Echolocation. The darkmantle can't use its blindsight while deafened.
False Appearance. While the darkmantle remains motionless, it is indistinguishable from a cave formation such as a stalactite or stalagmite.
Actions
Crush. Melee Weapon Attack: +5 to hit, reach 5 ft., one creature. Hit: 6 (1d6 + 3) bludgeoning damage, and the darkmantle attaches to the target. If the target is Medium or smaller and the darkmantle has advantage on the attack roll, it attaches by engulfing the target's head, and the target is also blinded and unable to breathe while the darkmantle is attached in this way.
While attached to the target, the darkmantle can attack no other creature except the target but has advantage on its attack rolls. The darkmantle's speed also becomes 0, it can't benefit from any bonus to its speed, and it moves with the target.
A creature can detach the darkmantle by making a successful DC 13 Strength check as an action. On its turn, the darkmantle can detach itself from the target by using 5 feet of movement.
Darkness Aura (1/Day). A 15-foot radius of magical darkness extends out from the darkmantle, moves with it, and spreads around corners. The darkness lasts as long as the darkmantle maintains concentration, up to 10 minutes (as if concentrating on a spell). Darkvision can't penetrate this darkness, and no natural light can illuminate it. If any of the darkness overlaps with an area of light created by a spell of 2nd level or lower, the spell creating the light is dispelled.
How many darkmantles for a fight?
A darkmantle is worth 100 XP. Using the 2024 encounter budgets (SRD 5.2), this is how many darkmantles fit each difficulty for a party of four characters of the same level. A dash means even one would be over the budget.
Party level
Low
Moderate
High
1st
2
3
4
2nd
4
6
8
3rd
6
9
12+
4th
10
12+
12+
Budgets add up every monster’s XP, so you can swap some for other creatures of the same total. Try other party sizes and mixes in the encounter calculator.
How the darkmantle compares at CR 1/2
Against the 32 other challenge 1/2 monsters in the SRD 5.1, the darkmantle has more hit points than 15 of them, which makes it a little frailer than most at its CR. See every CR 1/2 monster.
Statistic
Darkmantle
CR 1/2 average
Armor Class
11
12.5
Hit points
22
20
Best attack bonus
+5
+4
Darkmantle 2024 stat block
The 2024 Monster Manual revised the darkmantle, and the SRD 5.2 carries the new stat block. What changed:
Its creature type changed from monstrosity to aberration.
Gone from it: Echolocation and False Appearance.
Armor Class
11
Hit Points
22 (5d6 + 5)
Speed
10 ft., fly 30 ft.
Challenge
1/2 (100 XP)
STR
DEX
CON
INT
WIS
CHA
16 (+3)
12 (+1)
13 (+1)
2 (-4)
10 (+0)
5 (-3)
Senses
blindsight 60 ft., passive Perception 10
Languages
None
Actions
Crush. Melee Attack Roll: +5, reach 5 ft. Hit: 6 (1d6 + 3) Bludgeoning damage, and the darkmantle attaches to the target. If the target is a Medium or smaller creature and the darkmantle had Advantage on the attack roll, it covers the target, which has the Blinded condition and is suffocating while the darkmantle is attached in this way. While attached to a target, the darkmantle can attack only the target but has Advantage on its attack rolls. Its Speed becomes 0, it can’t benefit from any bonus to its Speed, and it moves with the target. A creature can take an action to try to detach the darkmantle from itself, doing so with a successful DC 13 Strength (Athletics) check. On its turn, the darkmantle can detach itself by using 5 feet of movement.
Darkness Aura (1/Day). Magical Darkness fills a 15-foot Emanation originating from the darkmantle. This effect lasts while the darkmantle maintains Concentration on it, up to 10 minutes. Darkvision can’t penetrate this area, and no light can illuminate it.
