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Sluagh Swarm

Medium · Fey · CR 3 · Chaotic Evil

Source. Tome of Beasts

54 (12d8)

Ability Scores

Core attributes and their modifiers.

STR

-2

DEX

CON

INT

-2

WIS

CHA

Overview

Category Monsters

Size Medium

Type Fey

Alignment Chaotic Evil

XP 700

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

Skills

Stealth +5

Languages

Common, Sylvan

Resistances & Immunities

Damage Resistances

cold; bludgeoning, piercing, and slashing

Damage Vulnerabilities

fire

Condition Immunities

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

Traits

Lone Slaughs: An individual sluagh has a challenge rating of 1/8 (25 XP), 2 hit points, and does 3 (

They travel in swarms for a reason.

Shadowy Stealth

While in dim light or darkness, the sluagh swarm can take the Hide action as a bonus action.

Sunlight Weakness

While in sunlight, the sluagh swarm has disadvantage on attack rolls, ability checks, and saving throws.

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 fey. The swarm can't regain hit points or gain temporary hit points.

Actions

Chilling Touch

+5 to hit. Hit: 8d6 cold damage.

Melee Weapon Attack: +5 to hit, reach 0 ft., one creature in the swarm's space. Hit: 28 (8d6) cold damage or 14 (4d6) cold damage if the swarm has half of its hit points or fewer. The target must make a successful DC 13 Constitution saving throw or be unable to regain hit points. An affected creature repeats the saving throw at the end of its turns, ending the effect on itself with a successful save. The effect can also be ended with a greater restoration spell or comparable magic.

About Sluagh Swarm

Sluagh Swarm is a medium fey with a Challenge Rating of 3. It has a chaotic evil alignment.

In combat, this creature maintains an Armor Class of 13 and possesses 54 hit points (derived from 12d8).

Sluagh Swarm has communication capabilities including Common, Sylvan. This allows it to interact verbally with various creatures and characters.

GM Tips: Using Sluagh Swarm

2 tips available

When using Sluagh 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.
Cold Damage Strategy: Cold-based attacks can slow or freeze. Prepare 'Heat Metal' or fire spells as countermeasures. Ice terrain can be used to create difficult terrain for melee characters.

Player Guide: Facing Sluagh 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.
Cold Damage Protection: This creature deals cold damage! Get cold resistance or use fire spells. Avoid water surfaces - they can freeze and create difficult terrain. 'Heat Metal' can counter cold.

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 Sluagh Swarm?: Sluagh Swarm has a Challenge Rating of 3, making it appropriate for parties of level 3.0.
What type of creature is Sluagh Swarm?: Sluagh Swarm is a Medium Fey, which affects how certain spells and abilities interact with it.
What languages does Sluagh Swarm speak?: Sluagh Swarm can communicate in Common, Sylvan.