Buy me a coffeeSpotted/Cave Lion (Dire Lion)
“Stalking the shadows of this untamed wilderness, the colossal cave lion moves like a ghost—silent, deadly, and utterly magnificent.”
The cave lion is a formidable predator, blending power and precision to dominate its environment. This prehistoric beast measures up to 14 feet in length and weighs as much as 900 pounds. Its coat is a rich, golden-brown hue mottled with darker spots or patches, providing effective camouflage in dappled forests or shadowy plains. Unlike modern lions, cave lions lack a mane, showcasing broad, muscular necks and heads. Their faces are striking, with rounded ears, sharp golden or green eyes, and elongated five-inch canines that flash in deadly anticipation.
Behavior
Cave lions are highly social creatures, living in tight-knit prides composed of a dominant male, several females, and their cubs. Cooperation defines their hunting strategy, with lionesses coordinating attacks to ensure their survival. Silent and patient, these predators stalk their prey under the cover of night or low light, waiting for the perfect moment to strike. Territorial disputes with other apex predators, such as hyenas or dire wolves, are frequent, as cave lions fiercely defend their kills and territory.
Habitat
Cave lions adapt to varied climates, from frigid tundras to temperate forests. In open plains, they prowl tall grasses, blending seamlessly with the landscape. In forests or mountainous regions, they claim deep caves or dense underbrush as their lairs, providing shelter for the pride and a secure location to raise their cubs. These environments ensure access to abundant prey while offering concealment from competitors or threats.
Modus Operandi
The cave lion’s hunting technique revolves around stealth and teamwork. Using their exceptional sense of smell and acute vision, lionesses identify and track potential prey, often selecting vulnerable or isolated targets. After positioning themselves strategically, one lioness sprints to ambush the prey, aiming to pin it with immense strength while others join the attack. Their oversized canines deliver deep, fatal bites to the neck or throat, quickly subduing even large animals like bison or moose. Kills are dragged back to the lair for communal feeding.
Motivation
Survival drives its every action, from safeguarding its territory to ensuring the pride’s sustenance, its instincts are honed by the harsh Ice Age environment. The dominant male defends his position to maintain mating rights, while females protect their young and hunt relentlessly to secure food. Their ultimate goal is simple yet primal: to thrive against the odds in a world ruled by competition and scarcity.
With its powerful build, cooperative strategy, and fierce drive for survival, the cave lion is both a symbol of primal majesty and a terrifying presence in the untamed wilds.
Spotted/Cave Lion (Dire Lion) 5e Stat Block
Large Beast, Unaligned
Armor Class: 14 (natural armor)
Hit Points: 127 (15d10 + 30)
Speed: 50 ft.
| STR | DEX | CON | INT | WIS | CHA |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 20 (+5) | 16 (+3) | 15 (+2) | 3 (-4) | 14 (+2) | 8 (-1) |
Saving Throws: Dex +6, Wis +5
Skills: Perception +6, Stealth +7
Senses: Darkvision 60 ft., Passive Perception 16
Languages: —
Challenge: 5 (1,800 XP)
Traits
Keen Smell and Hearing. The cave lion has advantage on Wisdom (Perception) checks that rely on smell or hearing.
Pounce. If the cave lion moves at least 20 feet straight toward a creature and then hits it with a claw attack on the same turn, that target must succeed on a DC 15 Strength saving throw or be knocked prone. If the target is prone, the cave lion can make one bite attack against it as a bonus action.
Pack Hunter. The cave lion has advantage on attack rolls against a creature if at least one of the lion’s allies is within 5 feet of the creature and isn’t incapacitated.
Stealthy Predator. The cave lion can take the Hide action as a bonus action in natural terrain.
Actions
Multiattack. The cave lion makes three attacks: one with its bite and two with its claws.
- Bite. Melee Weapon Attack: +8 to hit, reach 5 ft., one target.
Hit: 18 (2d10 + 5) piercing damage. - Claw. Melee Weapon Attack: +8 to hit, reach 5 ft., one target.
Hit: 14 (2d8 + 5) slashing damage.
Roar of Dominion (Recharge 5–6). The cave lion lets out a bone-chilling roar. Each creature of the cave lion’s choice within 60 feet that can hear it must succeed on a DC 15 Wisdom saving throw or become frightened for 1 minute. A frightened creature can repeat the saving throw at the end of its turns, ending the effect on itself on a success.
Tactics
- Ambush Predator: The cave lion uses its Stealthy Predator trait to hide in natural terrain and wait for the perfect opportunity to ambush. It will target weaker foes first, using Pounce to knock them prone and follow up with its Multiattack.
- Divide and Conquer: Preferring to isolate prey, the cave lion will use its superior speed to circle around and cut off stragglers.
- Roar of Dominion: The cave lion uses its roar at the start of combat or when surrounded, sowing fear to disrupt enemy tactics.
- Pack Dynamics: When fighting alongside other predators, such as wolves or other lions, the cave lion will coordinate attacks to maximize its Pack Hunter trait.
Legendary Variant
For higher-tier encounters, consider adding the following legendary actions:
Legendary Actions (3/Day):
- Swipe. The cave lion makes a claw attack.
- Territorial Stalk. The cave lion moves up to half its speed without provoking opportunity attacks.
- Ferocious Leap (Costs 2 Actions). The cave lion leaps up to 20 feet to a space it can see, landing with a thunderous crash. Each creature within 10 feet of the lion must succeed on a DC 15 Strength saving throw or take 10 (3d6) bludgeoning damage and fall prone.
Cave Lion Pathfinder Stat Block
This beast resembles a large lion but with over-sized canines and a shorter mane.
Cave lions are larger, fiercer, relatives of the common lion and roam uncivilized plains in cold or mild climates. They resemble normal lions in most respects save for the oversized canines these creatures possess (though not as long as the smilodon’s teeth). Those that dwell in forested areas build their lairs among the thick underbrush while those found in more mountainous regions inhabit deep caves. A pride consists of one or more families and a family consists of at least one male and a number of females and cubs.
Cave lions are carnivores. Their diet ranges from small rodents to large herd animals (such as bison or moose). Females are the primary hunters and do their hunting during either the day or night. When food is scarce, cave lions feed on carrion. This often leads to confrontations with hyenas and other such creatures. Such confrontations end when the cave lion or its opponent backs down and leaves the area.
These animals mate once per year (usually during the late summer months). Females always mate with the dominant male in the pride, though if one is unavailable she mates with all other males. Gestation lasts about four months after which time a litter of 1d2+1 cubs are born. They leave the den and go on their own around two years of age and reach maturity about four years of age. Cave lions live to be about ten years old.
Cave lions grow to a length of 14 feet and weigh in excess of 900 pounds, though the typical cave lion is about ten feet long and weighs about 600 pounds. They have a broad face and rounded ears, and unlike common lions, neither males nor females, possess a mane. They range in color from dark yellowish-brown to gold. Many have a mottled coat with darker spots of brown or gray. Their underbellies are lighter in color, even white on some species. Eyes vary from green to gold to brown. Their mouths are lined with rows of sharp teeth and oversized canines measuring about five inches in length.
Cave lions hunt in pairs or groups. They use their Stealth skill to stay out of sight of prey and wait for it to pass by. When potential prey moves within range, the lionesses sprint from their hiding place and pounce. Often, one lioness charges and bites, attempting to pin its prey while the other cave lionesses attack relentlessly with their bite attacks. Slain prey is dragged back to the lair and devoured by all cave lions.
Cave Lion CR 6
XP 2,400
N Large animal
Init +3; Senses low-light vision, scent; Perception +11
DEFENSE
AC 17, touch 12, flat-footed 14 (+3 Dex, +5 natural, –1 size)
hp 60 (8d8+24)
Fort +9, Ref +9, Will +3
OFFENSE
Speed 40 ft.
Melee 2 claws +13 (1d8+7) and bite +12 (1d8+7/19–20 plus grab)
Space 10 ft.; Reach 5 ft.
Special Attacks pounce, rake (2 claws +13, 1d8+7)
STATISTICS
Str 25, Dex 17, Con 17, Int 2, Wis 12, Cha 6
Base Atk +6; CMB +14 (+18 grapple); CMD 27 (31 vs. trip)
Feats Improved Critical (bite), Power Attack, Skill Focus (Perception), Weapon Focus (claw)
Skills Acrobatics +9, Perception +11, Stealth +8 (+12 in heavy growth and tall grass); Racial Modifiers +4 Acrobatics, +4 Stealth (+12 in heavy growth and tall grass)
ECOLOGY
Environment cold or temperate forests and mountains
Organization solitary, family (2–5) or pride (20–40)
Treasure none
Section 15: Copyright Notice
Lion, Cave from the Tome of Horrors Complete, Copyright 2011, Necromancer Games, Inc., published and distributed by Frog God Games; Author Scott Greene.
Cave Lion 3.5
Originally Posted by Mortis of the En World forums.
Spotted lions, also known as cave lions, are larger, fiercer lions, roaming the plains of the Pleistocene era. Spotted lions look like their later cousins, but their pelts are dappled with dark mottling.
| Spotted lion | |
| Large animal | |
| Hit Dice | 6d8+24 (51 hp) |
| Initiative | +3 |
| Speed | 30 ft (6 squares) |
| AC | 17 (-1 size, +4 Dexterity, +4 natural), touch 13, flat-footed 13 |
| Base Attack/Grapple | +4/+15 |
| Attack | Claw +10 melee (1d4+6) |
| Full Attack | 2 claws +10 melee (1d4+6), bite +5 melee (1d12+3) |
| Face/Reach | 10 ft/5 ft |
| Special Attacks | Pounce, improved grab, rake 2d4+3 |
| Special Qualities | Scent, Low-Light Vision |
| Saves | Fort +9, Ref +9, Will +3 |
| Abilities | Strength 24, Dexterity 18, Constitution 18, Intelligence 3, Wisdom 13, Charisma 6 |
| Skills | Balance +9, Hide +8*, Jump +7, Listen +5, Move Silently +10, Spot +5 |
| Feats | Alertness, Run, Stealthy |
| Environment | Warm plains and desert |
| Organization | Solitary or pride (2-8) |
| Challenge Rating | 4 |
| Treasure | None |
| Alignment | Always neutral |
| Advancement | 7-12 HD (Large); 13-18 HD (Huge) |
| Level Adjustment | — |
Combat
Spotted lions hunt in much the same way as their normal lions.
- Pounce (Ex) If a spotted lion leaps upon a foe during the first round of combat, it can make a full attack even if it has already taken a move action.
- Improved Grab (Ex) To use this ability, the spotted lion must hit with a claw or bite attack. If it gets a hold, it can rake.
- Rake (Ex) A spotted lion that gets a hold can make two rake attacks (+10 melee) with its hind legs for 2d4+3 damage each. If the lion pounces on an opponent, it can also rake.
- Skills Spotted lions receive a +4 racial bonus to Balance, Hide, and Move Silently checks. *In areas of tall grass or heavy growth, the Hide bonus improves to +12.
The Spotted Lion first appeared in the 1E Monster Manual (1977, Gary Gygax).