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Message: <blockquote data-quote="Quickleaf" data-source="post: 7925112" data-attributes="member: 20323">Like zombie hordes or orc war camps, I've found my best success using swarms has been as a hazard/obstacle to be dealt with, navigated, or circumvented through clever play, rather than than a monster to kill. Similar to how 5e translated the green slime as a dungeon hazard – rather than a monster – I think a similar approach to swarms makes a lot of sense.I haven't written this down before, but my approach looks a lot like this (using an actual play example)...Swarm of Aquatic CentipedesA massive swarm of undulating writhing centipedes clings to the walls and ceiling of this chamber with an underground pond. These particular centipedes glow 5-ft dim light when in darkness, in hues of neon green, purple, and orange, due to their phosphorescent diet. They are indifferent unless disturbed (e.g. PC climbing walls), harmed, or the caverns carved from the bowels of the dead dracolich become flooded or drip with acid (related to the story). Once they become hostile, use the following rules:The swarm acts on three randomly determined initiative counts, each determined by rolling a d20. When it acts, a mass of centipedes crawls over a randomly character in the chamber (including PCs in the water or flying/levitating PCs which centipedes drop down onto). The character must make a DC 11 Dexterity save or take 10 (4d4) piercing damage, or half as much damage on a successful save. A creature reduced to 0 hit points by the swarm is stable but poisoned for 1 hour, even after regaining hit points, and paralyzed while poisoned in this way. Any character wielding open flame has advantage on their Dexterity save against the swarm, which has an aversion to fire.Additionally, any PC moving across the walls or swimming through the water must make a DC 11 check (could be Athletics, Acrobatics, or Stealth, depending on what player attempts) to avoid agitating the centipedes. Each time the centipedes are agitated, they force the agitating PC to make a DC 11 Dexterity save as above, and then the damage the swarm deals increases by +1d4 for the rest of the encounter (up to a maximum of 8d4).An unconscious and poisoned/paralyzed PC who falls into the water automatically fails one death saving throw on each initiative count of the swarm as swimming centipedes swarm the victim (though will not be further targeted by Dex saves).Any area effect spell, thrown lantern, similar burst effect, or enchantment spell targeting multiple beasts will kill / frighten / pacify one-third of the centipede swarm, causing the swarm to lose its lowest initiative count. Three such spells or effects eliminate the threat posed by the swarm. Clever spellcasting, skill checks, or bardic music might also be able to slowly pacify the swarm, reducing the damage it deals at the DM's discretion, and if damage is reduced to 0d4 then the swarm is no longer hostile.</blockquote>

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