Whether you’re facing off against a swarm of aggressive ants or forming alliances with them, giant ants can add an interesting and memorable element to your D&D adventures.

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Giant Ant

Large Beast, Unaligned

Armor Class 14 (natural armor)

Hit Points 22 (5d8) 

Speed 30 ft., climb 30 ft.

STR	DEX	CON	INT	WIS	CHA
13 (+1)	15 (+2)	16 (+3)	4 (-3)	11 (+0)	4 (-3)

Skills Stealth +5 

Senses Blindsight 10 ft., Darkvision 60 ft., Passive Perception 10

Languages none

Challenge 1/2 (100 XP) Proficiency Bonus +2

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Ant Climb. The giant ant can climb difficult surfaces, including upside down on ceilings, without needing to make an ability check.

Pack Tactics. The giant ant has advantage on an attack roll against a creature if at least one of the ant’s allies is within 5 feet of the creature and the ally isn’t incapacitated.

Actions

Bite. Melee Weapon Attack: +4 to hit, reach 5 ft., one creature. Hit: 7 (1d8 + 3) piercing damage, and the target must make a DC 11 Constitution saving throw, taking 9 (2d8) poison damage on a failed save, or half as much damage on a successful one. If the poison damage reduces the target to 0 hit points, the target is stable but poisoned for 1 hour, even after regaining hit points, and is paralyzed while poisoned in this way.

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Giant ants are a stable of science fiction and horror stories. They can also add a fun element to a Dungeons & Dragons (D&D) adventure. Here are several ways you can incorporate them into your campaign:

1. Ant Infestation Quest:
   • A town or village is suffering from a sudden increase in giant ant activity. The party is hired to investigate and eliminate the source of the infestation.
   • The ants may be drawn to a magical artifact or a rare resource in the area, and the party must figure out how to resolve the issue without causing widespread panic.
2. Ant Farm Dungeon:
   • The party stumbles upon a massive underground ant nest that is home to a queen and her minions. This could serve as a unique dungeon setting with tunnels, chambers, and challenges specific to an ant colony.
   • The queen could be guarding a valuable treasure, and the party must navigate the dangers of the nest to reach her and retrieve it.
3. Alliance with Ants:
   • The party encounters a friendly faction of giant ants that can be communicated with through magic or a local druid who can speak with animals.
   • The ants may seek assistance in dealing with a common enemy (another monstrous creature or a rival ant colony), and the party can form an alliance, gaining powerful allies in their adventures.
4. Ant-Mounted Cavalry:
   • In a unique region of your campaign world, certain factions or tribes utilize trained giant ants as mounts. The party could be introduced to a group of ant-mounted warriors, and the ants themselves could be used as a form of transportation.
5. Ant-Mimic Monsters:
   • Shape-shifting creatures that mimic giant ants could create confusion and mistrust in a region. The party must discern between real ants and mimics, adding an element of mystery and danger to their exploration.
6. Ant-Driven Constructs:
   • A mad wizard or artificer has developed a method to create constructs inspired by or powered by giant ants. These constructs could be used for various purposes, such as defense, labor, or even war.
7. Magical Ant Queen:
   • A powerful magical entity has taken the form of a giant ant queen, influencing the behavior of regular ants in the region. The party must find a way to break the enchantment or deal with the magical being responsible.
8. Ant Arena Combat:
   • The party is invited to participate in or spectate an arena-style combat event where adventurers face off against giant ants. This could be part of a larger festival or competition in a city or town.

Remember to tailor the giant ant encounters to your party’s level and the overall tone of your D&D campaign.

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