Buy me a coffeeDinosaur, Utahraptor, the Sickle-Talon Horror
“Lurking in the prehistoric shadows, the Utahraptor is a giant, feathered nightmare with sickle claws sharp enough to shred bone and the cunning of a pack-hunting apex predator!”
The Utahraptor is a hulking, feathered predator standing nearly 6 feet at the hip and stretching over 20 feet in length. Its body is sheathed in coarse, dark plumage with streaks of amber and black, offering both camouflage and intimidation. A narrow, elongated skull houses dozens of serrated teeth designed for slicing flesh. Most striking are its hind feet—each sporting a curved, 9-inch sickle claw, perpetually raised and honed like a butcher’s scythe. Its long, rigid tail acts as a counterbalance, allowing unnervingly agile movement. Eyes glint with an unsettling intelligence—hunter’s eyes that never blink when fixed on prey.
Behavior
Utahraptors are apex pack predators with a complex social hierarchy. Although capable of solitary hunting, they often operate in coordinated groups of 3 to 6 individuals, each with a specific role in ambushes. Intra-pack communication involves low-frequency growls, tail flicks, and feather displays. Packs are loyal and territorial, defending their hunting grounds with brutal efficiency. Lone Utahraptors are more erratic and far more aggressive.
Habitat
These raptors dwell in dense coniferous forests, red rock canyons, and scrub-covered badlands. Their nests are often located in elevated caves or cliffside alcoves, where they rear their young away from ground-based threats. They are most active at dawn and dusk, when their feathers blend into the shifting shadows.
Modus Operandi
Utahraptors are ambush predators par excellence. They use terrain to their advantage—lurking in underbrush or atop ridges before descending in coordinated attacks. A favored tactic involves flanking prey while one member serves as a distraction. Once within striking distance, the lead raptor launches with both talons extended, aiming to disembowel with its signature toe claw. Quick, calculated strikes followed by relentless pursuit define their killing style. They do not roar or bellow; their kills are often silent, surgical, and terrifyingly efficient.
Motivation
Driven by hunger, territoriality, and the instinct to dominate, Utahraptors kill not just for sustenance, but to assert control over their domain. In rare cases, they have been known to hunt for sport—testing new tactics, or targeting threats not out of necessity, but challenge. Pack leaders, in particular, may stalk intruders for days, learning their patterns before striking.
Utahraptor 5e
Utahraptor, Pathfinder
Utahraptor 3.5
Utahraptor
Large Beast (Dinosaur), Unaligned
Challenge 7 (2,900 XP) Proficiency Bonus +3
Description
The Utahraptor is a cunning, coordinated predator that stalks ancient forests and arid badlands with deadly precision. Covered in coarse, feather-like plumage and equipped with a crescent-shaped talon on each hind foot, it is the archetype of the apex ambush hunter. Packs of Utahraptors exhibit sophisticated group tactics, capable of overwhelming prey many times their size. Silent, swift, and surgical in their methods, they are as intelligent as they are relentless.
Armor Class 15 (Natural Armor)
Hit Points 136 (16d10 + 48)
Speed 50 ft., climb 20 ft., long jump 30 ft.
| STR | DEX | CON | INT | WIS | CHA |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 20 (+5) | 17 (+3) | 16 (+3) | 4 (–3) | 14 (+2) | 7 (–2) |
Saving Throws Dex +6, Wis +5
Skills Perception +5, Stealth +7, Survival +5
Damage Resistances Bludgeoning from nonmagical attacks (while near allied Utahraptors)
Senses Darkvision 60 ft., Passive Perception 15
Languages —
Proficiency Bonus +3
Traits
Pack Predator.
The Utahraptor has advantage on melee attack rolls against a creature if at least one of its allies is within 10 feet of the target and not incapacitated. While within 30 feet of another Utahraptor, it has resistance to nonmagical bludgeoning damage.
Keen Senses.
The Utahraptor has advantage on Wisdom (Perception) checks that rely on sight or smell.
Ambush Tactics.
In the first round of combat, the Utahraptor has advantage on attack rolls against any creature that hasn’t taken a turn. In natural terrain, it has advantage on Dexterity (Stealth) checks made to hide.
Leap and Lacerate.
The Utahraptor can jump up to 30 feet in a straight line. If it lands within 5 feet of a creature, it can make one Talons attack as a bonus action.
Actions
Multiattack.
The Utahraptor makes three attacks: one with its Bite and two with its Talons. Alternatively, it can use Rending Pounce, if available.
Bite.
Melee Weapon Attack: +8 to hit, reach 5 ft., one target.
Hit: 18 (2d10 + 5) piercing damage.
Talons.
Melee Weapon Attack: +8 to hit, reach 5 ft., one target.
Hit: 15 (2d8 + 5) slashing damage.
If the target is a creature, it must succeed on a DC 16 Strength saving throw or be knocked prone.
Rending Pounce (Recharge 5–6).
The Utahraptor leaps up to 20 feet and targets one creature within range. The target must make a DC 16 Dexterity saving throw. On a failed save, the creature takes 22 (4d8 + 4) slashing damage, is knocked prone, and begins bleeding. A bleeding creature takes 5 slashing damage at the start of each of its turns until a creature uses an action to staunch the wound with a successful DC 12 Wisdom (Medicine) check.
Reactions
Opportunistic Strike.
When a prone creature within 5 feet of the Utahraptor stands up, the Utahraptor can make a Talons attack against it as a reaction.
Tactics
- Solitary Utahraptors rely on stealth and speed to ambush lone prey or stragglers, often retreating and repositioning to avoid prolonged combat.
- Packs coordinate using flanking maneuvers, with one raptor drawing attention while the others circle and strike from blind spots.
- They will withdraw only if outnumbered and severely injured, otherwise fighting with relentless efficiency, especially when defending nests or territory.
Variant: Alpha Utahraptor
A dominant leader may emerge in larger packs, serving as a boss encounter or territorial apex.
Adjustments:
- HP: 189 (18d12 + 72)
- Legendary Actions (2/turn):
- Talons. Makes a Talons attack.
- Stalk. Moves up to half its speed without provoking opportunity attacks.
- Ambush Feint. Uses Ambush Tactics again against a single target.
Roar of the Alpha (1/Day):
The Alpha Utahraptor unleashes a territorial roar. All allied beasts within 60 feet may immediately move up to 15 feet and make one weapon attack.
Utahraptor
This large dinosaur is birdlike in appearance. Its wicked talons sport a huge curved claw on the second toe of each foot. Utahraptors are the largest known dromaeosaurs, the group of dinosaurs commonly known as raptors. It is a larger relative of deinonychus, and is unrelated to the megaraptor, which is no longer considered a dromaeosaur. Utahraptors are up to 21 feet long and can weigh 1,500 pounds.
Originally Posted by Shade of the En World forums.
On this Thread
This predator stands upright, with muscled forelimbs, sinuous tail, and 6-inch-long hooked claws. A long reptilian snout opens wide with a short bark to display a set of deadly sharp teeth.
Utahraptors are clever predators that like to hunt in packs and ambush their prey. They prefer lone targerts, but if they’re hungry enough, or if they outnumber the group, they are just as likely to attack.
| Dinosaur, Utahraptor | |
| Large animal | |
| Hit Dice | 7d8+42 (73 hp) |
| Initiative | +1 |
| Speed | 60 ft. (12 squares) |
| Armor Class | 17 (-1 size, +1 Dexterity, +7 natural), touch 10, flat-footed 16 |
| Base Attack/Grapple | +5/+17 |
| Attack | Talons +7 melee (2d6+8) |
| Full Attack | Talons +7 melee (2d6+8) and 2 foreclaws +5 melee (1d4+4) and bite +5 melee (2d6+4) |
| Space/Reach | 10 ft./5 ft. |
| Special Attacks | Pounce |
| Special Qualities | Low-Light Vision, Scent |
| Saves | Fort +12, Ref +6, Will +5 |
| Abilities | Strength 27, Dexterity 13, Constitution 23, Intelligence 2, Wisdom 12, Charisma 10 |
| Skills | Hide +6, Jump +30, Listen +10, Spot +10, Survival +10 |
| Feats | Iron Will (B), Multiattack, Run, Track |
| Environment | Warm forests |
| Organization | Solitary, pair, or pack (3–6) |
| Challenge Rating | 5 |
| Treasure | None |
| Alignment | Always neutral |
| Advancement | 8-14 HD (Large); 15-21 HD (Huge) |
| Level Adjustment | – |
COMBAT
Like its smaller relative the deinonychus, a utahraptor hunts by running down prey, then pouncing and ripping with its rear talons as it claws and bites. The talons count as one attack.
Pounce (Ex): If a utahraptor charges, it can make a full attack.
Skills: A utahraptor has a +8 racial bonus on Hide, Jump, Listen, Spot, and Survival checks.
Originally appeared in Dungeon Magazine #54 (1995).
Utahraptor
This massive feathered predator towers above most raptors, its killing talons raised mid-leap as its primal shriek echoes through the trees.
Utahraptor CR 6
XP 2,400
N Large animal
Init +6; Senses low-light vision, scent; Perception +9
DEFENSE
AC 20, touch 13, flat-footed 17 (+2 Dex, +1 dodge, +7 natural)
hp 76 (8d8+40)
Fort +9, Ref +8, Will +5
Defensive Abilities evasive pack instinct; DR 5/bludgeoning (see evasive pack instinct)
OFFENSE
Speed 50 ft., climb 20 ft.
Melee bite +12 (2d6+6), 2 talons +12 (1d8+6/19–20), 2 foreclaws +12 (1d4+2)
Space 10 ft.; Reach 5 ft.
Special Attacks pounce, rake (2 talons +12, 1d8+6/19–20), rending leap, shred and bleed
STATISTICS
Str 23, Dex 15, Con 20, Int 2, Wis 14, Cha 10
Base Atk +6; CMB +13; CMD 26 (30 vs. trip)
Feats Dodge, Improved Critical (talons), Improved Initiative, Weapon Focus (talons)
Skills Acrobatics +10 (+22 when jumping), Climb +14, Perception +9, Stealth +7
Racial Modifiers +8 Acrobatics (jumping), +8 Climb
SQ ambush predator, evasive pack instinct
ECOLOGY
Environment temperate or warm forests, scrublands, canyons
Organization solitary, pair, or pack (3–6)
Treasure none
SPECIAL ABILITIES
Ambush Predator (Ex)
In the first round of combat, a Utahraptor gains a +4 bonus on attack and damage rolls against flat-footed or unaware targets. In natural terrain, it gains a +4 bonus on Stealth checks and may attempt to hide even while observed, provided it has partial cover or concealment.
Evasive Pack Instinct (Ex)
While within 30 feet of another Utahraptor, this creature gains damage reduction 5/bludgeoning and a +2 dodge bonus to AC. These bonuses are lost if no allied Utahraptors remain conscious within range.
Rending Leap (Ex)
As a full-round action, a Utahraptor may leap up to 30 feet and make a full attack at the end of its movement. If both talon attacks hit the same creature, it rends its target for an additional 2d6+9 slashing damage and automatically applies the shred and bleed effect.
Shred and Bleed (Ex)
A creature hit by both talon attacks in the same round begins to bleed for 2d6 points per round. This bleeding continues until a successful DC 15 Heal check is made or magical healing is applied. Utahraptors gain a +4 bonus on Survival checks to track bleeding creatures.
TACTICS
Before Combat
Utahraptors rely on stealth and terrain. They ambush from cliffs, thickets, or elevated positions. In packs, they surround prey and strike in unison.
During Combat
A Utahraptor opens with rending leap, using pounce and rake to deliver burst damage. It focuses attacks on isolated or already-wounded foes, using its high mobility to reposition between turns.
Morale
A lone Utahraptor flees if reduced below 15 hit points unless cornered. A pack fights to the death if defending its territory or young.
DESCRIPTION
Looming nearly 7 feet at the hip and stretching over 20 feet long, the Utahraptor is the largest known dromaeosaurid. Despite its bulk, it moves with terrifying grace, its powerful hind legs and recurved talons capable of disemboweling prey mid-leap. Its coarse, feather-like covering hints at an ancient link between dinosaurs and birds.
Utahraptors are intelligent by animal standards, capable of cooperative tactics and problem-solving. Packs are highly territorial and will viciously defend nesting sites. Though feared by most predators, they are sometimes revered by primitive cultures as spirit-hunters or avatars of primordial rage.