Buy me a coffeeDinosaur, Iguanodon, the Spikethumb Sentinel
“You won’t believe what this peaceful plant-eater does with its thumb spike—meet the Iguanodon!”
The Iguanodon is a robust, herbivorous dinosaur standing up to 10 feet tall at the hip and measuring over 30 feet in length. Its muscular body is built for both bipedal and quadrupedal movement, supported by strong hind legs and broad, weight-bearing forelimbs. Its most distinctive feature is a pair of elongated, conical thumb spikes—natural weapons capable of piercing hide and armor alike. Its skin is pebbled and earthy in tone, ranging from mossy green to dusty brown, providing natural camouflage in forested and open environments.
Behaviour
Iguanodons are calm, social herd animals that display remarkable alertness and loyalty. Though not aggressive by nature, they are vigilant protectors, known to encircle their young and face down threats in a unified front. They communicate through deep bellows, tail drumming, and body posture. When threatened, an Iguanodon will stomp, feint, and flare its body to appear larger—often buying time for smaller herd members to escape.
Habitat
They dwell in temperate plains, open woodlands, and river valleys—areas rich in ferns, cycads, and low-growing vegetation. Iguanodons often follow seasonal grazing routes and are commonly found near freshwater sources. Their well-worn trails are sometimes mistaken for humanoid roads due to their regular spacing and width.
Modus Operandi
When provoked, an Iguanodon lowers its head, steadies itself, and charges with surprising speed. A well-placed thumb spike can gut predators or trample smaller foes. If surrounded, it uses its powerful tail to clear space, knocking attackers back before shifting into a defensive stance. In groups, they coordinate with practiced synergy, taking turns defending or retaliating in a surprisingly strategic manner.
Motivation
Driven by instinct rather than malice, they seek to protect their herd, preserve their grazing grounds, and avoid unnecessary conflict. However, they will fiercely defend territory during mating or nesting seasons, and show no hesitation when their young are threatened. Intelligent enough to distinguish predators from neutral parties, Iguanodons sometimes learn to tolerate the presence of humanoids—especially rangers or druids who share their habitat.
Iguanodon 5e
Iguanodon 5e
Iguanodon Pathfinder
Iguanodon
Large Beast, Unaligned
Challenge Rating: 2 (450 XP) • Proficiency Bonus: +2
Armor Class 14 (natural armor)
Hit Points 52 (7d10 + 14)
Speed 40 ft.
| STR | DEX | CON | INT | WIS | CHA |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 17 (+3) | 12 (+1) | 14 (+2) | 2 (–4) | 13 (+1) | 6 (–2) |
Saving Throws
- Strength +5
- Constitution +4
Skills
- Perception +3
- Athletics +5
Senses
- Passive Perception 13
Languages —
Traits
Beast Sense.
The Iguanodon has advantage on Wisdom (Perception) checks that rely on smell or ground vibrations.
Herd Sentinel.
When a creature within 10 feet of the Iguanodon is hit by a melee attack, the Iguanodon can use its reaction to make a Thumb Spike attack against the attacker.
Actions
Multiattack.
It makes two attacks: one with Thumb Spike and one with Tail Swipe.
Thumb Spike.
Melee Weapon Attack: +5 to hit, reach 5 ft., one target
Hit: 11 (2d6 + 3) piercing damage
- If the Iguanodon moved at least 20 feet straight toward the target this turn, the target must succeed on a DC 13 Strength saving throw or be pushed 10 feet and knocked prone.
Tail Swipe.
Melee Weapon Attack: +5 to hit, reach 10 ft., one target
Hit: 9 (2d4 + 3) bludgeoning damage
- If the target is prone, the Iguanodon may make a Thumb Spike attack as a bonus action.
Defensive Stance (Recharge 5–6).
The Iguanodon drops into a grounded defensive posture. Until the start of its next turn, it gains:
- +2 bonus to AC
- Advantage on Strength saving throws
- Opportunity attacks are triggered even if creatures use the Disengage action
Tactics
- Defensive Combatant: Iguanodons rarely fight offensively but defend their territory or herd with persistence.
- Crowd Control: Uses Thumb Spike charge to knock foes prone, then Tail Swipe to punish.
- Reposition & Protect: Moves between allies to intercept strikes using Herd Sentinel.
- Timing Matters: Uses Defensive Stance after drawing aggression or when outnumbered.
Environment
Temperate plains, open forests, and river valleys.
Often found in herds of 3–6 with coordinated movement and shared vigilance.
Treasure
Iguanodons don’t hoard wealth, but their thumb spikes can be harvested and sold (10–25 gp each), or crafted into primitive weapons or alchemical reagents. Their hides are sometimes used for crafting sturdy traveling leathers.
Dinosaur, Iguanodon
Family: Dinosaurs
Huge beast, unaligned
Armor Class 15 (natural armor)
Hit Points 96 (11d12 + 24)
Speed 30 ft.
| STR | DEX | CON | INT | WIS | CHA |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 18 (+4) | 12 (+1) | 17 (+3) | 2 (-4) | 12 (+1) | 6 (-2) |
Senses passive Perception 11
Languages –
Challenge 6 (2300 XP)
ACTIONS
- Bite. Melee Weapon Attack: +7 to hit, reach 5 ft., one target. Hit: 20 (3d10 + 4) piercing damage.
- Thumb Spike. Melee Weapon Attack: +7 to hit, reach 5 ft., one target. Hit: 17 (3d8 + 4) piercing damage and the target must succeed on a DC 12 Constitution saving throw or lose 4 (1d8) hit points at the start of each of its turns until healed with magic.
ABOUT
Known primarily as herbivores, Iguanodons can be found in many regions of the world. While they do not seek prey to feed on, the Iguanodon is aggressive if they or their offspring are preyed on. Fighting with a formidable bite and thumb spike, this creature is not one to be taken lightly.
Section 15: Copyright Notice
Tome of Horrors 2020, (C) 2020, Necromancer Games
Iguanodon
This dinosaur seems comfortable on two legs or four. Its front limbs are each adorned with a cruel-looking, thumb-like spike.
Iguanodons are large, herbivorous dinosaurs that inhabit swamps and forests where they can take advantage of abundant vegetation. The iguanodon is capable of moving on two feet or on four, quickly switching from one stance to the other, depending on whether it needs to move through dense foliage or to reach delectable morsels hanging up in the canopy.
Although iguanodons are herbivores, they are notoriously quick to anger. Their thumb spikes make their claws particularly devastating weapons—a well-placed blow from one of these claws can turn a hungry predator into a cowering beast with one swift strike. Iguanodons are 30 feet long and weigh 6,000 pounds.
Iguanodon CR 6
XP 2,400
N Huge animal
Init +2; Senses low-light vision, scent; Perception +12
DEFENSE
AC 19, touch 10, flat-footed 17 (+2 Dex, +9 natural, -2 size)
hp 76 (9d8+36)
Fort +10, Ref +8, Will +4
OFFENSE
Speed 30 ft.
Melee 2 claws +13 (1d8+8/x3)
Space 15 ft.; Reach 15 ft.
Special Attacks thumb spikes
STATISTICS
Str 27, Dex 14, Con 19, Int 2, Wis 12, Cha 7
Base Atk +6; CMB +16; CMD 28 (32 vs. trip)
Feats Power Attack, Run, Skill Focus (Perception), Skill Focus (Stealth), Weapon Focus (claw)
Skills Perception +12, Stealth +4
SPECIAL ABILITIES
Thumb Spikes (Ex)
An iguanodon’s thumb spikes can inflict grievous wounds—they deal triple damage on a successful critical hit.
ECOLOGY
Environment warm forests or swamps
Organization solitary, pair, or pack (3-6)
Treasure none
Section 15: Copyright Notice
Pathfinder Roleplaying Game Bestiary 3, © 2011, Paizo Publishing, LLC; Authors Jesse Benner, Jason Bulmahn, Adam Daigle, James Jacobs, Michael Kenway, Rob McCreary, Patrick Renie, Chris Sims, F. Wesley Schneider, James L. Sutter, and Russ Taylor, based on material by Jonathan Tweet, Monte Cook, and Skip Williams.