[RPG] Are there any monsters that consume a player character

dnd-5emonsters

So a long time ago when I played 4e, I remember certain creatures being able to "consume" a player character as an attack option. What creatures does 5e have with similar abilities?

Best Answer

The Legendary Tarrasque for one

From the MM (286):

Swallow The tarrasque makes one bite attack against a Large or smaller creature it is grappling. If the attack hits, the target takes the bite's damage, the target is swallowed, and the grapple ends.

Swallow and Bite

The name of the attack you'd be looking for in the D&D 5E Monster Manual is Swallow. The Giant Frog (MM 325) and Giant Toad (MM 329) also both have this attack.

Sometimes creatures of the Gargantuan size can swallow their opponents as part of another attack. For example the Kraken (MM 197):

Bite. Melee Weapon Attack: +18 to hit, reach 5 ft., one target. Hit: 23 (3d8 + 10) piercing damage. If the target is a Large or smaller creature grappled by the Kraken, that creature is swallowed, and the grapple ends.

Some others:

  • Purple Worm (MM 255)
  • Remorhaz (MM 258)
  • Behir (MM 25)

That's all of them in the Monster Manual that I know of from flipping through.

Engulf

The Gelatinous Cube has been around since the earliest days of D&D and is a staple of D&D dungeons, tales and jokes. It has a a different method of consuming opponents (MM 242):

Engulf The cube moves up to its speed. While doing so, it can enter Large or smaller creatures' spaces. Whenever the cube enters a creature's space, the creature must make a DC 12 Dexterity saving throw.

[...]

On a failed save, the cube enters the creature's space, and the creature takes 10 (3d6) acid damage and is engulfed.

The Shambling Mound (MM 270) also has an Engulf action as does the Water Elemental.

Homebrewing a Swallow or Engulf Action

Some main points you'd want to note for a homebrew are:

  • Does the opponent need to be grappled before they are swallowed?
  • Does the creature do damage before swallowing?
  • How does the swallow affect the opponent?
  • How does the opponent escape the swallow?
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