Plagueling
Tiny • Monstrosity • Unaligned
Armor Class 11
Hit Points 1 (1d4 − 1)
Speed 20 ft., climb 20 ft., swim 20 ft.
Initiative +1 (11)
| STR | DEX | CON | INT | WIS | CHA |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 (−5) | 12 (+1) | 8 (−1) | 1 (−5) | 7 (−2) | 2 (−4) |
Damage Immunities poison
Condition Immunities poisoned
Senses darkvision 60 ft., passive Perception 8
Languages –
CR 1/8 (XP 25; PB +2)
Volatile. When the plagueling dies, it explodes. Constitution Saving Throw: DC 9, each creature in a 5-foot emanation originating from the plagueling. Failure: 1 poison damage.
Plague Carrier. When the plagueling deals poison damage to a creature, that creature must roll 1d6 to determine which of its ability scores gets reduced by 1: 1 - Strength, 2 - Dexterity, 3 - Constitution, 4 - Intelligence, 5 - Wisdom, or 6 - Charisma. If any of the target's scores are reduced to 0 by this, it dies, and 2d4 plaguelings rise from its corpse 1d4 hours later. This reduction to a creature's score maximum lasts until cured by a lesser restoration spell or similar magic.
Spider Climb. The plagueling can climb difficult surfaces, including upside down on ceilings, without needing to make an ability check.
ACTIONS
Bite. Melee Weapon Attack: +3, reach 5 ft. Hit: 1 piercing damage, and the plagueling attaches to the target. While attached, it can't attack, and at the start of each of the plagueling's turns, the target takes 1 poison damage. The attached plagueling moves with the target whenever it moves, requiring none of its own movement. The plagueling can detach itself by spending 5 feet of its movement on its turn. A creature, including the target, can use its action to detach a plagueling.
Plagueling
Tiny • Monstrosity • Unaligned
Armor Class 13
Hit Points 31 (7d4 + 14)
Speed 20 ft., climb 20 ft., swim 20 ft.
Initiative +3 (13)
| STR | DEX | CON | INT | WIS | CHA |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 (−5) | 16 (+3) | 14 (+2) | 1 (−5) | 7 (−2) | 2 (−4) |
Damage Immunities poison
Condition Immunities poisoned
Senses darkvision 120 ft., passive Perception 8
Languages –
CR 1 (XP 200; PB +2)
Volatile. When the plagueling dies, it explodes. Constitution Saving Throw: DC 12, each creature in a 5-foot emanation originating from the plagueling. Failure: 9 (2d8) poison damage. Success: Half damage.
Plague Carrier. When the plagueling deals poison damage to a creature, that creature must roll 1d6 to determine which of its ability scores gets reduced by 1: 1 - Strength, 2 - Dexterity, 3 - Constitution, 4 - Intelligence, 5 - Wisdom, or 6 - Charisma. If any of the target's scores are reduced to 0 by this, it dies, and 2d4 plaguelings rise from its corpse 1d4 hours later. This reduction to a creature's score maximum lasts until cured by a lesser restoration spell or similar magic.
Spider Climb. The plagueling can climb difficult surfaces, including upside down on ceilings, without needing to make an ability check.
ACTIONS
Bite. Melee Weapon Attack: +5, reach 5 ft. Hit: 8 (2d4 + 3) piercing damage, and the plagueling attaches to the target. While attached, it can't attack, and at the start of each of the plagueling's turns, the target takes 10 (3d6) poison damage. The attached plagueling moves with the target whenever it moves, requiring none of its own movement. The plagueling can detach itself by spending 5 feet of its movement on its turn. A creature, including the target, can use its action to detach a plagueling.
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.