Giant Insect

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• Level: 4
• School: Conjuration
• Class: Druid
• Casting Time: Action
• Range: 60 feet
• Components: V, S
• Duration: Concentration, up to 10 minutes

You summon a giant centipede, spider, or wasp (chosen when you cast the spell). It manifests in an unoccupied space you can see within range and uses the Giant Insect stat block. The form you choose determines certain details in its stat block. The creature disappears when it drops to 0 Hit Points or when the spell ends.

The creature is an ally to you and your allies. In combat, the creature shares your Initiative count, but it takes its turn immediately after yours. It obeys your verbal commands (no action required by you). If you don't issue any, it takes the Dodge action and uses its movement to avoid danger.

Using a Higher-Level Spell Slot. Use the spell slot's level for the spell's level in the stat block.

Large Beast, Unaligned AC 11 + the spell's level HP 30 + 10 for each spell level above 4 Speed 40 ft. . Climb 40 ft ., Fly 40 ft . (Wasp only)

Senses Darkvision 60 ft .; Passive Perception 12 Languages Understands the languages you know CR None (XP 0; PB equals your Proficiency Bonus)

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Spider Climb. The insect can climb difficult surfaces, including along ceilings, without needing to make an ability check.

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Multiattack. The insect makes a number of attacks equal to half this spell's level (round down). Poison Jab. Melee Attack Roll: Bonus equals your spell attack modifier, reach 10 ft . Hit: 1d6 + 3 plus the spell's level Piercing damage plus 1d4 Poison damage. Web Bolt (Spider Only). Ranged Attack Roll: Bonus equals your spell attack modifier, range 60 ft . Hit: 1d10 +3 plus the spell's level Bludgeoning damage, and the target's Speed is reduced to 0 until the start of the insect's next turn.

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Venomous Spew (Centipede Only). Constitution Saving Throw: Your spell save DC, one creature the insect can see within 10 feet. Failure: The target has the Poisoned condition until the start of the insect's next turn.

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Level 8 Enchantment (Bard, Warlock)

Tactical Usage

Giant Insect provides versatile battlefield control through its diverse form options, each offering unique tactical advantages. The Giant Spider excels at area denial with Web Bolt attacks that immobilize enemies, creating perfect setups for party focus fire. The Giant Centipede serves as a mobile poison delivery system with Venomous Spew affecting multiple targets. The Giant Wasp combines aerial mobility with consistent damage output.

For positioning, use the insect's superior mobility to flank enemies or occupy high ground. All forms possess climbing capabilities, making them excellent for vertical battlefield control. The 10-minute duration provides sustained combat presence, unlike many summoning spells that last only minutes.

Resource management benefits from the spell's concentration requirement - maintain distance from enemies while your summon engages. The creature's independent action economy effectively doubles your combat presence, but requires careful coordination to maximize effectiveness. Choose forms based on encounter type: spiders for area control, centipedes for crowd control, wasps for aerial superiority.

Spell Combinations

Giant Insect synergizes powerfully with battlefield control spells. Combine with Entangle or Spike Growth to create hazardous zones your climbing insect can navigate safely. Web spells stack with spider form's Web Bolt for enhanced immobilization tactics.

For enhanced effectiveness, use Haste on your giant insect to increase its action economy dramatically. Polymorph can transform wounded insects into more durable forms, effectively extending their combat longevity. Invisibility cast on the insect creates devastating ambush opportunities.

Speak with Animals might allow communication with your giant insect, though this depends on DM interpretation. Animal Friendship effects don't apply since the creature is magically conjured rather than naturally occurring. Conjure Animals can create swarms of normal insects to support your giant variant.

Material Component Details

Giant Insect requires only verbal and somatic components, making it exceptionally reliable for druidic spellcasters. The lack of material components means the spell cannot be disrupted through component destruction or theft, providing consistent accessibility in emergency situations.

The purely natural component requirements align perfectly with druidic magic philosophy. No rare materials or expensive focuses are needed, making this spell economical for repeated use. Environmental conditions rarely interfere with the natural energy channeling required.

However, the somatic component requires free hands for effective casting. Consider this limitation when planning spell usage in combat situations where weapon readiness matters. The verbal component can be adapted to natural sounds - insect chirps, clicking, or buzzing - maintaining thematic consistency.

Creator Notes

Giant Insect offers excellent tactical variety without overwhelming complexity. The three distinct forms provide different encounter dynamics while maintaining consistent mechanical frameworks. Use form selection to match specific encounter needs - spiders for control, centipedes for area effects, wasps for mobility.

When designing encounters, remember that giant insects excel in three-dimensional spaces. Vertical battlefields showcase their climbing abilities, while open areas favor wasp mobility. Urban environments might limit flying effectiveness but enhance wall-climbing tactics.

The spell's scaling with higher-level slots creates meaningful progression. Higher-level castings produce significantly more powerful creatures, making the spell remain relevant throughout mid-tier play. Consider how upgraded versions might affect encounter balance - 8th-level giant insects become serious threats.

Environmental Interactions

Giant Insect forms adapt differently to various environments. In forests, spiders blend naturally with trees and undergrowth, gaining effective camouflage. Underground environments favor centipedes, which navigate tight spaces and rough terrain effectively. Open skies provide wasps with unmatched mobility advantages.

Weather conditions affect forms differently. Rain might ground wasps but doesn't impact spiders or centipedes. Cold environments could slow all forms, while hot climates might enhance their natural abilities. Some terrains provide natural advantages - web-covered areas enhance spider effectiveness.

Certain environments pose unique challenges. Areas with strong winds limit wasp flight capabilities. Smooth surfaces might reduce climbing effectiveness for spiders and centipedes. Underwater environments completely negate most insect advantages, though air-pocket caves might provide temporary refuges.

Common Rulings & Clarifications

Form Selection: The insect type must be chosen at casting time and cannot be changed during the spell's duration. This decision should be based on anticipated encounter conditions and tactical needs.

Command Requirements: Verbal commands require no action from the caster but must be intelligible to the creature. Simple commands work best - attack, defend, move, or hide. Complex tactical instructions might be beyond the creature's understanding.

Initiative and Actions: The giant insect shares your initiative count but acts immediately after you. This timing allows for coordinated tactics but prevents the creature from acting before you each round.

Scaling Mechanics: Higher-level spell slots increase AC, hit points, and damage output. The spell level determines the creature's power level, with significant improvements at higher levels making the spell viable throughout mid-tier play.

Alternative Applications

Giant Insect excels in exploration and utility roles beyond combat. Giant spiders can scout ahead using their web-spinning abilities to create temporary bridges or climbing aids. Their Web Bolt can immobilize fleeing suspects or dangerous animals without lethal force.

For investigative scenarios, giant insects provide excellent surveillance options. Wasps can follow targets from above while spiders can climb buildings for observation points. Centipedes excel at underground exploration where their poison abilities deter hostile creatures.

Social encounters benefit from the impressive nature of giant insects. Summoning them for intimidation purposes can resolve conflicts without violence. Some cultures might view giant insects as omens or divine messengers, creating unique diplomatic opportunities.

Related Spells

Conjuration Alternatives: Conjure Animals provides multiple smaller creatures instead of one powerful entity. Conjure Woodland Beings offers more intelligent summons for druids. Conjure Elemental creates more powerful but less versatile allies.

Enhancement Spells: Haste dramatically improves giant insect effectiveness. Stoneskin provides damage resistance, while Barkskin offers defensive bonuses. Polymorph can transform wounded insects into fresh forms.

Thematic Connections: Insect Plague creates swarms of normal insects for area control. Web provides spider-like battlefield control. Poison Spray offers similar poison damage delivery but with shorter range.

Scaling Analysis

Giant Insect scales exceptionally well with higher-level spell slots. The increases to AC, hit points, and damage output create meaningful power progression. 8th-level castings produce creatures with 70+ hit points and multiple attacks, making them formidable battlefield presences.

The spell's effectiveness scales with encounter complexity. Simple encounters might not showcase the creature's full potential, while complex multi-enemy battles allow for tactical maneuvering and positioning advantages. Higher-level encounters benefit from the improved stats and abilities.

Cost-effectiveness improves with level scaling. While higher-level spell slots are valuable resources, the dramatic power increases justify the investment. The extended duration provides excellent value for sustained encounters or exploration scenarios.

Narrative Flavor

Giant Insect manifestation should emphasize the chosen form's natural characteristics enlarged to impressive proportions. Giant spiders should display intricate web-spinning behaviors and predatory patience. Centipedes might demonstrate segmented movement patterns and venomous readiness. Wasps should buzz menacingly while displaying aggressive territorial behavior.

The summoning process can involve natural energy convergence - scattered insects gathering and merging into the giant form, or earth and plant matter molding into insect shapes. The creature should feel like a magnified natural phenomenon rather than an artificial construct.

Different druidic traditions might summon insects with varying appearances. Forest druids might create moss-covered spiders, while desert druids could summon sand-colored centipedes. The giant insect should reflect the caster's connection to their natural environment and personal druidic philosophy.