Beetle (4e Monster)

Author: Dracomortis (talk) Date Created: February 26, 2009 Status: Complete Editing: Clarity edits only please

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Some species of beetles are innocuous and even beneficial, feeding off of carrion and refuse that would otherwise pile up around large cities, but others, particularly amongst the monstrous varieties, can be a dangerous hazard for even experienced adventurers.

Giant Beetle

There are a number of large, mostly harmless beetles referred to simply as giant beetles. They are not considered dangerous, as they attack only if bothered, but can be a threat to small children and animals, who may unknowingly distress the creatures. Still, they are usually driven off, as they feed primarily on vegetation and can devastate crops.

Giant Beetle Level 1 Minion Soldier
Small natural beast XP 25
Initiative +2	Senses Perception +1; darkvision
HP 1; a missed attack never damages a minion.
AC 17; Fortitude 14, Reflex 12, Will 13
Speed 5, climb 2
Bite (standard; at-will)
+6 vs. AC; 4 damage.
Alignment Unaligned	Languages —
Str 16 (+3)	Dex 10 (+0)	Wis 12 (+1)
Con 14 (+2)	Int 1 (-5)	Cha 4 (-3)

Giant Beetle Tactics

If possible, giant beetles prefer to avoid combat, but bite if threatened or startled. They are often found in large groups, which might be dangerous if they are all startled at once.

Giant Beetle Lore

A character knows the following information with a successful Nature check.

DC 15: Giant beetles are considered harmless, only being a threat to those who attack them.

Hoard Scarab, Variant

File:HoardScarab.jpg

Few make the mistake of picking up a hoard scarab twice. Image by David Martin

Also known as a thief's bane beetle, hoard scarabs possess a shiny, metallic shell that comes in many shades of silver or gold. When the sightless creature is inactive, particularly if it burrows in the sand and leaves only its back exposed, it looks exactly like a valuable coin — by the time a would-be treasure seeker realizes his mistake, it is often too late, as the parasitic scarab wastes no time burrowing into the unfortunate victim's flesh. Hoard scarabs are greatly feared in the desert regions they call home because they will often nest amongst actual coins, a habit which gives them their name, and can easily kill those that don't keep their wealth in a secure location; a popular phrase states that greed is the deadliest sin in the desert. Even the occasional young dragon has been forced to give up its hoard because of a scarab infestation.

Note: The hoard scarab officially appears in Draconomicon. The version presented here is meant to convert the scarab into a lurker, which is more in line with its lore, and to give it a couple extra abilities to help it fill that role.

Hoard Scarab Level 1 Lurker
Tiny natural beast (blind) XP 100
Initiative +6	Senses Perception +6; tremorsense 6
HP 24; Bloodied 12
AC 15; Fortitude 14, Reflex 14, Will 13
Speed 4, burrow 2, climb 4
Burrowing Bite (standard; at-will)
+6 vs. AC; 1d6 + 3 damage, and a Small or larger target is grabbed (until escape). A grabbed target takes 5 damage at the start of the hoard scarab's turn.
Imperceptible
A hoard scarab can enter an enemy's space or leave a threatened square without provoking an opportunity attack.
Strike From Below
A hoard scarab gains a +2 bonus on damage rolls against creatures that it has combat advantage against.
Alignment Unaligned	Languages —
Skills Stealth +7
Str 16 (+3)	Dex 15 (+2)	Wis 13 (+1)
Con 12 (+1)	Int 1 (-5)	Cha 9 (-1)

Hoard Scarab Tactics

Hoard scarabs lie in wait just beneath the surface of the sand, or hidden amongst a pile of coins, and waits for a creature to get close enough for it to bite. The scarab immediately attacks the closest creature with its burrowing bite ability and will relentlessly tear into it until the victim dies. In massive groups, hoard scarabs can reduce a human to nothing but bone in a matter of seconds.

Hoard Scarab Lore

A character knows the following information with a successful Nature check.

DC 15: Hoard scarabs are desert-dwelling beetles that resemble coins when inactive. They feed by burrowing into the flesh of other creatures, most of whom fall victim to its attacks because they attempt to "collect" the beetle.

Gem Scarab

File:GemScarab.jpg

A diamond (top), sapphire (left), and emerald scarab. Image by Ron Spears

Gem scarabs are brilliantly-colored beetles that feed primarily off of gemstones and other precious minerals, but they will also consume other creatures that pass by while they are submerged in the earth. Each individual possesses a unique ability, which seems to be tied to the color of the gem formations on its body and what type of gem it consumes the most of — those that feed mostly on rubies, for example, can produce a ray of fire. Because of the similarities in their habits and appearance, many assume that gem scarabs and hoard scarabs are related or even different varieties of the same creature.

Gem Scarab Level 2 Lurker
Small natural magical beast XP 125
Initiative +6	Senses Perception +8; tremorsense 6
HP 38; Bloodied 19
AC 16; Fortitude 17, Reflex 13, Will 14
Speed 8, burrow 2, climb 2, fly 6
Bite (standard; at-will)
+7 vs. AC; 1d6 + 3 damage.
Gem Power (standard; at-will)
Each gem scarab has one of the following powers, which is based on the variety of gem that it possesses. Breath of Emerald (Acid): Close blast 3; +5 vs. Reflex; ongoing 3 acid damage (save ends). Gaze of Onyx: Ranged 5; +5 vs. Fortitude; the target is dazed (save ends). Ruby Ray (Fire): Ranged 5; +5 vs. Reflex; 1d10 + 3 fire damage. Sapphire Burst (Cold): Close burst 2; +5 vs. Fortitude; 1d6 + 3 cold damage. Sparkling Diamond: Close burst 1; +5 vs. Fortitude; the target is blinded (save ends).
Alignment Unaligned	Languages —
Skills Stealth +7
Str 16 (+4)	Dex 12 (+2)	Wis 14 (+3)
Con 20 (+6)	Int 1 (–4)	Cha 10 (+1)

Gem Scarab Tactics

Gem scarabs are creatures of instinct, relying almost wholly on their gem power for protection, and they prefer to strike from just below the surface of the ground. They bite only if the foe proves susceptible to nothing else.

Gem Scarab Lore

A character knows the following information with a successful Arcana check.

DC 15: Gem scarabs are beetles that feed on flesh and precious minerals. The gemstones that they consume allows them to store energy that they then turn into a variety of quasi-magical effects.

Hoard Scarab Swarm

A hoard scarab swarm is a mass of individual beetles gathered in a single small space; some are simply large groups that happen to live in close proximity, while others are coerced by outside forces to gather into a swarm. The sheer number of individual scarabs in a swarm necessitates that they disguise themselves as literal piles of coin, rather than scattered pieces, which makes them all the more deadly when a victim goes to grab one — the entire mound rears up and engulfs the hapless creature. Tales tell of a hidden vault within the desert piled to the roof with treasure that sometimes moves about, but woe to the creature that finds it.

Hoard Scarab Swarm Level 6 Elite Lurker
Large natural beast (blind, swarm) XP 500
Initiative +11	Senses Perception +11; tremorsense 10
Swarm Attack aura 1; the hoard scarab swarm makes a basic attack as a free action against each enemy that begins its turn in the aura.
HP 114; Bloodied 57
AC 20; Fortitude 19, Reflex 19, Will 18
Resist half damage from melee and ranged attacks; Vulnerable 10 against close and area attacks
Saving Throws +2
Speed 6, burrow 4, climb 6
Action Points 1
Burrowing Bite (standard; at-will)
+11 vs. AC; 1d10 + 4 damage, and a Small or larger target is grabbed (until escape). A grabbed target takes 10 damage at the start of the hoard scarab swarm's turn.
Strike From Below
A hoard scarab swarm gains a +4 bonus on damage rolls against creatures that it has combat advantage against.
Alignment Unaligned	Languages —
Skills Stealth +12
Str 19 (+7)	Dex 18 (+7)	Wis 16 (+6)
Con 15 (+5)	Int 1 (–2)	Cha 12 (+4)

Hoard Scarab Swarm Tactics

A swarm behaves much as an individual hoard scarab, but to much more dramatic effect. Their swarm attack aura enables them to bore into multiple creatures at once, and they can easily overwhelm small groups of weaker creatures.

Hoard Scarab Swarm Lore

A character knows the following information with a successful Nature check.

DC 15: Hoard scarab swarms are groups of thousands of individual beetles gathered together that act in concert with one another. They can devour exceptionally large creatures the size of elephants in moments.

Bombardier Beetle

Bombardier beetles possess highly-developed chemical glands in their abdomen that can be used to spray an acidic mist in a surprisingly large spread. Originally a defensive mechanism, monstrous bombardier beetles have adapted to use it as their primary means of killing prey. Although they are not overly aggressive and will usually ignore anything besides its usual prey of small animals, bombardier beetles will attack if startled. They can be found in a wide range of habitats and climates, able to adapt to nearly any food source, and are sometimes kept by more primitive races for protection.

Bombardier Beetle Level 6 Artillery
Large natural beast XP 250
Initiative +7	Senses Perception +5; darkvision
HP 58; Bloodied 29
AC 18; Fortitude 19, Reflex 19, Will 17
Speed 6, climb 4
Bite (standard; at-will)
+13 vs. AC; 1d6 + 4 damage.
Acid Spray (standard; recharge ) ♦ Acid
Close blast 5; +11 vs. Reflex; 1d10 + 4 acid damage, and ongoing 2 acid damage (save ends).
Chemical Surge (free, when first bloodied; encounter) ♦ Acid
The bombardier beetle's acid spray recharges, and the beetle uses it immediately.
Alignment Unaligned	Languages —
Str 18 (+7)	Dex 18 (+7)	Wis 14 (+5)
Con 16 (+6)	Int 1 (-2)	Cha 8 (+2)

Bombardier Beetle Tactics

A bombardier beetle relies almost exclusively on its acid spray ability to kill prey and ward of predators. It bites only when caught in close combat or it is unable to use its spray.

Bombardier Beetle Lore

A character knows the following information with a successful Nature check.

DC 15: Bombardier beetles attack prey with a quick spray of acid from their abdomen. It can do so repeatedly, though it must wait a short period between each spray.

Rhinoceros Beetle

Rhinoceros beetles are among the largest of their kind, growing to lengths of up to 20 feet. The males possess two horns — one attached to their head and another growing straight from their shell, though the latter is used much more frequently — that serve to drive off predators as well as other males during the mating season, and their shells are often brightly colored. Females are much larger than males, sometimes exceeding 30 feet, but they lack horns, possess dull brown or grey chitin, and are encountered much less frequently. The males of the species are unpredictable and prone to attacking without provocation, especially during the mating season, while females will typically ignore anything that doesn't bother them — both, however, are formidable if riled.

Female Rhinoceros Beetle Level 5 Soldier
Gargantuan natural beast XP 200
Initiative +6	Senses Perception +9; darkvision
HP 66; Bloodied 33
AC 21; Fortitude 19, Reflex 17, Will 17
Speed 6
Bite (standard; at-will)
Reach 3; +10 vs. AC; 1d10 + 4 damage.
Death Strike (when reduced to 0 hit points)
The rhinoceros beetle makes a bite attack.
Threatening Reach
The rhinoceros beetle can make opportunity attacks against all enemies within its reach (3 squares).
Alignment Unaligned	Languages —
Str 20 (+7)	Dex 14 (+4)	Wis 15 (+4)
Con 18 (+6)	Int 1 (–3)	Cha 8 (+1)

Male Rhinoceros Beetle Level 9 Solo Soldier
Huge natural beast XP 2,000
Initiative +9	Senses Perception +12; darkvision
HP 400; Bloodied 200
AC 25; Fortitude 23, Reflex 21, Will 21
Saving Throws +5
Speed 6 (8 while charging)
Action Points 2
Gore (standard; at-will)
Reach 2; +14 vs. AC; 2d6 + 5 damage.
Death Strike (when reduced to 0 hit points)
The rhinoceros beetle makes a gore attack.
Trample (standard; at-will)
The rhinoceros beetle can move up to its speed and enter enemies' spaces. This movement provokes opportunity attacks, and the rhinoceros beetle must end its move in an unoccupied space. When it enters an enemy's space, the rhinoceros beetle makes a trample attack: +14 vs. Reflex; 2d8 + 5 damage, and the target is knocked prone.
Concussive Charge
When a rhinoceros beetle charges, its gore deals an extra 5 damage, pushes the target 3 squares, and dazes the target until the end of the rhinoceros beetle's next turn on a hit.
Threatening Reach
The rhinoceros beetle can make opportunity attacks against all enemies within its reach (2 squares).
Alignment Unaligned	Languages —
Str 22 (+10)	Dex 16 (+7)	Wis 17 (+7)
Con 20 (+9)	Int 1 (–1)	Cha 8 (+3)

Rhinoceros Beetle Tactics

A rhinoceros beetle charges the nearest opponent, which can be devastating thanks to its concussive charge ability. If foes are clustered together, it will use trample to attack multiple targets at once, but it otherwise simply relies on its horns to gore its foes.

Rhinoceros Beetle Lore

A character knows the following information with a successful Nature check.

DC 15: Male rhinoceros beetles are aggressive, territorial insects that attack with no provocation whose powerful horns can easily impale a victim. Females are more docile and usually don't attack unless disturbed.

Siege Beetle

File:SiegeBeetle.jpg

Siege beetles are aptly named: even the trails they leave behind look like war zones. Image by Jason Chan

Siege beetles were originally bred by demons to serve as living assault weapons, but many now run rampant across the Abyss and even parts of the Elemental Chaos; their handlers quickly realized that the beasts are more trouble than they are worth. They are terribly destructive creatures and will attack anything and everything that moves (their "masters" included); though many would gladly see the creatures eliminated entirely, most prefer to give the beetles a wide berth rather than fight them. Occasionally a powerful demon will open a portal to the Material Plane and let a siege beetle wander through simply to watch the ensuing destruction, and the effect is certainly devastating: entire cities have simply disappeared without a trace because of a marauding siege beetle.

Siege Beetle Level 24 Solo Soldier
Gargantuan elemental beast XP 30,250
Initiative +20	Senses Perception +24, darkvision
HP 908; Bloodied 567
AC 40; Fortitude 38, Reflex 35, Will 36
Immune lightning, thunder; Resist 30 cold, 30 fire
Saving Throws +5
Speed 8, fly 10 (clumsy)
Action Points 2
Paralyzing Bite (standard; at-will)
Reach 3; +29 vs. AC; 3d6 + 16 damage, and the siege beetle makes a secondary attack against the same target. Secondary Attack: +27 vs. Fortitude; the target is unconscious until the end of the siege beetle's next turn. The siege beetle can use this attack against a target it has grabbed.
Impaling Claw (standard; at-will)
Reach 4; +29 vs. AC; 2d6 + 16 damage, and the target is grabbed (until escape). A grabbed target takes 20 damage at the start of the siege beetle's turn.
Surging Trample (standard; at-will)
The siege beetle can move up to its speed and enter enemies' spaces. This movement provokes opportunity attacks, and the siege beetle must end its move in an unoccupied space. When it enters an enemy's space, the siege beetle makes a trample attack: +27 vs. Reflex; 4d6 + 16 damage, and the target is pushed 3 squares.
Blinding Musk (immediate reaction, when first bloodied; encounter)
Close blast 5; +27 vs. Fortitude; the target is blinded and takes a –2 penalty to all saving throws (save ends both).
Threatening Reach
The siege beetle can make opportunity attacks against all enemies within its reach (3 squares).
Alignment Unaligned	Languages —
Str 29 (+21)	Dex 22 (+18)	Wis 25 (+19)
Con 27 (+20)	Int 1 (+7)	Cha 9 (+11)

Siege Beetle Tactics

A siege beetle is a straightforward combatant, relying on brute force to overcome any obstacles it may face. It will use its paralyzing bite against the same target repeatedly after grabbing it with an impaling claw. If multiple foes assault it at close range, it uses surging trample to attack them all at once and knock them away. Once it has used its blinding musk, a siege beetle will typically use its surging trample much more frequently.

Siege Beetle Lore

A character knows the following information with a successful Arcana check.

DC 25: Siege beetles are colossal insects bred for war by demons deep within the Abyss. They are sometimes purposefully sent to the Material Plane to bring destruction and chaos.

Encounter Groups

Beetles are usually encountered by themselves or as pets and guardians to other creatures. Greenscale lizardfolk are commonly known to keep bombardier beetles near their settlements. Hoard scarabs and hoard scarab swarms can be found nearly anywhere in desert environments, either in hiding or infesting other creatures.

Level 1 Encounter (XP 500) — Infested Giant Beetles

• 8 giant beetles (level 1 minion)
• 3 hoard scarabs (level 1 lurker)

Level 7 Encounter (XP 1,500) — Greenscale Hunting Party

• 2 bombardier beetles (level 6 artillery)
• 2 greenscale darters (level 5 lurker, Monster Manual pg. 178)
• 2 greenscale hunters (level 4 skirmisher, Monster Manual pg. 178)
• 1 greenscale marsh mystic (level 6 controller, Monster Manual pg. 179)

Level 28 Encounter (XP 64,700) — Chaosguard of Orcus

• 6 abyssal ghoul myrmidons (level 23 minion, Monster Manual pg. 119)
• 1 deathpriest hierophant (level 21 elite controller, Monster Manual pg. 209)
• 2 glabrezus (level 23 elite brute, Monster Manual pg. 54)
• 1 siege beetle (level 24 solo soldier)

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