Swarm of Clacker Beetles

Clacker beetles are aggressive subterranean scavengers. Individually they aren’t much of a threat, but they’re never encountered individually. Worker clacker beetles and immature beetles form swarms, and soldiers always scavenge in groups.

The beetles get their name from the deadly clacking sound produced by their mandibles. They can hook their mandibles together and apply tremendous force to the pair, then snap them apart at greater than the speed of sound. The sonic boom this generates hits with the force of a sledgehammer. Clacker beetles use this attack to stun or kill potential prey. When they’re encountered in large groups, the rapid-fire clacking of their mandibles can quickly bring down creatures as large as trolls and ogres. Clacker beetles nest by chewing holes into rock and rubble. A small cavern riddled with clacker beetle tunnels can house hundreds or thousands of the creatures.

They’re fond of shiny objects, much as crows and pack rats are. When clacker beetles infest ancient tombs or other sites where valuables are stored, they’ve been known to snatch nearly all the gold, silver, and jewels and drag it to their nesting site.

Swarm of Clacker Beetles

Medium swarm of Tiny beasts, unaligned
Armor Class 14 (natural armor)
Hit Points 36 (8d8)
Speed 20 ft., climb 20 ft.
STR DEX CON INT WIS CHA
3 (−4) 13 (+1) 10 (+0) 1 (−5) 7 (−2) 1 (−5)

Damage Resistances bludgeoning, piercing, slashing
Damage Immunities thunder
Condition Immunities charmed, frightened, paralyzed, petrified, prone, restrained, stunned
Senses blindsight 10 ft., passive Perception 8
Languages
Challenge 3 (700 XP)

Constant Clacking. A creature that starts its turn in the swarm’s space takes 5 (1d10) thunder damage.

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 creature. The swarm can’t regain hit points or gain temporary hit points.

Actions

Bite. Melee Weapon Attack: +3 to hit, reach 0 ft., one target in the swarm’s space. Hit: 14 (4d6) piercing damage, or 7 (2d6) piercing damage if the swarm has half of its hit points or fewer.

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