Shapechanger. The mimic can use its action to polymorph into a balloon or back into its true, amorphous form. Its statistics are the same in each form. Any equipment it is wearing or carrying isn't transformed. It reverts to its true form if it dies.
Adhesive (Object Form Only). The mimic adheres to anything that touches it. A Medium or smaller creature adhered to the mimic is also grappled by it (escape DC 13 + the mimic's number of gas charges). Ability checks made to escape this grapple have disadvantage.
Balloonist. While the mimic has at least 1 gas charge, it has a flying speed (hover) of 20 feet for each gas charge it has. The mimic can carry 1 Tiny creature for each gas charge it has. A Medium or Small creature counts as 2 Tiny creatures.
Death Burst. When the mimic is reduced to 0 hit points while it has at least 1 gas charge, it explodes. Any creature within 5 feet of it per gas charge the mimic had when it was reduced to 0 hit points must make a DC 13 Constitution saving throw. On a failed save, the creature takes 2 (1d4) thunder damage plus 2 (1d4) acid damage for each gas charge the mimic had and is deafened for 1 minute. On a success, the creature takes half as much damage and isn’t deafened. A creature deafened by this effect can repeat the save at the end of each of its turn, ending the effect on itself on a success.
If the creature was being carried by the mimic's Balloonist trait, it falls.
False Appearance (Object Form Only). While the mimic remains motionless, it is indistinguishable from an ordinary balloon.
Gas Bladder. If the mimic takes fire damage or piercing damage while it has at least 1 gas charge, it is instantly reduced to 0 hit points, triggering its Death Burst trait.
Grappler. The mimic has advantage on attack rolls against any creature grappled by it.
Pseudopod. Melee Weapon Attack: +3 to hit, reach 5 ft., one target. Hit: 1 bludgeoning damage. If the mimic is in object form, the target is subjected to its Adhesive trait.
Bite. Melee Weapon Attack: +3 to hit, reach 5 ft., one target. Hit: 1 piercing damage plus 1 acid damage.
Inflate/Deflate. The mimic enlarges or reduces as though affected by the enlarge/reduce. If the mimic enlarges, it gains 1 gas charge. If it reduces, if loses 1 gas charge. If the number of the mimic's gas charges ever exceeds 3, it is instantly reduced to 0 hit points, triggering its Death Burst trait.
Description
Balloon mimics lurk at fairs, carnivals, or festive events one might see a large number of balloons. They synthesize hydrogen from the acidic compounds naturally produced by their bodies, using the gas to fill a bladder, allowing them to float like the object they mimic.
A favored hunting tactic of the balloon mimic is to expand rapidly once a creature has taken hold of its "string"; a disguised pseudopod, which takes hold of them in turn. This cause the mimic and it prey to quickly ascend and by carried off by the wind. Once safely out of reach of those that might try to aid its prey, the mimic begins to feed while still midair.
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