Want to catch lightning in a jar? This new monster for Dungeons & Dragons is a fist-sized beetle that uses electricity to defend itself and attract mates.
Lightning Beetle
Tiny Monstrosity, Unaligned
Armor Class 12 (natural armor)
Hit Points 7 (2d4 + 2)
Speed 20 ft., climb 20 ft., fly 30 ft.
| STG | DEX | CON | INT | WIS | CHA |
| 3 (-4) | 14 (+2) | 12 (+1) | 2 (-4) | 7 (-2) | 1 (-5) |
Damage Immunities Lightning
Senses Darkvision 60 ft., passive Perception 8
Languages none
Challenge 1/4 (50 XP)
Illumination. The lightning beetle sheds bright light in a 10-foot radius and dim light for an additional 10 feet.
Lightning Aura. Any creature that starts its turn within 5 feet of the lightning beetle takes 3 (1d6) lightning damage.
Actions
Bite. Melee Weapon Attack: +4 to hit, reach 5 ft., one target. Hit: 1 piercing damage plus 2 (1d4) lightning damage.
Lightning Blast (Recharge 5-6). Ranged Spell Attack: +4 to hit, range 30 ft., one target. Hit: 5 (2d4) lightning damage.
The Lightning Beetle is an insectoid creature that is about the size of a fist. It has a dark blue exoskeleton that seems to shimmer in the light, with a pair of small wings and six legs that allow it to move quickly and climb up walls and other surfaces.
Despite its fearsome appearance, the Lightning Beetle is not typically aggressive and tends to avoid conflict whenever possible. It spends most of its time scurrying around dark, damp areas like caves, ruins, or other places that are likely to harbor insects or other small creatures it can prey upon.
When threatened, the Lightning Beetle will attempt to intimidate its attacker by flashing its bright light and emitting sparks of electricity. If that doesn’t work, it will resort to biting and using its powerful lightning blast to defend itself.
Live beetles are often collected by gnomes and artificers to power mechanical contraptions. The carapaces of dead beetles can be ground up and used as an ingredient in a Potion of Lightning Breath.
Would you like to see more homebrew D&D monsters, magic items and spells? Follow us on Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter and send us your suggestions!
Subscribe to get weekly free homebrew content for Dungeons and Dragons 5th edition and One D&D delivered to your inbox.
One response to “Lightning Beetle – new DnD monster”
[…] potion’s blue liquid shimmers and sparks inside its bottle. Lightning beetle carapace and behir blood are the potion’s primary […]