Ankheg
Large Monstrosity · · CR 2
- Monstrosity
- Large
- Tier 1
CR 2 large monstrosity, unaligned — that's Ankheg. Native to forest, grassland, farmland, badlands, coastal, hill, mountain, and underground. Sourced from Monster Manual (5e 2014) and Monster Manual (5.5e 2024).
Stat Block
- Challenge Rating
- 2
- Type
- Monstrosity
- Size
- Large
- Alignment
- —
- Speed
- —
- Habitats
- Forest, Grassland, Farmland, Badlands, Coastal, Hill, Mountain, Underground
- Sources
- Monster Manual (5e 2014), Monster Manual (5.5e 2024), Flee, Mortals!
Ecology
Ankhegs are giant burrowing insectoids native to fertile soil — farmlands, forest loam, river deltas. Each adult digs a network of 10-foot tunnels that aerate the soil and (ironically) improve crop yields, even as it preys on the farmers. Females nest deep, laying clutches of 10–20 eggs in chambers above the water table. Hatchlings consume earthworms and small mammals; adults take livestock and people.
Behaviour
Ankhegs ambush from below: they sense vibration through their forelegs and burst up through the soil at the largest single creature, biting and grappling. They prefer to drag prey underground to feed in private — a gruesome end. Acid spit is reserved for clustered prey. Ankhegs are solitary except in breeding season; multiple tunnels in one field usually mean one ankheg, not many. Wounded, they retreat underground and seal their tunnel.
Origin
Sages debate whether ankhegs are natural fauna or an experiment of the long-fallen Empire of Bone — a magical breeding program for war-mounts and tunnelers, gone feral. Their carapaces fetch high prices: armorers craft chitin plate, alchemists distill the acid for siege weapons. Whole farming villages employ ankheg-trappers, who lure beasts with vibrating drums and harvest them mercilessly each spring.
Related Monsters
Frequently Asked Questions about Ankheg
- What is the challenge rating of Ankheg?
- Ankheg's challenge rating is 2. A party in this band works against tier-1 parties.
- What type of creature is Ankheg?
- Ankheg is classified as a monstrosity in D&D 5e, large size.
- Where does Ankheg live?
- The bestiary places Ankheg in Forest, Grassland, Farmland, Badlands, Coastal, Hill, Mountain, Underground.