Swarm of Insects
Medium Swarm of Tiny Beasts · · CR 1/2
- Swarm of Tiny Beasts
- Medium
- Tier 1
Ranges across desert, forest, grassland, hill, swamp, underground, urban, and any; Swarm of Insects lists at CR 1/2 as a medium swarm of tiny beasts (unaligned). Sourced from Monster Manual (5e 2014) and Monster Manual (5.5e 2024).
Stat Block
- Challenge Rating
- 1/2
- Type
- Swarm of Tiny Beasts
- Size
- Medium
- Alignment
- —
- Speed
- —
- Habitats
- Desert, Forest, Grassland, Hill, Swamp, Underground, Urban, Any
- Sources
- Monster Manual (5e 2014), Monster Manual (5.5e 2024), Flee, Mortals!
Ecology
Insect swarms occupy almost every ecosystem, from desert locust plagues to subterranean beetle colonies. The species varies but the behavior is consistent: opportunistic feeding on whatever organic matter presents itself. Climate shifts, fungal blooms, and decaying corpse fields trigger swarm formations. Some swarms are commensal with larger predators that benefit from the disturbance, like rocs that feed on locust clouds. Pesticide-bearing druids consider swarm management a sacred duty during agricultural seasons.
Behaviour
A swarm has no individual will; it is a cloud directed by chemical gradients and pheromones. Once feeding begins, it persists until the food source is exhausted or fire drives it off. Swarms communicate through vibration and scent, organizing as if intelligent without any single mind. Some druids commune with swarms by mimicking these signals, redirecting pests with surprising precision. Disturbing a queen at the center can dissolve the swarm entirely.
Origin
Insects predate most magical creatures and are often described as the gods' first attempt at life, a prototype that proved too successful to abandon. Some elemental theories tie insect swarms to the Plane of Earth, particularly burrowing varieties. Goblin shamans tell of an insect god slain in a primordial war whose corpse spawned every tiny scuttling thing. None of these explanations comfort a farmer watching their crops disappear.
Related Monsters
Frequently Asked Questions about Swarm of Insects
- What is the challenge rating of Swarm of Insects?
- Listed CR for Swarm of Insects: 1/2. Match it to a party that suits early-tier-1 encounters.
- What type of creature is Swarm of Insects?
- By creature type, Swarm of Insects is a swarm of tiny beasts, medium size.
- Where does Swarm of Insects live?
- Swarm of Insects's listed habitats include Desert, Forest, Grassland, Hill, Swamp, Underground, Urban, Any.