Swamp Encounters
Welcome to the murky and mysterious realm of swamp encounters in Dungeons & Dragons 5th Edition! Venturing into the treacherous and enchanting swamplands of your campaign offers a myriad of challenges and surprises for both players and Dungeon Masters alike. From the croaking symphony of unseen creatures to the hanging moss that shrouds secrets, the swamp is a hotbed of untapped potential for unforgettable tabletop adventures.
Here are some examples of encounters you can run in a swamp. Whether you’re looking for encounters with creatures like lizardfolk, shambling mounds, or eerie will-o’-wisps, or seeking inspiration for navigating the perils of treacherous terrain and hidden ruins, we’ve got you covered. So, grab your adventurer’s gear, prepare for the squelching of mud underfoot, and immerse yourself in the atmospheric and captivating world of swamp encounters in Dungeons & Dragons.
Encounter Name: Will-o’-the-Wisps’ Temptation
Description: The party sees mysterious lights leading them deeper into the swamp. As they follow, they encounter treacherous terrain and are drawn toward a dangerous marsh.
Enemies
Will-o’-the-Wisps
- Tiny Undead, chaotic evil
- Armor Class 19
- Hit Points 22 (5d8)
- Speed 0 ft., fly 50 ft.
Shock: +6 to hit, 2d8 lightning damage
Terrain
This encounter takes place in the murky swamp, with hazardous terrain and hidden dangers.
Tactics
- The Will-o’-the-Wisps attempt to lead the party into dangerous areas, using their illusions to deceive and separate.
Encounter Name: Bog Wraiths’ Ambush
Description: Bog wraiths rise from the swamp waters, attacking the party with cold and necrotic energies. The swamp itself seems to aid their malevolent intentions.
Enemies
Bog Wraiths
- Medium Undead, neutral evil
- Armor Class 15
- Hit Points 45 (7d8 + 14)
- Speed 0 ft., swim 40 ft.
Chill Touch: +5 to hit, 3d8 cold damage
Terrain
This encounter takes place in a dense swamp with deep, murky waters.
Tactics
- The Bog Wraiths use the swamp terrain to their advantage, submerging and reappearing to surprise the party.
Encounter Name: Swamp Hag’s Curse
Description: The party encounters a hag in the swamp who offers to lift a curse in exchange for a dark favor. They must decide whether to accept the offer.
Enemies
Swamp Hag
- Medium Fey, chaotic evil
- Armor Class 17 (natural armor)
- Hit Points 82 (11d8 + 33)
- Speed 30 ft.
Claw: +6 to hit, 2d8 + 3 slashing damage
Terrain
This encounter takes place in a murky clearing within the swamp.
Tactics
- The Swamp Hag presents the party with a choice: perform a dark task for her, or continue suffering the curse.
Encounter Name: Quicksand Peril
Description: The party unknowingly steps into a patch of quicksand within the swamp. They must make Dexterity saving throws to escape sinking.
Enemies
None
Terrain
This encounter takes place in a deceptively solid-looking part of the swamp with hidden quicksand.
Tactics
- The party must make careful choices and Dexterity saving throws to avoid sinking into the quicksand.
Encounter Name: Crocodile Ambush
Description: A group of hungry crocodiles lurk in the swamp waters, waiting for the perfect moment to ambush the party.
Enemies
Swamp Crocodiles
- Large Beast, unaligned
- Armor Class 12 (natural armor)
- Hit Points 49 (9d10)
- Speed 20 ft., swim 40 ft.
Bite: +4 to hit, 2d10 + 2 piercing damage
Terrain
This encounter takes place in a section of the swamp with both shallow and deep waters.
Tactics
- The crocodiles use stealth to approach the party, attempting to drag members into the water.
Encounter Name: Marsh Gas Ignition
Description: Flammable marsh gas builds up in a swampy area. A single spark could lead to a fiery explosion, endangering the party.
Enemies
None
Terrain
This encounter takes place in a swamp with pockets of flammable gas.
Tactics
- The party must navigate the area carefully, avoiding open flames and potential sources of ignition.
Encounter Name: Lizardfolk Ambush
Description: A group of lizardfolk, protective of their swamp territory, launch an ambush on the party, using guerrilla tactics.
Enemies
Lizardfolk Warriors
- Medium Humanoid (lizardfolk), neutral
- Armor Class 15 (natural armor)
- Hit Points 33 (6d8 + 6)
- Speed 30 ft., swim 30 ft.
Multiattack: The lizardfolk makes two melee attacks.
Terrain
This encounter takes place in a swampy area with dense vegetation and water.
Tactics
- The lizardfolk use hit-and-run tactics, retreating into the swamp after attacking.
Encounter Name: Swampy Fog Ambush
Description: A thick, magical fog descends upon the party as they traverse the swamp. Hidden dangers lurk within the obscured visibility.
Enemies
Swamp Shadows
- Medium Undead, chaotic evil
- Armor Class 12
- Hit Points 16 (3d8 + 3)
- Speed 40 ft.
Strength Drain: +3 to hit, 2d6 necrotic damage
Terrain
This encounter takes place in a swamp enveloped in a magical, obscuring fog.
Tactics
- The party must navigate carefully through the fog, avoiding unseen dangers.
Encounter Name: Giant Mosquito Swarm
Description: A massive swarm of giant mosquitoes descends upon the party, thirsting for blood.
Enemies
Mosquito Swarm
- Tiny Beast, unaligned
- Armor Class 12
- Hit Points 22 (5d8)
- Speed 20 ft., fly 40 ft.
Blood Drain: +3 to hit, 3d6 piercing damage
Terrain
This encounter takes place in a mosquito-infested part of the swamp.
Tactics
- The mosquitoes swarm and attempt to drain the blood of party members.
Encounter Name: Quagmire Beast
Description: The party stumbles upon a massive, tentacled creature lurking beneath the swamp’s surface. The quagmire beast seeks to pull prey into its depths.
Enemies
Quagmire Beast
- Huge Aberration, neutral
- Armor Class 14 (natural armor)
- Hit Points 94 (9d12 + 36)
- Speed 20 ft., swim 40 ft.
Tentacle Grapple: +6 to hit, 2d8 + 4 bludgeoning damage
Terrain
This encounter takes place in a murky swamp with deep waters.
Tactics
- The quagmire beast uses its tentacles to grapple and pull party members into the water.
Encounter Name: Swamp Witch’s Curse
Description: The party encounters a swamp witch who offers them a choice: a powerful boon in exchange for a cursed artifact. They must decide whether to accept the offer.
Enemies
Swamp Witch
- Medium Humanoid, chaotic neutral
- Armor Class 12
- Hit Points 27 (6d8)
- Speed 30 ft.
Hex: +5 to hit, 2d6 necrotic damage
Terrain
This encounter takes place in a mystical part of the swamp with twisted trees and eerie lights.
Tactics
- The Swamp Witch presents the party with a choice: accept a powerful boon at a cost or decline the offer.
Encounter Name: Poisonous Thicket
Description: The party unknowingly wanders into a thicket filled with poisonous plants. They must make Constitution saving throws to avoid the effects of the toxic flora.
Enemies
None
Terrain
This encounter takes place in a dense thicket within the swamp.
Tactics
- The party must make Constitution saving throws to avoid being poisoned by the toxic plants.
Encounter Name: Swamp Elemental Convergence
Description: The party witnesses the convergence of swamp elementals, creating a powerful, chaotic force that must be dealt with.
Enemies
Swamp Elementals
- Medium Elemental, neutral
- Armor Class 13 (natural armor)
- Hit Points 45 (7d8 + 14)
- Speed 30 ft., swim 30 ft.
Slam: +4 to hit, 1d8 + 2 bludgeoning damage
Terrain
This encounter takes place in a central area of the swamp where the elementals converge.
Tactics
- The party must face multiple swamp elementals that have merged to form a more potent entity.
Encounter Name: Fungal Infestation
Description: The party encounters a region of the swamp where fungal growth has become aggressive and hostile.
Enemies
Fungal Spores
- Small Plant, neutral
- Armor Class 10
- Hit Points 27 (6d6 + 6)
- Speed 0 ft.
Explosive Spores: DC 12 Dexterity saving throw or take 2d6 poison damage
Terrain
This encounter takes place in a fungal-infested part of the swamp.
Tactics
- The party must navigate carefully to avoid triggering explosive fungal spores.
Encounter Name: Witchlight Marsh Fairies
Description: The party encounters mischievous marsh fairies known as witchlights. These playful creatures may aid or hinder the party depending on their whims.
Enemies
Witchlight Fairies
- Tiny Fey, chaotic neutral
- Armor Class 15
- Hit Points 10 (3d6)
- Speed 20 ft., fly 40 ft.
Prankish Glare: DC 12 Wisdom saving throw or be affected by a minor enchantment
Terrain
This encounter takes place in a luminous part of the swamp where witchlights dwell.
Tactics
- The witchlights play tricks on the party, either aiding or hindering them for their amusement.
Encounter Name: Murmuring Marsh Spirits
Description: The party hears haunting whispers in the marsh, and spectral figures appear. The marsh spirits have a message or quest for the party.
Enemies
Marsh Spirits
- Medium Undead, neutral
- Armor Class 11
- Hit Points 38 (7d8 + 7)
- Speed 0 ft., fly 40 ft.
Whispered Touch: +3 to hit, 2d6 necrotic damage
Terrain
This encounter takes place in a mist-shrouded part of the swamp with spectral apparitions.
Tactics
- The party can choose to interact with the marsh spirits, who may have valuable information or quests.
Encounter Name: Sinkhole Ambush
Description: The party traverses a seemingly solid part of the swamp, only to have the ground give way to a sinkhole. Creatures from below attack.
Enemies
Subterranean Hunters
- Medium Monstrosity, neutral
- Armor Class 14 (natural armor)
- Hit Points 52 (8d8 + 16)
- Speed 30 ft., burrow 20 ft.
Bite: +5 to hit, 2d8 + 3 piercing damage
Terrain
This encounter takes place in a deceptive part of the swamp that conceals hidden dangers.
Tactics
- The party must contend with both the sinkhole terrain and the creatures emerging from below.
Encounter Name: Swamp Druid’s Challenge
Description: The party encounters a reclusive swamp druid who challenges them to prove their respect for nature by completing a trial.
Enemies
Swamp Druid
- Medium Humanoid, neutral
- Armor Class 12
- Hit Points 45 (7d8 + 14)
- Speed 30 ft.
Nature’s Wrath: DC 13 Dexterity saving throw or take 2d8 poison damage
Terrain
This encounter takes place in a sacred grove within the swamp.
Tactics
- The party must complete a trial set by the swamp druid to prove their respect for nature.
Encounter Name: Abandoned Swamp Village
Description: The party discovers the remnants of an abandoned swamp village. Undead inhabitants rise from the murky waters to defend their cursed home.
Enemies
Swamp Zombies
- Medium Undead, neutral evil
- Armor Class 8
- Hit Points 22 (3d8 + 9)
- Speed 20 ft., swim 30 ft.
Slam: +3 to hit, 1d6 + 2 bludgeoning damage
Terrain
This encounter takes place in the ruins of an abandoned swamp village.
Tactics
- The undead inhabitants rise to defend their cursed home, attacking the intruding party.
Encounter Name: Marsh Marauders
Description: A group of amphibious raiders known as marsh marauders ambushes the party, seeking to plunder and steal.
Enemies
Marsh Marauders
- Medium Humanoid, chaotic evil
- Armor Class 13 (leather armor)
- Hit Points 27 (6d8)
- Speed 30 ft., swim 30 ft.
Multiattack: The marauder makes two melee attacks.
Terrain
This encounter takes place along the marsh’s edge, where the marauders hide.
Tactics
- The marsh marauders use hit-and-run tactics, attempting to steal valuables before retreating.
Encounter Name: Swamp Fever Outbreak
Description: The party encounters a swampy area plagued by a magical disease. They must find a cure or suffer its debilitating effects.
Enemies
Diseased Swamp Creatures
- Various creatures, various alignments
- Armor Class Varies
- Hit Points Varies
- Speed Varies
Disease: DC 14 Constitution saving throw or be afflicted by swamp fever.
Terrain
This encounter takes place in an infected part of the swamp.
Tactics
- The party must find a cure for the magical disease while contending with infected swamp creatures.