Bilge-Tide Rat Swarm

medium beast, unaligned

D&D 5.5 / SRD 5.2

Challenge 2 (450 XP)

Available with DM subscription
STR
9 (-1)
DEX
16 (+3)
CON
11
INT
2 (-4)
WIS
10
CHA
3 (-4)

Defense

Armor Class
12 (natural)
Hit Points
36 (8d8 0)
Speed
30 ft., swim 20 ft., climb 30 ft.

Treasure & Loot Common

No significant treasure

Proficiencies & Senses

Saving Throws —
Skills
Stealth +5
Senses
darkvision 30 ft.
passive Perception 10

Characteristics

Damage Vulnerabilities
—
Damage Resistances
bludgeoning, piercing, slashing
Damage Immunities
—
Condition Immunities
charmed, frightened, grappled, paralyzed, petrified, prone, restrained, stunned
Languages —

Traits and Actions

Swarm

Trait
Beasts Rule
The swarm can occupy another creature's space and vice versa, and it can move through any opening large enough for a Tiny rat. It can't regain hit points or gain temporary hit points.

Plague Bite

Trait
Poisoned Condition
A creature that takes damage from the swarm's Bites must succeed on a DC 11 Constitution saving throw or be poisoned for 1 hour. While poisoned this way, the target can't regain hit points.

Slick Tide

Trait
Stealth Rule
The swarm has advantage on Dexterity (Stealth) checks made in water, filth, or refuse.

Bites

Action
Melee Weapon Attack Custom
Melee Weapon Attack: +5 to hit, reach 0 ft., one target in the swarm's space. Hit: 10 (4d4) piercing damage, or 5 (2d4) piercing damage if the swarm has half its hit points or fewer. The target must also make the Plague Bite save.

Scatter

Bonus Action
Opportunity Attacks Custom
When the swarm drops to half its hit points or fewer, it can immediately move up to its speed without provoking opportunity attacks.

Running the encounter

Combat Behavior

Combat Style

Skirmisher / Ambusher. Floods from tight spaces, surrounds weak targets, applies poison debuffs, and scatters when damaged to avoid retaliation. Retreats into water below 25% HP.

Appearance & presence

Monster Description

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