Buy me a coffeeBullet Ant Swarm: The Agonizing Jungle Terror
“A writhing tide of venomous agony, the Bullet Ant Swarm erupts from the jungle floor—each sting a scream, each step a death wish.”
A Bullet Ant Swarm manifests as a seething tide of obsidian-red insects, each over an inch long, with chitinous bodies glistening like wet armor. Their hooked mandibles click in a rhythmic cadence, and venomous stingers twitch with anticipation. The swarm moves with eerie precision, undulating across the forest floor like a living current of agony.
Behavior
This hyper-aggressive collective operates with unnerving coordination, as though governed by a singular, primal intelligence. The swarm responds instantly to threats, encircling intruders with terrifying speed. Once engaged, they do not scatter or retreat—they overwhelm, drown, and devour. Their attacks are not random; they are surgical, calculated, and fueled by an ancient, instinctual rage.
Habitat
Bullet Ant Swarms dwell in the deep, primeval jungles—typically beneath the roots of towering ceiba trees or within the vine-choked ruins of long-lost temples. Locals speak of cursed groves where the ground itself writhes with malevolent life. Superstitious guides refuse to tread near these areas, whispering that even the trees scream when the swarm awakens.
Modus Operandi
Camouflaged beneath leaf litter or burrowed into rotting wood, the Bullet Ant Swarm waits in perfect stillness. At the first tremor of movement, they surge forth, engulfing their prey in a black-red blur. Each ant delivers an excruciating sting—capable of inducing hallucinations, temporary paralysis, or mind-shattering pain. The swarm systematically disables and consumes its victims, leaving only scattered bones and abandoned gear.
Motivation
Driven by an overwhelming instinct to protect and purge, the Bullet Ant Swarm acts as the jungle’s immune system—violently rejecting anything foreign. Some believe the swarm is a natural defense, others claim it is the cursed remnant of druidic sorcery or a guardian spirit’s wrath made flesh. Whatever the truth, its purpose is singular and unyielding: Cleanse the wild. Silence the invaders. Feed the forest.
Bullet Ant Swarm 5e
Bullet Ant Swarm, Pathfinder
Bullet Ant Swarm 3.5
Bullet Ant Swarm
Tiny beasts, unaligned
Armor Class 14 (natural armor)
Hit Points 85 (10d8 + 40)
Speed 30 ft., climb 20 ft.
| STR | DEX | CON | INT | WIS | CHA |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 8 (-1) | 16 (+3) | 18 (+4) | 3 (-4) | 12 (+1) | 5 (-3) |
Saving Throws Dex +6, Con +7
Skills Stealth +8, Perception +4
Damage Resistances Piercing; Bludgeoning, Slashing, and Piercing from Nonmagical Attacks
Damage Immunities Poison
Condition Immunities Charmed, Frightened, Grappled, Paralyzed, Petrified, Prone, Restrained, Stunned
Senses Darkvision 60 ft., Tremorsense 30 ft., passive Perception 14
Languages —
Challenge 5 (1,800 XP)
Traits
Swarm. The Bullet Ant Swarm can occupy another creature’s space and vice versa, and it can move through any opening large enough for a Tiny ant. The swarm can’t regain hit points or gain temporary hit points.
Venomous Stings. A creature that starts its turn in the swarm’s space takes 10 (3d6) piercing damage plus 7 (2d6) poison damage and suffers the effects of Agonizing Sting.
Agonizing Sting. The venomous bites inflict overwhelming pain:
- The creature gains 1 level of exhaustion.
- If concentrating on a spell or effect, it must succeed on a DC 15 Constitution saving throw or lose concentration.
- The creature has disadvantage on attack rolls, ability checks, and saving throws until the start of its next turn.
Coordinated Assault (Recharge 5–6). Until the end of its next turn, the swarm’s attacks ignore resistance to piercing damage, and creatures in the swarm’s space have disadvantage on saving throws against the swarm’s poison effects.
Hive Mind. The Bullet Ant Swarm has advantage on Wisdom (Perception) checks and Dexterity saving throws against effects that would cause it to lose control or scatter.
Tremorsense Coordination. The swarm can’t be surprised while it can sense vibrations within 30 feet.
Actions
Multiattack. The Bullet Ant Swarm makes two attacks with its venomous stings.
Venomous Stings. Melee Weapon Attack: +6 to hit, reach 0 ft., one creature in the swarm’s space.
Hit: 10 (3d6) piercing damage plus 7 (2d6) poison damage, and the target suffers the Agonizing Sting effects.
Disorienting Swarm (Recharge 6). The swarm unleashes a sudden, maddening assault of stings and antennae strikes. One creature in the swarm’s space must succeed on a DC 15 Wisdom saving throw or be Confused (as the confusion spell) for 1 minute. The target can repeat the saving throw at the end of each of its turns, ending the effect on a success.
Legendary Actions
The Bullet Ant Swarm can take 1 legendary action, choosing from the options below. Only one legendary action can be used at a time and only at the end of another creature’s turn. The swarm regains spent legendary actions at the start of its turn.
- Swarm Shift. The swarm moves up to half its speed without provoking opportunity attacks.
- Venom Jab. The swarm makes one Venomous Stings attack.
Tactics
- Ambush Predator: Uses stealth and vibration sensing to ambush prey, waiting beneath leaf litter or hollow logs.
- Overwhelm and Debilitate: Engulfs targets, relying on Coordinated Assault to maximize damage and poison effects.
- Disorient to Control: Employs Disorienting Swarm to confuse and weaken tougher opponents.
- Relentless Pursuit: Never disengages, harrying foes with constant venomous attacks until they succumb or escape.
Flavor & Lore
Bullet Ant Swarms are feared as the jungle’s living torment, guardians of sacred groves and ancient ruins. Their venomous sting induces visions of the forest’s wrath, marking boundaries of forgotten places. Those who cross their path must rely on speed and endurance to survive.
Bullet Ant Swarm
Swarm of Tiny Vermin
CR 5
XP 1,600
N Tiny vermin (swarm)
Init +7; Senses darkvision 60 ft.; tremorsense 30 ft.; Perception +12 (blind beyond tremorsense)
DEFENSE
AC 16, touch 16, flat-footed 13 (+3 Dex, +3 size)
hp 66 (12d8 + 12)
Fort +8, Ref +8, Will +2
Defensive Abilities swarm traits, damage reduction 5/slashing; immune mind-affecting effects, poison; resist piercing 5
Weaknesses vulnerable to fire
OFFENSE
Speed 30 ft., climb 20 ft.
Melee swarm (2d6 plus poison)
Space 10 ft.; Reach 0 ft.
Special Attacks venomous sting, agonizing sting, coordinated assault (Ex, recharge 5–6), disorienting swarm (Su, recharge 6)
STATISTICS
Str 6 (-2) | Dex 17 (+3) | Con 12 (+1) | Int — | Wis 14 (+2) | Cha 2 (-4)
Base Atk +9; CMB —; CMD —
Feats Weapon Finesse
Skills Stealth +14, Perception +12
Languages —
SQ swarm traits, hive mind
SPECIAL ABILITIES
Swarm Traits (Ex):
- The swarm can occupy another creature’s space and vice versa and can move through any opening large enough for a Tiny creature.
- The swarm deals automatic damage to creatures in its space and is immune to weapon damage from creatures smaller than Medium size.
- It can’t regain hit points or gain temporary hit points.
Venomous Sting (Ex):
- The Bullet Ant Swarm deals 2d6 piercing damage plus 1d6 Constitution damage per round for 3 rounds to creatures in its space.
- Creatures must succeed on a DC 15 Fortitude save or be poisoned (–2 penalty on attack rolls, ability checks, and saving throws) for 1d4 rounds.
Agonizing Sting (Ex):
- Creatures in the swarm’s space suffer intense pain. At the start of each of their turns, they must succeed on a DC 15 Fortitude save or gain 1 level of exhaustion.
- Concentrating creatures must succeed on a DC 15 Concentration check or lose concentration.
Coordinated Assault (Ex) (Recharge 5–6):
- For 1 round, the swarm gains a +2 bonus on attack rolls and damage, and its venomous sting bypasses damage reduction.
Disorienting Swarm (Su) (Recharge 6):
- The swarm lashes out with antennae and stings. One creature in the swarm’s space must succeed on a DC 15 Will save or be confused (as per confusion spell) for 1d4 rounds. The target may repeat the saving throw each round.
Hive Mind (Ex):
- The swarm has a shared consciousness, granting +4 racial bonus on Perception checks and saving throws against effects that would scatter or disrupt it.
TACTICS
Before Combat: The swarm hides beneath leaf litter, logs, or rocks, using tremorsense and stealth to ambush prey.
During Combat: Quickly occupies the same space as its target, using venomous and agonizing stings to wear down foes.
Coordinated Assault is used against the toughest enemies to maximize damage and bypass DR.
Disorienting Swarm targets spellcasters or heavily armored opponents to sow confusion.
Movement: The swarm relentlessly pursues foes and rarely disengages.
ECOLOGY
Environment: Tropical and subtropical forests
Organization: Solitary or colony (2–3 swarms)
Treasure: None
Alignment: Usually unaligned
DESCRIPTION
The Bullet Ant Swarm is a terrifying collective of tiny, venomous ants known for their excruciatingly painful sting—the worst insect sting known to adventurers. They move with disturbing coordination, overwhelming prey through sheer numbers and relentless venom, exhausting even the hardiest opponents. These swarms often guard sacred groves or ancient ruins, acting as nature’s wardens and tormentors.
Bullet Ant Swarm
Swarm of Tiny Vermin
CR: 5
XP: 1,600
Alignment: Usually Neutral
Size: Large
Type: Vermin (Swarm)
Initiative: +7
Speed: 30 ft. (6 squares), climb 20 ft. (4 squares)
Armor Class: 18 (+3 Dex, +5 swarm), touch 18, flat-footed 15
Hit Points: 54 (12d8)
Saves: Fort +10, Ref +8, Will +5
Damage Reduction: 5/slashing
Vulnerabilities: Fire (double damage)
Immune: Poison, mind-affecting effects
Senses: Darkvision 60 ft., tremorsense 30 ft.; Perception +12 (blind beyond tremorsense)
Offense
Melee: Swarm (2d6 plus venomous sting)
Space/Reach: 10 ft./0 ft.
Special Attacks:
- Venomous Sting (Ex): Deals 2d6 piercing damage plus 1d6 Constitution damage per round for 3 rounds. DC 15 Fort save negates poison (–2 penalty on attack rolls, ability checks, and saves for 1d4 rounds).
- Agonizing Sting (Ex): Creatures in swarm’s space must succeed on DC 15 Fort save at the start of their turn or gain 1 level of exhaustion. Concentrating creatures must succeed on DC 15 Concentration check or lose concentration.
- Coordinated Assault (Ex) (Recharge 5–6): For 1 round, +2 to attack rolls and damage; venomous sting bypasses damage reduction.
- Disorienting Swarm (Su) (Recharge 6): One creature in swarm’s space must succeed on DC 15 Will save or be confused for 1d4 rounds (as per confusion spell). New save each round.
Statistics
Str: 6 (–2) | Dex: 17 (+3) | Con: 12 (+1) | Int: — | Wis: 14 (+2) | Cha: 2 (–4)
Base Attack Bonus: +9
Feats: Weapon Finesse, Improved Initiative
Skills: Hide +15, Move Silently +15, Listen +9, Spot +9
Special Qualities
- Swarm Traits: Can occupy another creature’s space and vice versa; move through openings large enough for Tiny creatures; automatic damage to creatures in space; immune to weapon damage from creatures smaller than Medium; cannot regain hit points or gain temporary hit points.
- Hive Mind (Ex): Shared consciousness grants +4 racial bonus on Perception checks and saving throws against effects that would scatter or disrupt the swarm.
Ecology
Environment: Tropical and subtropical forests
Organization: Solitary or colony (2–3 swarms)
Treasure: None
Tactics
- Before Combat: Hides under leaf litter or logs, using tremorsense and stealth to ambush.
- During Combat: Seeks to occupy the same space as foes, delivering venomous and agonizing stings to rapidly weaken them.
- Uses Coordinated Assault against tough opponents to maximize damage and bypass DR.
- Targets casters and armored foes with Disorienting Swarm to disrupt spellcasting and coordination.
- Relentless in pursuit; rarely disengages once engaged.
Description
A writhing mass of tiny, venomous ants, the bullet ant swarm combines overwhelming numbers with agonizing venom to incapacitate prey. Known for having the most excruciating sting in the natural world, this swarm moves with eerie coordination, relentlessly defending its territory in tropical forests and guarding ancient, forgotten places.