Buy me a coffeeDinosaur, Baryonyx, the River-Clawed Stalker
“The Baryonyx lurks beneath the water’s edge—ready to rise in a flash of claws, teeth, and terror!”
Baryonyx is a long-limbed, crocodile-snouted predator standing nearly 10 feet tall and stretching over 30 feet in length. Its hide is mottled in shades of moss green, slate blue, or muddy brown, providing natural camouflage along murky riverbanks. The skull is narrow and elongated, lined with dozens of conical teeth suited for gripping slippery prey. Its most distinct feature is the oversized claw—nearly a foot long—curving wickedly from each hand like a natural fishhook.
Behaviour:
Despite its formidable size, its a stealthy, solitary hunter. It shows patience uncommon in theropods, often standing motionless for hours near a river’s edge, waiting for the perfect moment to strike. When not hunting, it will prowl its territory slowly and silently, marking trees or stones with claw marks as warning signs to intruders.
Habitat:
Baryonyx thrives in wet, subtropical lowlands—coastal estuaries, mangrove swamps, floodplains, and wide slow-moving rivers. It prefers areas with abundant fish, but will range inland if the waterways dry or food is scarce. It is rarely seen in open plains, avoiding arid climates altogether.
Modus Operandi:
A master of ambush, Baryonyx uses shallow water and brush to conceal its approach. It strikes with speed and precision, using its hooked claw to snag fish from water—or rip open the flanks of land-dwelling prey. Once it brings down a victim, it drags them into the shallows, drowning or disabling them before feeding. If outmatched, it flees into water, where it is fast, maneuverable, and difficult to pursue.
Motivation:
Driven by hunger and territorial instinct, Baryonyx seeks to control key fishing spots and river fords. It does not attack indiscriminately but reacts violently to perceived threats or competition. Intelligent in a predatory way, it learns from failed ambushes and adapts quickly—its mind guided not by malice, but cold, calculated survival.
Baryonyx 5e
Baryonyx 3.5
Baryonyx, River-Clawed Stalker
Large Beast, Unaligned
Challenge: 5 (1,800 XP) • Proficiency Bonus: +3
Armor Class 15 (thick hide)
Hit Points 95 (10d10 + 40)
Speed 40 ft., swim 30 ft.
| STR | DEX | CON | INT | WIS | CHA |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 19 (+4) | 14 (+2) | 18 (+4) | 2 (–4) | 13 (+1) | 7 (–2) |
Saving Throws Dex +5, Wis +4
Skills Perception +4, Stealth +5, Survival +4
Senses Darkvision 60 ft., Passive Perception 14
Languages —
Type Beast
Size Large
Traits
Amphibious Predator.
Baryonyx can breathe air and water and suffers no penalties when fighting underwater.
Hooked Claw.
Once per turn when Baryonyx hits a creature with a claw attack, the target must succeed on a DC 15 Strength saving throw or be knocked prone or pulled 10 feet closer (Baryonyx’s choice).
Stealthy Hunter.
Baryonyx has advantage on Dexterity (Stealth) checks made in swamp, river, or forest terrain.
Blood in the Water.
If a creature within 30 feet is below its hit point maximum, Baryonyx has advantage on Wisdom (Perception) and Wisdom (Survival) checks to locate it.
Actions
Multiattack.
Baryonyx makes two attacks: one with its Bite and one with its Claw.
- Bite. Melee Weapon Attack: +7 to hit, reach 5 ft., one target.
Hit: 16 (2d10 + 5) piercing damage. - Claw. Melee Weapon Attack: +7 to hit, reach 5 ft., one target.
Hit: 13 (2d8 + 4) slashing damage.
If this hits, activate Hooked Claw.
Bonus Actions
Thrash and Drag (Recharge 5–6).
Baryonyx targets one prone or grappled creature within 5 feet. The creature must make a DC 15 Constitution saving throw or take 14 (4d6) bludgeoning damage and be dragged up to 10 feet by Baryonyx into difficult terrain (typically water or mud). On a success, the target takes half damage and is not moved.
Reactions
Watery Escape.
When Baryonyx takes damage and is within 10 feet of water or swampy terrain, it may move up to its speed into that terrain without provoking opportunity attacks.
Tactics
- Ambush Predator: Baryonyx waits submerged or hidden along riverbanks, using Stealthy Hunter to remain unseen until prey is within range.
- Disruption: It uses Hooked Claw to unbalance foes, dragging them into difficult terrain or water with Thrash and Drag.
- Target Priority: Focuses on wounded or isolated enemies, guided by Blood in the Water.
- Escape Option: If outmatched, it uses Watery Escape to retreat into the environment.
Environment:
- Swamps, tropical rivers, coastal estuaries, jungle waterways
- Often found near ancient temples, drowned ruins, or lost jungle paths
Resting Baryonyx being groomed by small pterosaurs and birds http://durbed.deviantart.com/art/Heavy-Claw-348535398
Baryonyx is about 40 feet long from nose to tail, weighing about 4 tons. It feeds mainly on fish.
Originally Posted by Insane Pixie of the Wizards Community forums.
The mouth shape of this dinosaur was very similar to that of a crocodile, and it had a large claws on its thumb. Baryonyx crouches on river banks or wades into shallow water to hook fish with its claws. It was also a scavenger.
| Baryonyx | |
| Huge animal | |
| Hit Dice | 18d8+95 (179 hp) |
| Initiative | +5 |
| Speed | 40 ft. (8 squares) |
| Armor Class | 18 (-2 size, +2 Dexterity, +8 natural), touch 10, flat-footed 16 |
| Base Attack/Grapple | +14/+30 |
| Attack | Bite +20 melee (3d6+12) |
| Full Attack | Bite +20 melee (3d6+12) and 2 foreclaws +15 melee (1d8+4) |
| Space/Reach | 15 ft./10 ft. (5 ft. with foreclaws) |
| Special Attacks | Improved grab |
| Special Qualities | Low-Light Vision, Scent |
| Saves | Fort +16, Ref +12, Will +8 |
| Abilities | Strength 26, Dexterity 12, Constitution 21, Intelligence 2, Wisdom 15, Charisma 10 |
| Skills | Jump +12, Listen +11, Spot +10, Swim +12 |
| Feats | Alertness, Awesome Blow, Combat Reflexes, Improved Initiative, Power Attack, Run, Snatch |
| Climate/Terrain | Warm plains |
| Organization | Solitary or pair |
| Challenge Rating | 9 |
| Treasure | None |
| Alignment | Always neutral |
| Advancement | 20-37 HD (Huge); 38-55 HD (Gargantuan) |
| Level Adjustment | – |
Combat
Improved Grab (Ex) – To use this ability, a baryonyx must hit an opponent of up to one size smaller with its bite attack. It can then attempt to start a grapple as a free action without provoking an attack of opportunity.
Skills – A baryonyx has a +2 racial bonus on Listen and Spot checks.