You’ve Got a Bug Problem

TGIF, y’all! We have more Dungeon Delving on our minds as we roll into this coming weekend! Let’s take a closer look at the next encounter prep inside D&D Beyond’s Tresendar Manor.

This is a brand new area inside Episode 2 of D&D Beyond’s Acquisitions Incorporated free 5e module. We’ll start by picking some of our starting miniatures, and then next week, we’ll share the planned gameboard terrain layout.

We tasked DM Ben with finding some miniatures for Area 8: Charnel Chasm. The module description calls for swarms of insects feasting on dead bodies in a ten-foot deep rift that has opened up in the floor. Angry bugs are always a party, especially when the enemy can go airborne.

Since this encounter was initially written for level characters, two insect swarms (AC 12, HP 22, +3 att/4d4) make sense. However, our players are at level five thanks to all our home-brewed content, so this battle must be bumped up. DM Ben likes the idea of a larger “Momma Bear” bug boss and then a mix of smaller soldiers to create a chaotic swarm buffet vibe.

For the Queen bug, we like this rebased MageKnight Swarmling Mage Spawn. You just pop off the original click base, attach a new base, and then put down some flock. Be sure to check out our popular rebasing tutorial video on our YouTube channel for all the specific steps.

Next, DM Ben will sprinkle in a couple more heavy hitters, including this WizKids’ Swarm of Insects from their Sand and Stone set. Those tiny wasps will combine nicely with this Giant Wasp from Pathfinder Battles Skull and Shackles set.

For anyone looking for some buggy STLs, Schlossbauer has several cool 3D Prints you can slice up for free, including a Monster Flea, Predator Wasp, Mosquito Larvae, Zombie Fly, and Mutated Flea. We’re learning towards the Mosquito Larvae as some additional minion-style monsters and will be printing them this weekend, but can’t make any promises we’ll get them colored up in time (since Mother’s Day is this Sunday).

In terms of the stats, we’re currently devouring this nifty insect Reddit thread but are pondering using a variation of one reader’s Giant Bombardier Beetle stat block (AC 15, 40 HP) for the two larger insect miniatures. We then keep the Swarm of Insects stats as they appear on D&D Beyond.

Our Mosquito Larvae would follow a variation of the Larva stats (AC 9, HP 9, +5 att/1d4+1). We’ll finalize these numbers when we show off this encounter’s gameboard.

Until next time!