Claw. Melee Weapon Attack: +4 to hit, reach 5 ft., one target. Hit: 6 (1d8 + 2) bludgeoning damage, and the target is grappled (escape DC 12). The scorpion has two claws, each of which can grapple only one target.
Multiattack. The scorpion makes three attacks: two with its claws and one with its sting.
Sting. Melee Weapon Attack: +4 to hit, reach 5 ft., one creature. Hit: 7 (1d10 + 2) piercing damage, and the target must make a DC 12 Constitution saving throw, taking 22 (4d10) poison damage on a failed save, or half as much damage on a successful one.
How many giant scorpions for a fight?
A giant scorpion is worth 700 XP. Using the 2024 encounter budgets (SRD 5.2), this is how many giant scorpions 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
2nd
—
—
1
3rd
—
1
2
4th
1
2
2
5th
2
4
6
6th
3
5
8
7th
4
7
9
8th
5
9
12
9th
7
11
12+
10th
9
12+
12+
11th
10
12+
12+
12th
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 scorpion compares at CR 3
Against the 21 other challenge 3 monsters in the SRD 5.1, the giant scorpion has more hit points than 3 of them, which makes it one of the frailest at its CR. See every CR 3 monster.
Statistic
Giant Scorpion
CR 3 average
Armor Class
15
14
Hit points
52
60
Best attack bonus
+4
+5
Best save DC
12
12
Giant Scorpion 2024 stat block
The 2024 Monster Manual revised the giant scorpion, and the SRD 5.2 carries the new stat block. What changed:
Ability scores: STR 15 → 16.
Armor Class
15
Hit Points
52 (7d10 + 14)
Speed
40 ft.
Challenge
3 (700 XP)
STR
DEX
CON
INT
WIS
CHA
16 (+3)
13 (+1)
15 (+2)
1 (-5)
9 (-1)
3 (-4)
Senses
blindsight 60 ft., passive Perception 9
Languages
None
Actions
Multiattack. The scorpion makes two Claw attacks and one Sting attack.
Claw. Melee Attack Roll: +5, reach 5 ft. Hit: 6 (1d6 + 3) Bludgeoning damage. If the target is a Large or smaller creature, it has the Grappled condition (escape DC 13) from one of two claws.
Sting. Melee Attack Roll: +5, reach 5 ft. Hit: 7 (1d8 + 3) Piercing damage plus 11 (2d10) Poison damage.
