Buy me a coffeeGiant Bombardier Beetle
“This six-foot armored juggernaut unleashes boiling acid blasts to incinerate intruders—dare you disturb the carrion colossus?”
Measuring up to six feet in length, the Giant Bombardier Beetle boasts a robust, chitinous exoskeleton with metallic hues ranging from deep bronze to iridescent green. Its elongated abdomen houses specialized glands capable of producing a scalding chemical spray. The beetle’s powerful mandibles and segmented antennae aid in both predation and environmental sensing.
Habitat
Preferring warm, moist environments, these beetles are commonly found in undisturbed forests, riverbanks, and floodplains. They construct nests from gathered carrion and decaying vegetation, providing both sustenance and a breeding ground for their offspring.
Behavior & Modus Operandi
Primarily nocturnal, the Giant Bombardier Beetle scavenges for carrion and hunts smaller invertebrates. When threatened, it employs a unique defense: mixing hydroquinone and hydrogen peroxide within its abdominal chambers, catalyzed by enzymes to produce a boiling, noxious spray expelled with an audible pop. This chemical reaction can be directed with remarkable accuracy, deterring predators effectively.
Motivation
Driven by survival instincts, the Giant Bombardier Beetle’s primary motivations include self-defense, reproduction, and sustaining its nest. Its aggressive defense mechanism ensures the protection of its territory and progeny, making it a resilient and formidable presence in its ecosystem.
Giant Bombardier Beetle 5e
Giant Bombardier Beetle 3.5
Giant Bombardier Beetle
Medium Beast, Unaligned
Armor Class 16 (Natural Armor)
Hit Points 19 (3d8 + 6)
Speed 30 ft.
| STR | DEX | CON | INT | WIS | CHA |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 15 (+2) | 10 (+0) | 14 (+2) | 1 (−5) | 10 (+0) | 3 (−4) |
Saving Throws Con +4
Damage Resistances Acid
Senses Darkvision 60 ft., Passive Perception 10
Languages —
Challenge 2 (450 XP)
Traits
Keen Smell. The beetle has advantage on Wisdom (Perception) checks that rely on smell.
Carrion Nesting. The beetle is often found near heaps of carrion, which it uses for nesting and laying eggs.
Actions
Bite. Melee Weapon Attack: +4 to hit, reach 5 ft., one target. Hit: 7 (1d8 + 3) piercing damage.
Acid Spray (Recharge 5–6). The beetle releases a 10-foot cone of acidic vapor. Each creature in that area must make a DC 13 Dexterity saving throw, taking 9 (2d8) acid damage on a failed save, or half as much damage on a successful one.
Tactics
Giant Bombardier Beetles are generally non-aggressive, attacking only to defend themselves, their nests, or their eggs. When threatened, they use their Acid Spray to deter predators before retreating.
Giant Bombardier Beetle
These creatures feed primarily on carrion and offal, gathering heaps of the stuff in which to build nests and lay eggs. A giant bombardier beetle is about 6 feet long. Giant bombardier beetles normally attack only to defend themselves, their nests, or their eggs.
| Giant bombardier beetle | |
| Medium vermin | |
| Hit Dice | 2d8+4 (13 hp) |
| Initiative | +0 |
| Speed | 30 ft. (6 squares) |
| Armor Class | 16 (+6 natural), touch 10, flat-footed 16 |
| Base Attack/Grapple | +1/+2 |
| Attack | Bite +2 melee (1d4+1) |
| Full Attack | Bite +2 melee (1d4+1) |
| Space/Reach | 5 ft./5 ft. |
| Special Attacks | Acid spray |
| Special Qualities | Darkvision 60 ft., vermin traits |
| Saves | Fort +5, Ref +0, Will +0 |
| Abilities | Strength 13, Dexterity 10, Constitution 14, Intelligence -, Wisdom 10, Charisma 9 |
| Skills | – |
| Feats | – |
| Environment | Warm forests |
| Organization | Cluster (2-5) or click (6-11) |
| Challenge Rating | 2 |
| Advancement | 3-4 HD (Medium); 5-6 HD (Large) |
| Level Adjustment | – |
Acid Spray (Ex) When attacked or disturbed, the creature can release a 10-foot cone of acidic vapor once per round. Those within the cone must succeed on a DC 13 Fortitude save or take 1d4+2 points of acid damage. The save DC is Constitution-based.