Buy me a coffeeDire Bear (Cave or short-faced)
“Meet the Dire Bear: The Ancient, Super-Predator Twice the Size of a Grizzly—and Twice as Terrifying!”
The dire bear, a towering beast from ancient forests, dwarfs even the largest bears, standing nearly 15 feet tall when rearing on its hind legs. Its shaggy, coarse fur is mottled in shades of dark brown, black, and gray, providing natural camouflage among dense foliage and shadowy terrain. Thick, muscular limbs end in massive paws armed with claws as long as a man’s hand, capable of shredding through bone and bark alike. Its broad snout and powerful jaws reveal teeth adapted for both crushing bone and tearing flesh, hinting at a diet that includes anything unfortunate enough to cross its path.
The dire bear is a solitary and territorial creature, fiercely defensive of its domain, which spans vast tracts of untamed wilderness. Unlike most bears that avoid human contact, the dire bear is known for its aggressive pursuit of anything that it perceives as a threat or food, making it a feared apex predator. Despite its immense size, it can move with surprising stealth and speed, using its bulk to ambush prey before unleashing a devastating combination of claws and sheer weight.
Primarily inhabiting dense forests, mountainous terrain, or tundra-like areas, the dire bear prefers isolated regions where it can hunt undisturbed. Its modus operandi is simple yet terrifying: it stalks the perimeter of its territory, leaving behind unmistakable signs—deep gouges on trees, trampled undergrowth, and the occasional half-eaten carcass. When hunting, it uses brute force to overwhelm, targeting the largest prey in the area, and is known to cache food for later.
The dire bear’s motivation is primarily survival, driven by an insatiable appetite to sustain its massive body. However, it is also fiercely protective of its hunting grounds, and will chase off or even kill intruders, including other predators, to assert dominance. The dire bear is nature’s unyielding juggernaut—a relentless force, with one purpose: to rule the wilds unchallenged.
- Short Faced Bear (Dire Bear) 5E Stat Block
- Short Faced Bear (Dire Bear) 5E Stat Block
- Dire (or Cave) Bear pathfinder Stat Block
Dire Bear
Huge beast, unaligned
Armor Class 16 (natural armor)
Hit Points 212 (17d12 + 102)
Speed 40 ft.
| STR | DEX | CON | INT | WIS | CHA |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 24 (+7) | 12 (+1) | 22 (+6) | 3 (-4) | 14 (+2) | 7 (-2) |
Saving Throws STR +11, CON +10
Skills Perception +8, Survival +6
Senses Darkvision 60 ft., Passive Perception 18
Languages —
Challenge 11 (7,200 XP)
Proficiency Bonus +4
Traits
Keen Smell. The Dire Bear has advantage on Wisdom (Perception) checks that rely on smell.
Relentless Rage. When the Dire Bear takes damage that would reduce it to 0 hit points, it can make a Constitution saving throw with a DC equal to 5 + the damage taken. On a success, it drops to 1 hit point instead. This ability recharges on a short or long rest.
Fearsome Presence. Any creature within 30 feet of the Dire Bear that can see it must succeed on a DC 16 Wisdom saving throw or be frightened until the end of its next turn. A creature that succeeds on the saving throw is immune to this effect for 24 hours.
Actions
Multiattack. The Dire Bear makes three attacks: one with its bite and two with its claws.
Bite. Melee Weapon Attack: +11 to hit, reach 10 ft., one target. Hit: 24 (3d10 + 7) piercing damage. If the target is a creature, it must succeed on a DC 16 Strength saving throw or be knocked prone.
Claw. Melee Weapon Attack: +11 to hit, reach 10 ft., one target. Hit: 18 (2d10 + 7) slashing damage.
Savage Charge. If the Dire Bear moves at least 20 feet straight toward a target and then hits it with a claw attack on the same turn, the target takes an extra 16 (3d10) slashing damage. If the target is a creature, it must succeed on a DC 18 Strength saving throw or be knocked prone.
Maul (Recharge 5–6). The Dire Bear rears up on its hind legs and slams both claws down on a single target within 10 feet. The target must make a DC 18 Dexterity saving throw, taking 39 (6d10 + 6) bludgeoning damage on a failed save, or half as much on a successful one. If the target is prone, it takes an additional 11 (2d10) damage.
Reactions
Unyielding Fury. When a creature within 5 feet of the Dire Bear deals damage to it, the Dire Bear can make one claw attack against that creature as a reaction.
Tactics
The Dire Bear is a brutal, relentless predator. When hunting or in combat, it employs the following tactics:
Durability and Fury. The Dire Bear’s Relentless Rage keeps it fighting even at the brink of death, surprising foes who think it’s down.
Intimidation and Fear. It uses Fearsome Presence at the beginning of combat to disorient its foes, hoping to scare off weaker creatures before engaging.
Savage Charge allows it to close the gap on foes quickly, knocking them prone and gaining an advantage on subsequent claw attacks.
Relentless Attacks. The Dire Bear doesn’t relent; it will focus on knocking down and mauling prone targets, using Maul whenever available to maximize damage.
Short Faced Bear (Dire Bear)
Kain’s 5e Monstrous Manual – Page 9 – Dicefreaks (tapatalk.com)
Huge beast, unaligned
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Armor Class 13 (natural armor)
Hit Points 105 (10d12 + 40)
Speed 40 ft., swim 30 ft.
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| STR | DEX | CON | INT | WIS | CHA |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 22 (+6) | 10 (+0) | 19 (+4) | 2 (-4) | 13 (+1) | 7 (-2) |
_______________________________
Skills Perception +4
Senses passive Perception 14
Languages Bestial
Challenge 5 (1,800 XP)
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Keen Smell: The bear has advantage on Wisdom (Perception) checks that rely on smell.
ACTIONS
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Multiattack. The bear makes three attacks: one with its bite and two with its claws.
Bite: Melee Weapon Attack: +7 to hit, reach 5 ft., one target. Hit: 19 (3d8 + 6) piercing damage.
Claws: Melee Weapon Attack: +7 to hit, reach 5 ft., one target. Hit: 16 (3d6 + 6) slashing damage. If the target is Large or smaller, it is grappled (escape DC 17). Until this grapple ends, the target is restrained, the bear can automatically hit the target with its attacks, and the bear can’t make attacks against other targets.
Spittle drips from this feral bear’s roaring maw, and its matted fur is broken in places by wicked, bony growths.
Larger, more aggressive, and far more deadly than its lesser cousins, the dire bear (known to barbarian tribes variously as the cave bear or the short-faced bear) is a primeval menace indeed. This behemoth avoids more civilized reaches of the world, preferring to dwell in remote wilderness locations. A dire bear is a rare and terrifying sight—especially to those not used to normal bears.
Unlike most bears, a dire bear is short-tempered and swift to anger when confronted with intruders in its territory. Like a grizzly, a dire bear attempts to subdue or kill with its claws. However, a dire bear is far more likely (and willing) to begin biting a grabbed foe.
Dire (or Cave) Bear CR 7
XP 3,200
N Large animal
Init +5; Senses low-light vision, scent; Perception +12
DEFENSE
AC 18, touch 10, flat-footed 17 (+1 Dex, +8 natural, –1 size)
hp 95 (10d8+50)
Fort +12, Ref +8, Will +4
OFFENSE
Speed 40 ft.
Melee 2 claws +13 (1d6+7 plus grab), bite +13 (1d8+7)
Space 10 ft.; Reach 5 ft.
STATISTICS
Str 25, Dex 13, Con 21, Int 2, Wis 12, Cha 10
Base Atk +7; CMB +15 (+19 grapple); CMD 26 (30 vs. trip)
Feats Endurance, Improved Initiative, Iron Will, Run, Skill Focus (Perception)
Skills Perception +12, Swim +19; Racial Modifiers +4 Swim
ECOLOGY
Environment cold forests
Organization solitary or pair
Treasure incidental