Psithalide Skitterling
Tiny • Monstrosity • Lawful Neutral
Armor Class 13
Hit Points 10 (3d4 + 3)
Speed 20 ft., climb 20 ft.
Initiative +3 (13)
| STR | DEX | CON | INT | WIS | CHA |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 5 (-3) | 16 (+3) | 12 (+1) | 7 (-2) | 10 (+0) | 7 (-2) |
Saving Throws Dex +5
Skills Acrobatics +5, Perception +4, Stealth +4
Damage Resistances lightning
Senses darkvision 60 ft., passive Perception 14
Languages telepathy 30 ft.
CR 1/4 (XP 50; PB +2)
Avoidance. If the psithalide 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 save and half damage if it fails. It can't use this trait if it is incapacitated.
Spider Climb. The psithalide can climb difficult surfaces, including along ceilings, without needing to make an ability check.
ACTIONS
Nerve Shock. Melee Spell Attack: +5, reach 5 ft. Hit: 2 (1d4) lightning damage plus 2 (1d4) psychic damage. If this attack scores a critical hit, the target becomes stunned until the end of its next turn.
Sabotage. The psithalide targets an object that is not worn or carried and magically warps its perception. To use or understand the object, a creature must first succeed on a DC 10 Intelligence check. For every 10 minutes the psithalide repeats this action uninterrupted on its subsequent turns, the DC increases by 1, to a maximum of 15. The effect lasts 24 hours, until the psithalide uses this ability on a different object, or until it is dispelled with a dispel magic spell or similar magic.
BONUS ACTIONS
Nimble Escape. The psithalide takes the Disengage or Hide action.
Psithalide Skitterling
Tiny • Monstrosity • Lawful Neutral
Armor Class 14
Hit Points 45 (10d4 + 20)
Speed 20 ft., climb 20 ft.
Initiative +4 (14)
| STR | DEX | CON | INT | WIS | CHA |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 5 (-3) | 18 (+4) | 14 (+2) | 7 (-2) | 13 (+1) | 7 (-2) |
Saving Throws Dex +6
Skills Acrobatics +6, Perception +5, Stealth +6
Damage Resistances lightning
Senses darkvision 60 ft., passive Perception 15
Languages telepathy 30 ft.
CR 2 (XP 450; PB +2)
Avoidance. If the psithalide 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 save and half damage if it fails. It can't use this trait if it is incapacitated.
Spider Climb. The psithalide can climb difficult surfaces, including along ceilings, without needing to make an ability check.
ACTIONS
Multiattack. The psithalide makes two Nerve Shock attacks.
Nerve Shock. Melee Spell Attack: +5, reach 5 ft. Hit: 4 (1d8) lightning damage plus 4 (1d8) psychic damage. If this attack scores a critical hit, the target becomes stunned until the end of its next turn.
Sabotage. The psithalide targets an object that is not worn or carried and magically warps its perception. To use or understand the object, a creature must first succeed on a DC 11 Intelligence check. For every 10 minutes the psithalide repeats this action uninterrupted on its subsequent turns, the DC increases by 1, to a maximum of 18. The effect lasts 24 hours, until the psithalide uses this ability on a different object, or until it is dispelled with a dispel magic spell or similar magic.
BONUS ACTIONS
Nimble Escape. The psithalide takes the Disengage or Hide action.
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.