Creature Reference Back to Creatures

Oculo Swarm

Large · Aberration · CR 4 · Neutral Evil

Source. Tome of Beasts
Armor Class
15
Hit Points and Hit Dice
110 (13d10+39)
Challenge Rating CR
4

Ability Scores

Core attributes and their modifiers.

STR
10
+0
DEX
20
+5
CON
16
+3
INT
8
-1
WIS
15
+2
CHA
17
+3

Overview

Category Monsters
Size Large
Type Aberration
Alignment Neutral Evil
XP 1100
Initiative Bonus +5

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 16

Skills

Insight +6 Perception +6 Stealth +7

Languages

understands Common but can't speak

Resistances & Immunities

Damage Resistances
bludgeoning, piercing, slashing
Condition Immunities
charmed, frightened, paralyzed, petrified, prone, restrained, stunned

Environments

Caves Ruins Underworld

Traits

Swarm

The swarm can occupy another creature's space and vice versa, and the swarm can move through any opening at least 2 inches square. The swarm can't regain hit points or gain temporary hit points.

Actions

Eye Extraction

Every creature that occupies the same space as the swarm must succeed on a DC 13 Constitution saving throw or become temporarily blinded as their eyes strain from their sockets. This blindness lasts for as long as the affected creature remains in the same space as the oculus; it ends at the end of the blinded creature's turn if the creature is out of the oculus's space. Also, any cure spell cast on the blinded creature ends the temporary blindness, but not restoration spells. If a creature that's already temporarily blinded is targeted again by eye extraction and fails the saving throw, that creature becomes permanently blind as its eyes are pulled from their sockets to join the swarm (causing 1d8 piercing damage). Success on either saving throw renders that creature immune to eye extraction for 24 hours (but it still doesn't recover its sight until it gets out of the swarm). An oculo swarm with 50 or fewer hit points can't use this ability.

Gaze

Recharge 5–6

The swarm targets every creature in its space with a gaze attack. The swarm can choose one of two effects for the attack: confusion or hold person. Every target in the swarm's space is affected unless it makes a successful DC 14 Charisma saving throw. Even creatures that avert their eyes or are blind can be affected by an oculus swarm's gaze. The confusion or hold person effect lasts 1d4 rounds.

About Oculo Swarm

Oculo Swarm is a large aberration with a Challenge Rating of 4. It has a neutral evil alignment.

In combat, this creature maintains an Armor Class of 15 and possesses 110 hit points (derived from 13d10+39).

Oculo Swarm has communication capabilities including understands Common but can't speak. This allows it to interact verbally with various creatures and characters.

GM Tips: Using Oculo Swarm

1 tips available

When using Oculo 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 Oculo 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 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 Oculo Swarm?
Oculo Swarm has a Challenge Rating of 4, making it appropriate for parties of level 4.0.
What type of creature is Oculo Swarm?
Oculo Swarm is a Large Aberration, which affects how certain spells and abilities interact with it.
What languages does Oculo Swarm speak?
Oculo Swarm can communicate in understands Common but can't speak.

Related D&D 5e Content

Related Creatures