The disintegrate feature in the beholders stat block does not contain the prohibitive language for resurrection features that the disintegrate spell contains.
It doesn't need it. A pile of dust isn't a dead creature.
That particular pile of dust is indeed the dead creature
Incinerating Beam (Recharge 5–6). The colossus fires a beam of light in a 150-foot line that is 10 feet wide. Each creature in the line must make a DC 26 Dexterity saving throw, taking 60 (11d10) radiant damage on a failed save, or half as much damage on a successful one. A creature reduced to 0 hit points by this beam is disintegrated, leaving behind anything it was wearing or carrying.
Return to Worms.When the larva mage is reduced to 0 hit points, it breaks apart into a swarm of insects in the same space. Unless the swarm is destroyed, the larva mage reforms from it 24 hours later.
So... the one thing we've not discussed yet is what even is a disintegrate effect? What does "disintegrate" even mean?
dis·in·te·grate
verb
break up into small parts, typically as the result of impact or decay.
So. Disintegrated and break apart means effectively the same thing. The answer is simple: The Larva Mage disintegrates into worms.
It is apparently so hard to program Aberrant Mind and Clockwork Soul spell-swapping into dndbeyond they had to remake the game without it rather than implement it.
Incinerating Beam (Recharge 5–6). The colossus fires a beam of light in a 150-foot line that is 10 feet wide. Each creature in the line must make a DC 26 Dexterity saving throw, taking 60 (11d10) radiant damage on a failed save, or half as much damage on a successful one. A creature reduced to 0 hit points by this beam is disintegrated, leaving behind anything it was wearing or carrying.
Return to Worms.When the larva mage is reduced to 0 hit points, it breaks apart into a swarm of insects in the same space. Unless the swarm is destroyed, the larva mage reforms from it 24 hours later.
So... the one thing we've not discussed yet is what even is a disintegrate effect? What does "disintegrate" even mean?
dis·in·te·grate
verb
break up into small parts, typically as the result of impact or decay.
So. Disintegrated and break apart means effectivelythe same thing. The answer is simple: The Larva Mage disintegrates into worms.
The effects that most gamers associate with "disintegration" are breaking into dust, gas or nothingness.
The warforged colossus ability only mentions "leaving behind anything [the target] was wearing or carrying". The disintegrate spell further specifies that "A disintegrated creature and everything it is wearing and carrying, except magic items, are reduced to a pile of fine gray dust." Beholder .... Disintegration Ray. ... If this damage reduces the creature to 0 hit points, its body becomes a pile of fine gray dust."
These are the kind of 5e effects we are accustomed to with disintegration.
Why did you ask a question if you're confident you know the answer?
That particular pile of dust is indeed the dead creature
So... the one thing we've not discussed yet is what even is a disintegrate effect? What does "disintegrate" even mean?
So. Disintegrated and break apart means effectively the same thing. The answer is simple: The Larva Mage disintegrates into worms.
I'm probably laughing.
It is apparently so hard to program Aberrant Mind and Clockwork Soul spell-swapping into dndbeyond they had to remake the game without it rather than implement it.
The effects that most gamers associate with "disintegration" are breaking into dust, gas or nothingness.
The warforged colossus ability only mentions "leaving behind anything [the target] was wearing or carrying".
The disintegrate spell further specifies that "A disintegrated creature and everything it is wearing and carrying, except magic items, are reduced to a pile of fine gray dust."
Beholder .... Disintegration Ray. ... If this damage reduces the creature to 0 hit points, its body becomes a pile of fine gray dust."
These are the kind of 5e effects we are accustomed to with disintegration.
why would the damage carry over to the swarm? It's not worded the same as polymorph/wildshape, etc.