actions

Bite

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

Melee Weapon Attack: +5 to hit, reach 5 ft., one target. Hit: 6 (1d6 + 3) piercing damage plus 5 (2d4) poison damage, or one-half poison damage with a successful DC 10 Constitution saving throw.

About Clockwork Beetle

Clockwork Beetle is a tiny construct with a Challenge Rating of 1/2. It has a unaligned alignment.

In combat, this creature maintains an Armor Class of 14 and possesses 15 hit points (derived from 6d4).

Clockwork Beetle has communication capabilities including understands Common, telepathy 100 ft. (creator only). This allows it to interact verbally with various creatures and characters.

GM Tips: Using Clockwork Beetle

2 tips available

When using Clockwork Beetle 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.
Telepathic Communication: This creature can communicate telepathically, making it excellent for coordination with allies. Silence spells won't stop its communication. Consider 'Mind Blank' or abilities that block telepathy.

Player Guide: Facing Clockwork Beetle

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.
Telepathy Awareness: This creature communicates telepathically! It can coordinate with allies silently. Silence won't stop it. Use 'Mind Blank' or abilities that block telepathy. Be cautious of mental attacks.

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: 75 XP
Hard: 112 XP
Deadly: 150 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 Clockwork Beetle?: Clockwork Beetle has a Challenge Rating of 1/2, making it appropriate for parties of level 0.5.
What type of creature is Clockwork Beetle?: Clockwork Beetle is a Tiny Construct, which affects how certain spells and abilities interact with it.
What languages does Clockwork Beetle speak?: Clockwork Beetle can communicate in understands Common, telepathy 100 ft. (creator only).