Buy me a coffeePterosaur, Anhanguera
Soaring through prehistoric skies with razor-sharp jaws, Anhanguera rules the ancient seas like a winged harpoon of death!
Anhanguera is a striking aerial predator with a wingspan of up to 15 feet. Its long, lightweight body is built for soaring, with expansive membranous wings supported by elongated finger bones. A prominent crest juts from the back of its skull, aiding with balance and aerial maneuverability. Its jaws are elongated and studded with outward-facing, needle-sharp teeth, ideal for gripping slippery prey. When gliding, its silhouette resembles a living spear in the sky, sleek and deadly.
Behaviour:
Anhanguera is a solitary and territorial creature. It spends most of its time aloft, riding thermal currents for hours with minimal effort. It is highly visual and reactive—swooping at the faintest flicker of movement on the water’s surface. Though not intelligent, it demonstrates precise timing and surprising cunning when striking from above. During mating seasons, males display their crests in elaborate flight rituals and engage in aggressive sky duels.
Habitat:
Anhanguera haunts coastal cliffs, estuaries, and large inland lakes in warm climates. It nests on high, inaccessible ledges where eggs and young are shielded from ground-based predators. Its ideal territory includes a mix of open water for hunting and high perches for rest and observation.
Modus Operandi:
Anhanguera hunts using hit-and-run aerial strikes. It circles silently at high altitude, watching for prey movement below. When spotted, it dives in a controlled plummet, skimming the water or ground to snatch fish, small reptiles, or even infant dinosaurs with its toothy jaws. If harassed, it uses its powerful beak to stab or slash before rapidly retreating into the sky.
Motivation:
Driven by a need to hunt, protect territory, and reproduce, Anhanguera operates on primal instincts. It seeks efficient kills, safe nesting sites, and dominance over its airspace. It does not attack without cause, but if challenged or intruded upon, it strikes with blinding speed and brutal precision.
Anhanguera 5e
Anhanguera 3.5 (Home Brew)
Anhanguera
Large Beast, Unaligned
CR 5 (1,800 XP) • Proficiency Bonus +3
Armor Class 15 (natural armor)
Hit Points 84 (13d10 + 20)
Speed 20 ft., fly 90 ft.
| STR | DEX | CON | INT | WIS | CHA |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 17 (+3) | 19 (+4) | 15 (+2) | 2 (–4) | 14 (+2) | 6 (–2) |
Saving Throws Dex +7, Wis +5
Skills Perception +5, Stealth +7
Senses Passive Perception 15
Languages —
Challenge 5 (1,800 XP)
Traits
Flyby.
The Anhanguera doesn’t provoke opportunity attacks when it flies out of an enemy’s reach.
Keen Sight.
The Anhanguera has advantage on Wisdom (Perception) checks that rely on sight.
Skimming Predator.
While flying at least 30 feet in a straight line before attacking, the Anhanguera has advantage on its first attack that turn against a creature below it in elevation or standing in water.
Aquatic Snatch.
If the Anhanguera reduces a creature Small or smaller to 0 hit points with a Bite, it can carry the corpse away without reducing its fly speed.
Actions
Multiattack.
The Anhanguera makes two attacks: one with its Bite and one with Wing Slash.
Bite.
Melee Weapon Attack: +6 to hit, reach 10 ft., one target.
Hit: 18 (3d10 + 2) piercing damage.
If the target is a creature of size Medium or smaller, it must succeed on a DC 14 Strength saving throw or be grappled (escape DC 14). While grappled, the creature is restrained and the Anhanguera can fly at half speed with it.
Wing Slash.
Melee Weapon Attack: +6 to hit, reach 5 ft., one target.
Hit: 10 (2d6 + 3) slashing damage.
If the target is grappled by the Anhanguera, this attack is made with advantage.
Swooping Dive (Recharge 5–6).
The Anhanguera chooses a point it can see within 60 feet and flies in a dive to strike all creatures in a 15-foot line between it and that point.
Each creature in the line must make a DC 15 Dexterity saving throw, taking 21 (6d6) slashing damage on a failed save, or half as much on a success. The Anhanguera can then move up to half its fly speed without provoking opportunity attacks.
Bonus Actions
Aerial Feint. (Recharge 4–6)
The Anhanguera makes a feinting motion in midair. Choose one creature it can see within 30 feet. That creature must succeed on a DC 13 Wisdom (Insight) check or have disadvantage on the next saving throw or attack roll it makes before the end of its next turn.
Tactics
- Ambush Hunter: The Anhanguera prefers hit-and-run tactics, using high-speed dives to strike, then circling out of range.
- Waterway Terror: It excels at attacking near rivers, cliffs, or lakes, where it can target isolated creatures or those forced to swim or cross narrow terrain.
- Precision Predator: It targets lightly armored foes, casters, or scouts, using its Flyby and grapple to lift them into the air and drop them from height if necessary.
- Retreat Tactically: When injured or outnumbered, it withdraws to the skies, using Aerial Feint and terrain to escape.
Dracomortis of the Wizards Community forums.
This small pterosaur measures about 3 feet long, half of which is the length of its head. It has a wingspan of about 16 feet. Despite its considerable size, an anhanguera weighs only 8 pounds.
| Anhanguera | |
| Small animal | |
| Hit Dice | 2d8+6 (15 hp) |
| Initiative | +7 |
| Speed | 10 ft. (2 squares), Fly 60 ft. (average) |
| Armor Class | 18 (+1 size, +7 Dexterity), touch 18, flat-footed 11 |
| Base Attack/Grapple | +1/-3 |
| Attack | Bite +2 melee (1d6) or talon +2 melee (1d3) |
| Full Attack | Bite +2 melee (1d6) and 2 talons +0 melee (1d3) |
| Space/Reach | 5 ft./5 ft. |
| Special Attacks | – |
| Special Qualities | Low-Light Vision |
| Saves | Fort +6, Ref +10, Will +1 |
| Abilities | Strength 10, Dexterity 24, Constitution 17, Intelligence 2, Wisdom 12, Charisma 6 |
| Skills | Listen +11, Spot +12 |
| Feats | Multiattack |
| Environment | Warm forests or mountains |
| Organization | Solitary or pair |
| Challenge Rating | 2 |
| Treasure | None |
| Alignment | Always true neutral |
| Advancement | 2-4 HD (Small) |
| Level Adjustment | – |
Combat
An anhanguera attacks by diving onto an opponent from above and attacking with its talons. It typically only uses its bite attack when it is forced to land.
Skills: An anhanguera has a +8 racial bonus on Listen and Spot checks.