Abyssal Crawler
Small • Fiend (Demon) • Chaotic Evil
Armor Class 13
Hit Points 16 (3d6 + 6)
Speed 30 ft., burrow 10 ft., climb 30 ft.
Initiative +1 (11)
| STR | DEX | CON | INT | WIS | CHA |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 13 (+1) | 13 (+1) | 14 (+2) | 2 (-4) | 8 (-1) | 6 (-2) |
Damage Immunities fire, poison
Condition Immunities poisoned
Senses darkvision 60 ft., passive Perception 9
Languages understands Abyssal but can’t speak
CR 1/2 (XP 100, PB +2)
Avoidance. If the crawler is subjected to an effect that allows it to make a saving throw to take only half damage, it instead takes no damage if it succeeds on the saving throw, and only half damage if it fails.
Spider Climb. The crawler can climb difficult surfaces, including along ceilings, without needing to make an ability check.
Splitting Pest (1/Day). When the crawler is reduced to 0 hit points, it doesn’t die. Instead, it splits into two Tiny versions of itself with 1 hit point.
ACTIONS
Bite. Melee Weapon Attack: +3, reach 5 ft. Hit: 3 (1d4 + 1) fire damage.
Cannibalize. The crawler consumes the corpse of a different abyssal crawler or an alive abyssal crawler with 1 hit point and regains all its hit points.
Combustion. The crawler explodes and dies. Dexterity Saving Throw: DC 12, each creature in a 10-foot emanation originating from the crawler. Failure: 7 (2d6) fire damage. Success: Half damage.
REACTIONS
Skitter. Trigger: A creature misses the crawler with an attack roll. Response: The crawler moves up to 10 feet without provoking opportunity attacks.
Abyssal Crawler
Small • Fiend (Demon) • Chaotic Evil
Armor Class 12
Hit Points 9 (2d6 + 2)
Speed 30 ft., burrow 10 ft., climb 30 ft.
Initiative +0 (10)
| STR | DEX | CON | INT | WIS | CHA |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 11 (+0) | 11 (+0) | 12 (+1) | 2 (-4) | 8 (-1) | 6 (-2) |
Damage Immunities fire, poison
Condition Immunities poisoned
Senses darkvision 60 ft., passive Perception 9
Languages understands Abyssal but can’t speak
CR 1/8 (XP 25, PB +2)
Avoidance. If the crawler is subjected to an effect that allows it to make a saving throw to take only half damage, it instead takes no damage if it succeeds on the saving throw, and only half damage if it fails.
Spider Climb. The crawler can climb difficult surfaces, including along ceilings, without needing to make an ability check.
Splitting Pest (1/Day). When the crawler is reduced to 0 hit points, it doesn’t die. Instead, it splits into two Tiny versions of itself with 1 hit point.
ACTIONS
Bite. Melee Weapon Attack: +2, reach 5 ft. Hit: 2 (1d4) fire damage.
Cannibalize. The crawler consumes the corpse of a different abyssal crawler or an alive abyssal crawler with 1 hit point and regains all its hit points.
Combustion. The crawler explodes and dies. Dexterity Saving Throw: DC 11, each creature in a 10-foot emanation originating from the crawler. Failure: 3 (1d6) fire damage. Success: Half damage.
REACTIONS
Skitter. Trigger: A creature misses the crawler with an attack roll. Response: The crawler moves up to 5 feet without provoking opportunity attacks.
Abyssal Crawler
Small • Fiend (Demon) • Chaotic Evil
Armor Class 14
Hit Points 39 (6d6 + 18)
Speed 30 ft., burrow 10 ft., climb 30 ft.
Initiative +2 (12)
| STR | DEX | CON | INT | WIS | CHA |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 14 (+2) | 15 (+2) | 16 (+3) | 2 (-4) | 8 (-1) | 6 (-2) |
Damage Immunities fire, poison
Condition Immunities poisoned
Senses darkvision 60 ft., passive Perception 9
Languages understands Abyssal but can’t speak
CR 3 (XP 700, PB +2)
Avoidance. If the crawler is subjected to an effect that allows it to make a saving throw to take only half damage, it instead takes no damage if it succeeds on the saving throw, and only half damage if it fails.
Spider Climb. The crawler can climb difficult surfaces, including along ceilings, without needing to make an ability check.
Splitting Pest (2/Day). When the crawler is reduced to 0 hit points, it doesn’t die. Instead, it splits into two Tiny versions of itself with 1 hit point.
ACTIONS
Multiattack. The crawler makes two Bite attacks.
Bite. Melee Weapon Attack: +4, reach 5 ft. Hit: 9 (2d6 + 2) fire damage.
Cannibalize. The crawler consumes the corpse of a different abyssal crawler or an alive abyssal crawler with 1 hit point and regains all its hit points.
Combustion. The crawler explodes and dies. Dexterity Saving Throw: DC 13, each creature in a 10-foot emanation originating from the crawler. Failure: 14 (4d6) fire damage. Success: Half damage.
REACTIONS
Skitter. Trigger: A creature misses the crawler with an attack roll. Response: The crawler moves up to 10 feet without provoking opportunity attacks.
QUICK REFERENCE
USING MONSTER VARIANTS
Monster variants allow the GM to adjust encounters to better match the party’s strength, narrative needs, or world-building logic. A weaker variant may represent a juvenile, wounded, or lesser specimen, while a stronger variant can serve as a leader, champion, ancient creature, or apex predator.
Variants can be used to fine-tune difficulty without changing the core identity of the monster, making them ideal for scaling encounters, reinforcing hierarchy within a faction, or creating memorable boss-style enemies. You can even use the same stat block but different variants in the same encounter if you want.
Design Note. Each monster is primarily balanced around its normal version. Weaker and stronger variants are derived adjustments and may not always preserve every tactical nuance or “feel” of the original creature. GMs are encouraged to review variants carefully and adjust abilities or tactics as needed to best suit their table.