Swarm of Rats

The Nature of Swarms

The swarms presented here aren’t ordinary or benign assemblies of little creatures. They form as a result of some sinister or unwholesome influence. A vampire can summon swarms of bats and rats from the darkest corners of the night, while the very presence of a mummy lord can cause scarab beetles to boil up from the sand-filled depths of its tomb. A hag might have the power to turn swarms of ravens against her enemies, while a yuan-ti abomination might have swarms of poisonous snakes slithering in its wake. Even druids can’t charm these swarms, and their aggressiveness is borderline unnatural.

title: Swarm of Rats
![](/Mechanics/CLI/bestiary/beast/token/swarm-of-rats.webp#token)
*Medium beast, Unaligned*
 
- **Armor Class** 10 
- **Hit Points** 24 (7d8 - 7) 
- **Speed** 30 ft.
 
|STR|DEX|CON|INT|WIS|CHA|
|:---:|:---:|:---:|:---:|:---:|:---:|
| 9 (-1)|11 (+0)| 9 (-1)| 2 (-4)|10 (+0)| 3 (-4)|
 
- **Proficiency Bonus** +2
- **Saving Throws** ⏤
- **Skills** ⏤
- **Senses** [darkvision](/Mechanics/CLI/senses.md#Darkvision) 30 ft., passive Perception 10
- **Damage Resistances** bludgeoning, piercing, slashing
- **Condition Immunities** [charmed](/Mechanics/CLI/conditions.md#Charmed), [frightened](/Mechanics/CLI/conditions.md#Frightened), [grappled](/Mechanics/CLI/conditions.md#Grappled), [paralyzed](/Mechanics/CLI/conditions.md#Paralyzed), [petrified](/Mechanics/CLI/conditions.md#Petrified), [prone](/Mechanics/CLI/conditions.md#Prone), [restrained](/Mechanics/CLI/conditions.md#Restrained), [stunned](/Mechanics/CLI/conditions.md#Stunned)
- **Languages** —
- **Challenge** 1/4
 
## Traits
 
***Keen Smell.*** The swarm has advantage on Wisdom ([Perception](/Mechanics/CLI/skills.md#Perception)) checks that rely on smell.
 
***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 rat. The swarm can't regain hit points or gain temporary hit points.
 
## Actions
 
***Bites.*** *Melee Weapon Attack:* `+2` to hit, reach 0 ft., one target in the swarm's space. *Hit:* 7 (`2d6`) piercing damage, or 3 (`1d6`) piercing damage if the swarm has half of its hit points or fewer.

Environment

swamp, urban

Sources

Monster Manual p. 339. Available in the SRD and the Basic Rules (2014)