Bite. Melee Weapon Attack: +4 to hit, reach 5 ft., one creature. Hit: 4 (1d4 + 2) piercing damage, and the target must succeed on a DC 11 Constitution saving throw or take 10 (3d6) poison damage. 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.
How many giant centipedes for a fight?
A giant centipede is worth 50 XP. Using the 2024 encounter budgets (SRD 5.2), this is how many giant centipedes 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
4
6
8
2nd
8
12
12+
3rd
12
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 giant centipede compares at CR 1/4
Against the 31 other challenge 1/4 monsters in the SRD 5.1, the giant centipede has more hit points than 1 of them, which makes it one of the frailest at its CR. See every CR 1/4 monster.
Statistic
Giant Centipede
CR 1/4 average
Armor Class
13
11.7
Hit points
4
15
Best attack bonus
+4
+4
Best save DC
11
11
Giant Centipede 2024 stat block
The 2024 Monster Manual revised the giant centipede, and the SRD 5.2 carries the new stat block. What changed:
Armor Class: 13 → 14.
Hit points: 4 → 9.
Armor Class
14
Hit Points
9 (2d6 + 2)
Speed
30 ft., climb 30 ft.
Challenge
1/4 (50 XP)
STR
DEX
CON
INT
WIS
CHA
5 (-3)
14 (+2)
12 (+1)
1 (-5)
7 (-2)
3 (-4)
Senses
blindsight 30 ft., passive Perception 8
Languages
None
Actions
Bite. Melee Attack Roll: +4, reach 5 ft. Hit: 4 (1d4 + 2) Piercing damage, and the target has the Poisoned condition until the start of the centipede’s next turn.
