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Prismatic Beetle Swarm

Medium · Beast · CR 3 · Unaligned

Source. Tome of Beasts

38 (7d8+7)

Ability Scores

Core attributes and their modifiers.

STR

-4

DEX

CON

INT

-5

WIS

CHA

-4

Overview

Category Monsters

Size Medium

Type Beast

Alignment Unaligned

XP 700

Initiative Bonus +3

Movement

Walk 20 ft (6.1 m)

Fly 30 ft (9.1 m)

Swim 10 ft (3 m)

Climb 10 ft (3 m)

Burrow 5 ft (1.5 m)

Crawl 10 ft (3 m)

Senses

Darkvision 30 ft (9.1 m)

Blindsight 10 ft (3 m)

Passive Perception 13

Skills

Perception +3 Stealth +5

Languages

Resistances & Immunities

Damage Resistances

bludgeoning, piercing, slashing

Condition Immunities

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

Environments

Forest or Jungle

Traits

Glittering Carapace

The glossy, iridescent carapaces of the beetles in the swarm scatter and tint light in a dazzling exhibition of colors. In bright light, a creature within 30 feet that looks at the prismatic beetle swarm must make a successful DC 13 Wisdom saving throw or be blinded until the end of its next turn. If the saving throw fails by 5 or more, the target is also knocked unconscious. Unless it's surprised, a creature can avoid the saving throw by choosing to avert its eyes at the start of its turn. A creature that averts its eyes can't see the swarm until the start of its next turn, when it can choose to avert its eyes again. If the creature looks at the swarm in the meantime, it must immediately make the saving throw. The saving throw is made with advantage if the swarm of prismatic beetles is in dim light, and this ability has no effect if the swarm is in darkness.

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.

Actions

Bites

+5 to hit. Hit: 4d4 poison damage.

Melee Weapon Attack: +5 to hit, reach 0 ft., one creature in the swarm's space. Hit: 10 (4d4) piercing damage, or 5 (2d4) piercing damage if the swarm has half of its hit points or fewer. The target also takes 10 (4d4) poison damage and becomes euphoric for 1d4 rounds, or takes half as much poison damage and is not euphoric if it makes a successful DC 11 Constitution saving throw. A euphoric creature has disadvantage on saving throws.

About Prismatic Beetle Swarm

Prismatic Beetle Swarm is a medium beast with a Challenge Rating of 3. It has a unaligned alignment.

In combat, this creature maintains an Armor Class of 13 and possesses 38 hit points (derived from 7d8+7).

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

GM Tips: Using Prismatic Beetle Swarm

2 tips available

When using Prismatic Beetle 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.
Burrowing Tactics: This creature can burrow at 5 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.

Player Guide: Facing Prismatic Beetle Swarm

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.
Burrowing Defense: This creature can burrow at 5 ft! It can ambush from underground. Use 'Earthbind', create difficult terrain, or fight on hard surfaces. 'Stone Shape' can seal burrows.

Encounter Building Calculator

Standard Party Encounter (4-5 characters):

This creature is a medium encounter for a party of 4 characters of level 3.

Solo Encounter:

A single character of level 5 (up to level 20) can face this creature in a medium to hard encounter.

Experience Point Thresholds:

Medium: 1,200 XP
Hard: 1,800 XP
Deadly: 2,400 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 Prismatic Beetle Swarm?: Prismatic Beetle Swarm has a Challenge Rating of 3, making it appropriate for parties of level 3.0.
What type of creature is Prismatic Beetle Swarm?: Prismatic Beetle Swarm is a Medium Beast, which affects how certain spells and abilities interact with it.
What languages does Prismatic Beetle Swarm speak?: Prismatic Beetle Swarm can communicate in -.