Buy me a coffee(Dinosaur) Acanthopholis
You won’t believe how the Acanthopholis used its savage spikes to turn the jungle into a no-go zone for predators!
Its squat, muscular body hugs the ground, supported by sturdy, pillar-like legs. The narrow, beaked snout sweeps through low brush, methodically cropping ferns, horsetails, and other ancient flora. Its eyes, small but alert, flicker constantly, scanning for movement in the foliage.
Behaviour
Acanthopholis is a browser and a survivor. It moves alone or in loose, scattered groups, each individual keeping a quiet distance. It is not aggressive, but it does not run. When threatened, it simply turns—flanks first—presenting a wall of razor-edged spikes that promises pain to any predator foolish enough to strike.
Habitat
It thrives in humid river deltas and coastal floodplains, where seasonal rains swell the rivers and the soil is soft beneath its armored feet. Trees are sparse but tall, and the ground layer is thick with cycads, mosses, and decay. Insects hum, and distant calls of larger theropods echo through the swampy air.
Modus Operandi
Acanthopholis uses camouflage and intimidation as its primary defense. It remains still and silent, trusting its natural armor and coloration to keep it unnoticed. If forced into confrontation, it pivots with surprising agility, spiked flanks forward, daring predators to get closer.
Motivation
Its goals are primal: feed, endure, reproduce, and avoid death. It does not chase, it does not flee far. It lets the world come to it—and trusts that millions of years of evolution have made it nearly untouchable. In a land of tooth and claw, Acanthopholis survives not through strength or speed, but through patience, armor, and an unshakable will to live.
Acanthopholis 5e
Acanthopholis 3.5
Acanthopholis
Medium Beast, Unaligned
Armor Class 18 (natural armor, spiked hide)
Hit Points 85 (10d8 + 40)
Speed 30 ft.
| STR | DEX | CON | INT | WIS | CHA |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 16 (+3) | 10 (+0) | 18 (+4) | 2 (−4) | 13 (+1) | 6 (−2) |
Saving Throws Con +6, Wis +3
Skills Perception +3, Stealth +4 (in natural environments)
Damage Resistances Piercing, Slashing from non-magical attacks
Senses Passive Perception 13
Languages —
Challenge 3 (700 XP)
Proficiency Bonus +2
Traits
Spiked Armor.
A creature that hits Acanthopholis with a melee attack while within 5 feet takes 4 (1d8) piercing damage from its jagged osteoderms.
Natural Camouflage.
Acanthopholis has advantage on Dexterity (Stealth) checks made to hide in forested or overgrown terrain.
Sure-Footed.
Acanthopholis has advantage on Strength and Dexterity saving throws made against effects that would knock it prone.
Actions
Slam. Melee Weapon Attack: +5 to hit, reach 5 ft., one target.
Hit: 10 (2d6 + 3) bludgeoning damage.
Spiked Turn (Recharge 5–6).
Acanthopholis rapidly pivots, swinging its armored flanks outward. All creatures within 5 feet must succeed on a DC 14 Dexterity saving throw or take 14 (4d6) piercing damage and be pushed 5 feet away. Creatures that fail the save by 5 or more are also knocked prone.
Defensive Stance (1/Day).
Acanthopholis braces itself for incoming attacks. Until the start of its next turn:
- It gains resistance to all damage except psychic.
- Opportunity attacks against it are made with disadvantage.Enemies that miss melee attacks against it take 2 (1d4) piercing damage from its armor.
Tactics
- Acanthopholis avoids combat if unprovoked, relying on camouflage and armor to stay safe.
- When threatened, it positions itself to shield allies or block narrow terrain, using its Spiked Turn to repel foes.
- If bloodied (reduced to half HP), it uses Defensive Stance and retreats into dense foliage or terrain to regain advantage from Natural Camouflage.
- It will not pursue foes—it fights defensively, acting as a living barrier.
Acanthopholis
Originally Posted by Wippit Guud of the En World forums.
Acanthopholis is a lightly-armored dinosaur related to anklosaurus, but roughly half the size. Like it’s relative, it’s covered in armored plates, and has a large bone growth at the end of its tail, used to attack with.
| Acanthopholis | |
| Large Beast | |
| Hit Dice | 5d10+16 (43 hp) |
| Initiative | +0 |
| Speed | 30 ft. |
| AC | 21 (-1 Size, +12 natural) |
| Attacks | Tail slap +7 melee |
| Damage | Tail slap 2d4+7 |
| Face/Reach | 5 ft. by 10 ft./5 ft. |
| Special Attack | Trample |
| Special Qualities | Scent |
| Saves | Fort +8, Ref +4, Will +2 |
| Abilities | Strength 20, Dexterity 10, Constitution 19, Intelligence 1, Wisdom 13, Charisma 9 |
| Skills | Listen +4, Spot +4 |
| Climate/Terrain | Warm forest, hill, and plains |
| Organization | Solitary, pair, or herd (3-10) |
| Challenge Rating | 3 |
| Treasure | None |
| Alignment | Always neutral |
| Advancement | 5-8 HD (Large) |
Trample (Ex) An acanthopholis can trample medium-size or smaller creatures for 2d8+7 points of damage. Opponents who do not make attacks of opportunity against the acanthopholis can attempt a Reflex save (DC 18) to halve the damage.