Buy me a coffeeSpotted/Cave Lion (Cat, Great)
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.
Lion, Dire 5e Stat Block
Lion, Dire
Family: Animal
Large beast, unaligned
Armor Class 14 (natural armor)
Hit Points 60 (8d10 + 16)
Speed 30 ft.
| STR | DEX | CON | INT | WIS | CHA |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 17 (+3) | 15 (+2) | 14 (+2) | 3 (-4) | 12 (+1) | 8 (-1) |
Skills Perception +3, Stealth +6
Senses passive Perception 13
Languages –
Challenge 1 (200 XP)
Special Traits
- Keen Smell. The lion has advantage on Wisdom (Perception) checks that rely on smell.
- Pack Tactics. The lion has advantage on an attack roll against a creature if at least one of the lion’s allies is within 5 feet of the creature and the ally isn’t incapacitated.
- Pounce. If the 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 14 Strength saving throw or be forced prone. If the target is prone, the lion can make one bite attack against it as a bonus action.
- Running Leap. With a 10-foot running start, the lion can long jump up to 25 feet.
Actions
- Bite. Melee Weapon Attack: +5 to hit, reach 5 ft., one target. Hit: 7 (1d8 + 3) piercing damage.
- Claw. Melee Weapon Attack: +5 to hit, reach 5 ft., one target. Hit: 6 (1d6 + 3) slashing damage.
About
Dire lions, known locally as spotted lions or cave lions, are immense predators that can grow up to 15 feet long and weigh up to 3,500 pounds. Although they are merely animals, these large creatures seem to take an almost sadistic glee in playing with and tormenting their prey before eventually devouring it. As a result, many tribes view dire lions as the spawn of evil gods and hunt them down as soon as their presence in a region becomes obvious.
Section 15: Copyright Notice
City of Brass ©2018 Frog God Games; Authors: Casey Christofferson and Scott Greene
Cave Lion Pathfinder Stat Block
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).