AC 13 (natural armor), 10 while prone
HP 11 (2d8 + 2; bloodied 5)
Speed 30 ft., burrow 10 ft.
Proficiency +2; Maneuver DC 12
Damage Resistances acid
Senses tremorsense 30 ft., passive Perception 12
Languages —
ACTIONS
Bite. Melee Weapon Attack: +4 to hit, reach 5 ft., one target. Hit: 5 (1d6 + 2) slashing damage.
Claws. Melee Weapon Attack: +4 to hit, reach 5 ft., one Medium or smaller creature. Hit: 4 (1d4 + 2) slashing damage, and the target makes a DC 12 Strength check. On a failure, it is knocked prone . If the target is already prone, the ankheg spawn can instead move up to half its Speed, dragging the target with it.
Acid Spit. Ranged Weapon Attack: +3 to hit, range 30 ft., one creature. Hit: 4 (1d8) acid damage.
Combat
Ankheg spawn attack in a pack, surrounding their prey if possible. When attacking a group, some ankheg spawn use their claws to drag one victim away, while other spawn occupy the victim’s allies by biting and spitting acid.
Legends & Lore
With a History or Nature check, characters can learn the following:
DC 10 Ankhegs are giant insects that burst out of the ground and attack people and livestock.
DC 15 Ankhegs bite off people’s heads and spit acid. They have a hard exoskeleton but a vulnerable underbelly.
DC 20 Ankheg tunnels sometimes contain a huge ankheg queen and dozens of young, each bigger and fiercer than a mastiff.
Ankheg spawn rarely leave their tunnels except when they reach adulthood or during their periodic swarms, but they chase and devour any who enter their lair.
1–4 Bursts from the earth to attack
5 Half aboveground, eating prey
6 Dragging a struggling humanoid into its hole
1 Partially collapsed tunnels (possibly containing treasure from a previous victim)
2 Acid-scarred trees
3 The ground vibrating as if something is digging below
4 A big, half-buried, grasshopper-like shed skin
CR 0–2 ankheg ; 2 to 4 ankheg spawn
CR 3–4 2 ankhegs ; ankheg queen ; ankheg with 2 to 4 ankheg spawn ; 1d4 + 4 ankheg spawn
Treasure platinum armlet (250 gp), ancient brass key to an unknown door, 2 potions of healing
CR 5–10 ankheg queen with 2 or 3 ankhegs or 1d8 + 4 ankheg spawn ; 1d10 + 10 ankheg spawn
Treasure 900 sp, 450 gp, vial made of glass as hard as steel (250 gp)