### The swarm takes radiant damage if it misses the Dexterity save Because the swarm has its own stat block, like an orc or a dragon or a manticore, it is treated mechanically like a creature when it comes to spell effects and attacks. It is worth noting what a swarm is and how it is created: > They form as a result of some sinister or unwholesome influence ... > even Druids can't charm these swarms, and their aggressiveness is > borderline unnatural. (MM p. 337) - This points to a magical (something) being inherent in a swarm that keeps it together in this form. While the MM entry may raise the question of whether or not a Swarm is a single creature in your mind, the consistent thing to do is treat it as a single creature since it is statted with its own stat block. - You will note that a swarm of ravens has a series of immunities and resistances that a regular beast does not have. > **Damage Resistances** bludgeoning, piercing, slashing > **Condition Immunities** charmed, frightened, grappled, paralyzed, petrified, prone, restrained, stunned (SRD p. 391, Swarm of Ravens) That's another point in not treating it like a single raven multiplied X times. Ravens have no such immunities. (SRD p. 387, Raven) - In aggregate, the nature of "swarming" makes a bunch of single creatures act collectively and thus pose a greater danger to a party than a few rats, piranhas, ravens or bats. (Consider that a squad of soldiers or goblins is far more dangerous than a single soldier, but since there is no "swarm of goblins" stat block that analogy ends there). - A Swarm does more damage in "swarm" form by a significant amount: the swarm does 2d6 and a raven does 1. for the purposes of melee and movement (in formation, however chaotic) a Swarm is should be treated as a 'creature' even though the Swarm is made up of a bunch of smaller creatures. Once you adopt the "keep it simple" approach, the answer to your question is very clear: 1. Roll the d20 against the spell DC for the caster 2. Add +2 for the 14 dexterity score of the swarm, 3. See if the swarm is damaged or not, based on missing or making the save.