Buy me a coffee(Dinosaur) Avaceratops, the Frilled Sentry
“Don’t be fooled by its size—Avaceratops charges into danger like a pint-sized tank with a frill full of attitude!”
Avaceratops is a stout, quadrupedal herbivore roughly the size of a large boar. Its muscular frame supports a heavy head crowned with a modest, forward-curving frill and a small nasal horn. Its beaked mouth is sharp and efficient for cropping tough vegetation, while its tough hide—mottled in earthy browns and greens—offers camouflage in dense foliage.
Behaviour:
Cautious yet fiercely defensive, Avaceratops travels in small herds and maintains a watchful demeanor. It vocalizes with sharp bleats and guttural snorts to communicate danger or coordinate movements. Though not aggressive by nature, it responds to threats with startling bursts of speed and surprising tenacity, using its head and frill as both shield and battering ram.
Habitat:
This creature thrives in humid floodplains, forest clearings, and fern-rich underbrush. Preferring areas near streams and fresh growth, it blends seamlessly into shaded terrain where predators are abundant and cover is critical.
Modus Operandi:
Avaceratops operates with strength in numbers. Sentinels near the herd’s edge raise alarms at the scent or sound of danger, giving the group time to cluster and form a defensive circle. When forced to fight, it lowers its head and charges, using its weight and momentum to drive intruders away. A cornered Avaceratops strikes repeatedly with its frill, targeting limbs and joints to cripple and escape.
Motivation:
Survival, safety, and the preservation of its herd shape Avaceratops’s instincts. It seeks fertile feeding grounds and defensible territory, repelling invaders not out of malice but necessity. Driven by an ingrained sense of group loyalty, it defends its kind with determination far exceeding its size.
Avaceratops 5e
Avaceratops 3.5
Avaceratops
Small Beast, Unaligned
Challenge 1/2 (100 XP)
Armor Class 15 (natural armor)
Hit Points 27 (6d6 + 6)
Speed 40 ft.
| STR | DEX | CON | INT | WIS | CHA |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 14 (+2) | 12 (+1) | 13 (+1) | 2 (–4) | 14 (+2) | 6 (–2) |
Saving Throws Wis +4
Skills Perception +4
Senses Passive Perception 14
Languages —
Proficiency Bonus +2
Type Beast
Size Small
Traits
Pack Alertness.
While within 30 feet of another Avaceratops or friendly beast, the Avaceratops has advantage on Wisdom (Perception) checks and cannot be surprised.
Frilled Defense.
When targeted by a melee attack from a creature it can see, Avaceratops can use its reaction to impose disadvantage on the attack roll by snapping its frill into a defensive posture.
Natural Camouflage.
Avaceratops has advantage on Dexterity (Stealth) checks made to hide in forested terrain or dense undergrowth.
Actions
Gore.
Melee Weapon Attack: +4 to hit, reach 5 ft., one target.
Hit: 7 (1d10 + 2) piercing damage.
Defensive Charge (Recharge 5–6).
The Avaceratops moves up to its speed in a straight line toward a creature it can see. If it moves at least 20 feet before hitting, it makes a Gore attack with advantage.
- On a hit, the target must succeed on a DC 12 Strength saving throw or be knocked prone.
Tactics
- Sentinel Role: Avaceratops rarely travels alone. In a group, one or more serve as lookouts, using high Wisdom and Pack Alertness to detect threats early.
- Skirmisher Defense: If threatened, it uses Frilled Defense to survive long enough to flee or distract a foe while others escape.
- Charge-and-Flee: In combat, it uses Defensive Charge to knock enemies prone before retreating behind larger allies or into terrain that favors its Natural Camouflage.
- Environmentally Aware: Avaceratops takes advantage of terrain—ducking into underbrush, circling trees, or breaking line of sight between charges.
Optional: Herd Variant
In encounters featuring 3 or more Avaceratops within 10 feet of each other:
- They gain a collective bonus called Herd Cohesion:
All Avaceratops have advantage on saving throws against being frightened or charmed.
Avaceratops
Avaceratops is a small three-horned ceratopsian with a solid frill, making it resemble a miniature Triceratops.
InsanePsychoRabbit of the Wizards Community forums.
They are more skittish than their larger cousins, being more frequent prey for carnivores like Troodon, though they are capable of defending themselves. Local dinosaur herders prefer them because they are more manageable than their larger cousins.
| Dinosaur Avaceratops | |
| Medium animal | |
| Hit Dice | 3d8+6 (21 hp) |
| Initiative | +1 |
| Speed | 40 ft. (8 squares) |
| Armor Class | 14 (+1 Dexterity, +3 natural), touch 11, flat-footed 13 |
| Base Attack/Grapple | +2/+4 |
| Attack | Gore +4 melee (1d6+3) |
| Full Attack | Gore +4 melee (1d6+3) |
| Space/Reach | 5 ft./5 ft. |
| Special Attacks | Powerful charge |
| Special Qualities | Low-Light Vision, Scent |
| Saves | Fort +5, Ref +4, Will +2 |
| Abilities | Strength 14, Dexterity 13, Constitution 14, Intelligence 1, Wisdom 12, Charisma 7 |
| Skills | Listen +6, Spot +6 |
| Feats | Alertness, Endurance |
| Environment | Warm plains and forests |
| Organization | Solitary or herd (6-10) |
| Challenge Rating | 2 |
| Treasure | None |
| Alignment | Always neutral |
| Advancement | 4-5 HD (Medium), 6-9 HD (Large) |
Combat
Avaceratops prefer not to fight. However, if significantly disturbed or threatened, they will charge at the opponent with head lowered.
Powerful Charge (Ex): An avaceratops’ gore attack deals double damage on a successful charge.
Avaceratops as Animal Companions
An avaceratops makes an appropriate animal companion for a druid of at least 4th level.
Avaceratops as Special Mounts
An avaceratops makes an appropriate special mount for a paladin of at least 5th level.