Buy me a coffee(Dinosaur) Psittacosaurus, the Bristled Forest Sprinter
“Don’t let the beak fool you—Psittacosaurus is a parrot-faced proto-beast with bristling tail quills and a sprint that’ll leave you in the dust!”
Psittacosaurus is a lithe, bipedal creature standing just under 3 feet tall at the hip and stretching nearly 6.5 feet from beak to bristled tail tip. Its most striking feature is a powerful, curved beak, shaped like that of a parrot but lined with crushing ridges for pulping tough vegetation. Covered in a mosaic of mottled greens and sandy browns, it blends seamlessly into the underbrush. Along its tail run a row of quill-like bristles, used for signaling and intimidation—rudimentary plumage hinting at its distant, feathery kin.
Behaviour
Psittacosaurus is vigilant, intelligent for a non-magical beast, and unusually social. It travels in small family bands or juvenile mobs, communicating through a complex series of chirps and tail-flicking displays. It can freeze in place with predator-like patience or burst into agile, zigzagging sprints if threatened. Though primarily herbivorous, it is not above gnawing mineral-rich bones or mushrooms for supplemental nutrients.
Habitat
Psittacosaurs thrive in dense Cretaceous forests, particularly near riverbanks and volcanic foothills. Their preferred habitats are semi-arid woodlands with frequent canopy breaks—places where ferns, cycads, and low shrubs flourish. Fossilized herds suggest they nested communally in shallow pits, often returning to the same nesting grounds across generations.
Modus Operandi
When startled or defending their young, Psittacosaurs will flank an intruder, using coordinated movements and sharp chirps to feint at larger foes. While lacking claws or horns, they can deliver a painful bite with their crushing beak. More often, they rely on their speed to escape, sometimes luring predators into unstable terrain or denser undergrowth where larger creatures falter.
Motivation
Psittacosaurus is driven by survival, kinship, and display. It seeks food rich in fiber and minerals, safe nesting sites, and dominance in its group through tail displays and vocalization. Though not malicious, a Psittacosaurus will not hesitate to lash out if its territory, offspring, or status are threatened.
Psittacosaurus 5e 2024
Psittacosaurus, Pathfinder
Psittacosaurus 3.5
Psittacosaurus
Small Beast, Unaligned
Armor Class 13 (natural armor)
Hit Points 27 (6d6 + 6)
Speed 40 ft.
STR DEX CON INT WIS CHA 12 (+1) 15 (+2) 13 (+1) 2 (–4) 14 (+2) 6 (–2)
Saving Throws Dex +4, Wis +4
Skills Perception +4, Stealth +4
Senses passive Perception 14
Languages —
Challenge 1/4 (50 XP) Proficiency Bonus +2
Keen Smell.
The Psittacosaurus has advantage on Wisdom (Perception) checks that rely on smell.
Pack Instincts.
The Psittacosaurus has advantage on attack rolls against a creature if at least one of the Psittacosaurus’s allies is within 5 feet of the creature and the ally isn’t incapacitated.
Camouflaged Scales.
While in forested or scrub terrain, the Psittacosaurus has advantage on Dexterity (Stealth) checks to hide.
Actions
Beak. Melee Weapon Attack: +3 to hit, reach 5 ft., one target.
Hit: 6 (1d8 + 1) piercing damage.
The beak is surprisingly strong, capable of cracking through tough plant material and small bones.
Tail Feint (Recharge 5–6).
With a flourish of its bristled tail, the Psittacosaurus startles a nearby creature. One creature within 10 feet that can see the Psittacosaurus must succeed on a DC 12 Wisdom saving throw or have disadvantage on its next attack roll before the end of its next turn.
When used in a pack, Tail Feint allows allies to swarm distracted foes with greater effectiveness.
Distracting Display (1/day).
If two or more Psittacosaurs are within 10 feet of each other, they may spend an action to perform a coordinated display, rapidly flicking tails and chirping in chorus.
Each hostile creature within 15 feet that can see and hear them must make a DC 12 Wisdom saving throw, or become frightened until the end of its next turn.
Tactics
- Flee and Flank: Psittacosaurs prefer to avoid combat, using their high speed and camouflage to hide or flee. If forced to fight, they use Tail Feint and Pack Instincts to swarm a distracted foe.
- Ambush from Underbrush: In their native terrain, they often hide beneath ferns or low growth, waiting until a predator passes to make a break for it—or ambush in numbers if their young are threatened.
- Disruption over Damage: They rarely fight to kill. Instead, they focus on confusion, distraction, and overwhelming through numbers, giving allies or larger dinosaurs time to react.
Ecology & Lore
Naturalists who observe these strange, parrot-faced dinosaurs report high social intelligence, a sharp sense of smell, and bold displays of dominance. The bristles on their tails seem to be used as much for intra-group communication as for defense. Druids regard them as sacred forest guardians, while certain kobold tribes revere them as messengers of the Earth Mother.
You awake to hear munching sounds coming from the nearby shrubbery and find yourself face to face with a certpian face. It doesn’t seem particularly afraid of you and continues eating.
Originally Posted by Darknecromancer of the Wizards Community forums.
On this Thread
| Psittacosaurus | |
| Medium animal | |
| Hit Dice | 2d8+2 (11 hp) |
| Initiative | +1 (+1 Dexterity) |
| Speed | 30 ft. (6 squares) |
| Armor Class | 13 (+1 Dexterity, +2 natural), touch 11, flat-footed 12 |
| Base Attack/Grapple | +1/+1 |
| Attack | Bite +2 melee (1d4 +0) |
| Full Attack | Bite +2 melee (1d4 +0) |
| Space/Reach | 5 ft./5 ft. |
| Special Attacks | – |
| Special Qualities | Low-Light Vision, Scent |
| Saves | Fort +4, Ref +4, Will +2 |
| Abilities | Strength 10, Dexterity 12, Constitution 13, Intelligence 2, Wisdom 15, Charisma 8 |
| Skills | Listen +4, Spot +5 |
| Feats | Weapon Focus(Bite) |
| Environment | Any Warm or Temperate land |
| Organization | Solitary |
| Challenge Rating | 1 |
| Treasure | None |
| Alignment | Always neutral |
| Advancement | 3-4 HD (Medium); 5-6 HD (Large) |
Combat
While not particularly threatening, a Psittacosaurus can give nasty bite marks with its beak.
Psittacosaurus
This parrot-beaked, bristle-tailed dinosaur darts through the underbrush with a chirping cry and a flash of plumage, alert and agile in its forested domain.
CR 1/2
XP 200
N Small animal
Init +3; Senses low-light vision, scent; Perception +6
DEFENSE
AC 14, touch 14, flat-footed 11 (+3 Dex, +1 size)
hp 9 (2d8)
Fort +3, Ref +6, Will +1
Defensive Abilities evasive leap
OFFENSE
Speed 40 ft.
Melee bite +3 (1d6+1)
Space 5 ft.; Reach 5 ft.
STATISTICS
Str 12, Dex 17, Con 11, Int 1, Wis 14, Cha 6
Base Atk +1; CMB +1; CMD 14 (18 vs. trip)
Feats Dodge
Skills Perception +6, Stealth +7
Racial Modifiers +4 Stealth in forested terrain
SQ quilled tail display, natural camouflage, pack coordination
ECOLOGY
Environment warm forests, scrublands, volcanic uplands
Organization solitary, pair, clutch (3–6), or herd (7–15)
Treasure none
SPECIAL ABILITIES
Evasive Leap (Ex)
Once per round when targeted by a melee or ranged attack, a Psittacosaurus may attempt a DC 15 Acrobatics check as an immediate action. If successful, it gains a +2 dodge bonus to AC against that attack. It must be standing on the ground and not entangled or grappled to use this ability.
Natural Camouflage (Ex)
While in forested or scrub terrain, a Psittacosaurus gains a +4 racial bonus on Stealth checks, and may make Stealth checks while moving at normal speed without penalty.
Pack Coordination (Ex)
If a Psittacosaurus is within 10 feet of at least one allied Psittacosaurus, it gains a +1 circumstance bonus on attack rolls and Reflex saves, and it may Aid Another as a swift action once per round.
Quilled Tail Display (Ex)
As a standard action, a Psittacosaurus may raise and rattle the long, bristle-like quills on its tail. All creatures within 30 feet who can see it must succeed on a DC 12 Will save or be dazzled for 1d4 rounds. This is a mind-affecting, visual effect. Once a creature has saved against this ability, it is immune to the same Psittacosaurus’s tail display for 24 hours.
This ability is often used to distract predators while other herd members flee.
TACTICS
Before Combat Psittacosaurs typically rely on their camouflage, remaining still and hidden in underbrush or among low ferns.
During Combat A lone Psittacosaurus avoids direct conflict unless cornered. If in a group, they use Quilled Tail Display to confuse enemies while others harass or escape. They will attempt to Aid Another in combat, distract foes, and then retreat using Evasive Leap.
Morale A Psittacosaurus flees if reduced to less than half hit points unless defending eggs or juveniles.
Variants
- Alpha Psittacosaurus (CR 1): +2 HD, gains Improved Feint, and may use Quilled Tail Display as a move action.
- Fey-Touched Psittacosaurus (CR 1): Gains DR 5/cold iron, low-light vision increases to darkvision 60 ft., and it can cast ghost sound 3/day and faerie fire 1/day as spell-like abilities (CL 3rd).
Companion Rules (Optional)
A Psittacosaurus can be taken as an animal companion with GM approval. Use the stats for a Velociraptor at –1 level, replacing Pounce with Quilled Tail Display.