Dinosaur, “Epanterias: The Primeval Apex – Jurassic Predator of Shadowed Wilds”
From the shadows of the canyon, Epanterias thunders into view, a nightmare of muscle and fangs that makes the very earth tremble beneath its hunt.

A massive, bone-crushing theropod of the Jurassic, Epanterias is a relentless apex predator whose thunderous stride, cavernous jaws, and calculating cunning make it one of the most formidable hunters to roam the primeval wilds.
Appearance
Epanterias is a huge bipedal predator, its frame built of corded muscle rippling beneath scarred, leathery hide. Its massive skull bristles with recurved teeth like jagged daggers, and its piercing eyes fixate on prey with relentless focus.
Behaviour
A patient and cunning hunter, Epanterias stalks herds from the shadows, testing prey with low, rumbling roars before charging with surprising speed. Territorial and dominant, it tolerates no rival, striking with efficiency and precision.
Habitat
Epanterias prowls floodplains, river valleys, conifer forests, and rocky canyons, claiming expansive hunting grounds where water and grazing herds converge. It marks its domain with claw scars on stone and guttural bellows that carry for miles.
Modus Operandi
It strikes with calculated ferocity, isolating the weakest or most vulnerable prey before delivering bone-cracking bites and punishing tail or foot strikes. It favors ambushes from cover, using terrain to funnel victims into its jaws, but will engage challengers directly when necessary.
Motivation
Driven by instinct rather than malice, Epanterias hunts and kills to maintain dominance over its territory. Its relentless hunger and primal imperative to rule mark it as a predator that exists solely to survive—and to reign supreme in its domain.
Epanterias 5e 2024
Epanterias, Pathfinder
Epanterias 3.5
Epanterias
Huge Beast, Unaligned
Armor Class: 15 (natural armor)
Hit Points: 180 (16d12 + 80)
Speed: 50 ft.
STR | DEX | CON | INT | WIS | CHA |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
25 (+7) | 13 (+1) | 21 (+5) | 2 (–4) | 14 (+2) | 10 (+0) |
Saving Throws: Str +12, Con +10
Skills: Perception +6, Stealth +4 (forest or canyon terrain)
Senses: darkvision 60 ft., tremorsense 30 ft., passive Perception 16
Languages: —
Challenge: 12 (8,400 XP)
Traits
Apex Predator. Epanterias has advantage on Wisdom (Perception) checks that rely on smell.
Powerful Build. Counts as one size larger when determining carrying capacity and the weight it can push, drag, or lift.
Territorial Hunter. Epanterias fights aggressively within its territory, gaining advantage on attack rolls against creatures that enter its hunting grounds.
Actions
Multiattack. Epanterias makes two attacks: one with its Bite and one with Stomp.
- Bite. Melee Weapon Attack: +12 to hit, reach 10 ft., one target.
Hit: 34 (5d10 + 7) piercing damage. If the target is Large or smaller, it is grappled (escape DC 20) until released. - Stomp. Melee Weapon Attack: +12 to hit, reach 5 ft., one target.
Hit: 22 (4d8 + 7) bludgeoning damage. Target Huge or smaller must succeed on a DC 19 Strength saving throw or be knocked prone. - Tail Swipe. Melee Weapon Attack: +12 to hit, reach 15 ft., one target.
Hit: 20 (3d8 + 7) bludgeoning damage. - Crushing Charge. If Epanterias moves at least 20 ft. straight toward a target and hits with a Stomp, the target takes an extra 12 (3d8) bludgeoning damage and must succeed on a DC 19 Strength saving throw or be stunned until the end of its next turn.
Tactics
Epanterias hunts like a true apex predator. It stalks and ambushes prey, isolating single targets for maximum effect. Its Bite grapples, Stomp knocks prone, and Tail Swipe punishes approaching foes. It prefers open plains, canyons, or river valleys, using speed and strength rather than trickery or magic. When confronted by multiple large opponents, it fights defensively, relying on terrain and mobility to control the battlefield.
Epanterias
Huge Beast (Dinosaur), Unaligned
CR: 12
XP: 19,200
Init: +2
Senses: Darkvision 60 ft., Tremorsense 30 ft.; Perception +18
Defense
AC: 22, touch 11, flat-footed 21 (+1 Dex, +11 natural)
HP: 195 (15d8+135)
Fort: +15, Ref: +7, Will: +8
DR: —
Immune: Magical effects that cause fear, charm, or paralysis fail
Offense
Speed: 50 ft.
Melee: Bite +21 (2d8+14 plus Bite Grab), Stomp +21 (2d6+14), Tail +19 (2d6+10)
Space/Reach: 15 ft./10 ft. (bite), 5 ft. (stomp), 15 ft. (tail)
Special Attacks:
- Bite Grab (Ex): When Epanterias hits a Large or smaller creature with its Bite, it can hold the target in its jaws. The target takes normal bite damage each round and cannot move or act freely unless it succeeds on a DC 30 Strength or Fortitude check at the start of its turn.
- Crushing Charge (Ex): If Epanterias moves at least 20 ft. straight toward a target and hits with Stomp, the target takes 3d8+14 bludgeoning damage and must succeed on a DC 30 Strength check or be stunned for 1 round.
- Tail Swipe (Ex): Standard action; all creatures in a 15 ft. cone make DC 30 Reflex saves or take full damage and fall prone (half damage on a successful save).
- Trample (Ex): Full-round action; creatures smaller than Huge in its path must make DC 30 Reflex save or take 3d6+10 bludgeoning damage and be knocked prone.
Statistics
Str: 31, Dex: 14, Con: 27, Int: 2, Wis: 15, Cha: 10
Base Attack/Grapple: +15/+29
Attack: Bite +21 (2d8+14 plus Bite Grab), Stomp +21 (2d6+14), Tail +19 (2d6+10)
Full Attack: Bite +21, Stomp +21, Tail +19
Feats: Power Attack, Improved Critical (Bite), Multiattack, Step Up, Cleave
Skills: Perception +18, Stealth +5 (forest or canyon), Survival +15
Languages: —
Special Abilities
- Apex Predator (Ex): +2 bonus on attack rolls against creatures it has been tracking for 10 minutes or more.
- Roar of Dominion (Su, 1/day): Thunderous roar; all creatures within 60 ft. must succeed on a DC 28 Will save or become frightened for 1d4 rounds.
- Primeval Resilience (Ex): Automatically succeeds against magical fear, charm, or paralysis effects.
- Territorial Hunter (Ex): Gains bonus on attack rolls against creatures entering its hunting grounds.
Ecology
Environment: Floodplains, river valleys, rocky canyons, dense conifer forests
Organization: Solitary
Treasure: None
Diet: Carnivore
Combat
Epanterias hunts with patience and precision. It uses Roar of Dominion to scatter prey, then isolates targets for Bite Grab or Crushing Charge attacks. Tail Swipe and Stomp control the battlefield, while Trample punishes clusters of smaller creatures. Preferring ambushes and terrain advantage, it strikes decisively but will confront rivals directly when defending territory.
Epanterias
Huge Animal (Dinosaur), Unaligned
Hit Dice: 15d8+105 (172 hp)
Initiative: +1
Speed: 50 ft.
Armor Class: 21, touch 10, flat-footed 20 (+1 Dex, –1 size, +11 natural)
Base Attack/Grapple: +11/+31
Attack: Bite +21 melee (2d8+14 plus Bite Grab), Stomp +21 melee (2d6+14), Tail +19 melee (2d6+10)
Full Attack: Bite +21 melee (2d8+14 plus Bite Grab), Stomp +21 melee (2d6+14), Tail +19 melee (2d6+10)
Space/Reach: 15 ft./10 ft. (bite), 5 ft. (stomp), 15 ft. (tail)
Special Attacks: Bite Grab, Crushing Charge, Tail Swipe, Trample
Special Qualities: Apex Predator, Primeval Resilience, Territorial Hunter, Darkvision 60 ft., Tremorsense 30 ft.
Saves: Fort +15, Ref +7, Will +8
Abilities: Str 31, Dex 13, Con 25, Int 2, Wis 15, Cha 10
Skills: Perception +18, Stealth +5 (forest/canyon), Survival +15
Feats: Power Attack, Improved Critical (Bite), Multiattack, Cleave, Step Up
Challenge Rating: 12
Alignment: Unaligned
Treasure: None
Special Abilities
Bite Grab (Ex): When Epanterias hits a Large or smaller target with its Bite, it can hold the target in its jaws. The target takes normal bite damage each round and cannot move freely unless it succeeds on a Strength or Fortitude check (DC 30) at the start of its turn.
Crushing Charge (Ex): If Epanterias moves at least 20 ft. straight toward a target and hits with Stomp, the target takes 3d8+14 bludgeoning damage and must succeed on a DC 30 Strength check or be stunned for 1 round.
Tail Swipe (Ex): Standard action; all creatures in a 15 ft. cone make DC 30 Reflex saves or take full damage and fall prone (half damage on a successful save).
Trample (Ex): Full-round action; creatures smaller than Huge in its path must succeed on a DC 30 Reflex save or take 3d6+10 bludgeoning damage and be knocked prone.
Apex Predator (Ex): +2 bonus on attack rolls against creatures it has been tracking for at least 10 minutes.
Roar of Dominion (Su, 1/day): Thunderous roar; all creatures within 60 ft. must succeed on a DC 28 Will save or become shaken for 1d4 rounds.
Primeval Resilience (Ex): Automatically succeeds on magical fear, charm, or paralysis effects.
Territorial Hunter (Ex): Gains a +2 bonus on attack rolls against creatures that enter its hunting grounds.
Ecology
Environment: Floodplains, river valleys, rocky canyons, dense conifer forests
Organization: Solitary
Diet: Carnivore
Combat
Epanterias stalks its prey with patience and cunning. It uses Roar of Dominion to scatter prey, isolates targets using terrain, and strikes decisively with Bite Grab or Crushing Charge. Tail Swipe and Stomp control battlefield positioning, while Trample punishes clustered foes. Preferring ambushes, it leverages terrain to funnel prey but will engage rivals directly when defending its territory.