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Greater Death Butterfly Swarm

Huge · Beast · CR 6 · Chaotic Evil

Source. Tome of Beasts
Armor Class
15 (natural armor)
Hit Points and Hit Dice
84 (13d12)
Challenge Rating CR
6

Ability Scores

Core attributes and their modifiers.

STR
1
-5
DEX
16
+3
CON
10
+0
INT
1
-5
WIS
15
+2
CHA
12
+1

Overview

Category Monsters
Size Huge
Type Beast
Alignment Chaotic Evil
XP 2300
Initiative Bonus +3

Movement

Walk 5 ft (1.5 m)
Fly 40 ft (12.2 m)
Swim 2 ft (0.6 m)
Climb 2 ft (0.6 m)
Crawl 2 ft (0.6 m)
Hover Yes

Senses

Darkvision 60 ft (18.3 m)
Passive Perception 12

Resistances & Immunities

Damage Resistances
bludgeoning, piercing, and slashing
Damage Vulnerabilities
cold, fire
Condition Immunities
charmed, frightened, paralyzed, petrified, prone, restrained, petrified

Environments

Forest or Jungle Grassland or Plains

Traits

Potent Poison

The death butterfly swarm's poison affects corporeal undead who are otherwise immune to poison.

Swarm

The swarm can occupy another creature's space and vice versa, and the swarm can move through any opening large enough for a Tiny insect. The swarm can't regain hit points or gain temporary hit points.

Weight of Wings

As death butterfly swarm but with DC 16 Dexterity saving throw

Actions

Bites

+6 to hit. Hit: 6d6 poison damage.

Melee Weapon Attack: +6 to hit, reach 0 ft., every target in the swarm's space. Hit: 24 (6d6 + 3) piercing damage, or 13 (3d6 + 3) piercing damage if the swarm has half of its hit points or fewer. The target also takes 17 (5d6) poison damage and becomes poisoned for 1d4 rounds; a successful DC 15 Constitution saving throw reduces poison damage by half and prevents the poisoned condition.

Multiattack

The swarm makes a Bite attack against every target in its spaces.

About Greater Death Butterfly Swarm

Greater Death Butterfly Swarm is a huge beast with a Challenge Rating of 6. It has a chaotic evil alignment.

In combat, this creature maintains an Armor Class of 15 and possesses 84 hit points (derived from 13d12).

GM Tips: Using Greater Death Butterfly Swarm

1 tips available

When using Greater Death Butterfly Swarm 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.

Player Guide: Facing Greater Death Butterfly Swarm

1 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.

Encounter Building Calculator

Standard Party Encounter (4-5 characters):

This creature is a medium encounter for a party of 4 characters of level 6.

Solo Encounter:

A single character of level 9 (up to level 20) can face this creature in a medium to hard encounter.

Experience Point Thresholds:

  • Medium: 4,200 XP
  • Hard: 6,300 XP
  • Deadly: 8,400 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 Greater Death Butterfly Swarm?
Greater Death Butterfly Swarm has a Challenge Rating of 6, making it appropriate for parties of level 6.0.
What type of creature is Greater Death Butterfly Swarm?
Greater Death Butterfly Swarm is a Huge Beast, which affects how certain spells and abilities interact with it.

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