Ettercap
Medium Monstrosity · · CR 2
- Monstrosity
- Medium
- Tier 1
Ettercap, CR 2, fills the medium monstrosity role with neutral evil disposition. Encounter regions: forest. Sourced from Monster Manual (5e 2014) and Monster Manual (5.5e 2024).
Stat Block
- Challenge Rating
- 2
- Type
- Monstrosity
- Size
- Medium
- Alignment
- —
- Speed
- —
- Habitats
- Forest
- Sources
- Monster Manual (5e 2014), Monster Manual (5.5e 2024)
Ecology
Ettercaps inhabit deep forests, building hidden lairs in the canopy of old-growth trees. Each ettercap commands a brood of giant spiders that share its territory, feeding on prey caught in the shared web network. Ettercaps eat birds, deer, and the occasional traveler, paralyzing prey and storing it in cocoons for later consumption. A single ettercap's web can entangle several acres of forest.
Behaviour
Ettercaps are solitary, intelligent in a primitive way, and fond of clever traps. They communicate with their spider broods through a vibration-tongue tapped on web strands. They mate only every few years, and the male is often eaten afterward. They view human intruders as either prey or rivals, never as equals. They hum tuneless songs while weaving cocoons, a sound that rangers learn to recognize and dread.
Origin
Ettercaps are believed to be the result of an ancient curse, when a forest druid was twisted into a spider-keeper by a vengeful demon. Their spider-like features and humanoid hands let them weave webs and craft simple tools. Some forest tribes capture and worship them as oracles, leaving offerings in exchange for prophetic dreams transmitted through web-vibrations interpreted by tribal shamans.
Related Monsters
Frequently Asked Questions about Ettercap
- What is the challenge rating of Ettercap?
- The CR on Ettercap is 2. That CR matches tier-1 encounter math.
- What type of creature is Ettercap?
- The bestiary type for Ettercap is monstrosity, medium size.
- Where does Ettercap live?
- You'll find Ettercap in Forest according to the bestiary entry.