Buy me a coffeeDinosaur, Spinosaurus
You’ll never guess how this 50-foot, sail-backed super-predator hunted like a crocodile… and ruled both land and water!
A behemoth of sinew and sail, the Spinosaurus towers over its surroundings at nearly 50 feet long, with a narrow, crocodilian snout bristling with interlocking conical teeth. Its most striking feature is the towering dorsal sail—formed by elongated neural spines—that ripples with vibrant skin patterns, while its muscular forelimbs end in hooked claws capable of rending flesh or grappling massive fish. Scaly, water-shedding hide cloaks a lithe yet powerful frame, and a long, paddle-like tail propels it through water with surprising grace.
Behaviour:
Primarily solitary and patient, a Spinosaurus spends hours submerged or wading in riverbanks, scanning for ripples or splashing prey. It communicates with low-frequency bellows that resonate through water and marsh, and uses lateral head swings and sail displays to warn rivals or brusque courtship. On land, it moves with a deliberate, lumbering gait—its weight balanced over wide hips—but can erupt into sudden bursts of speed when provoked or pursuing vulnerable prey.
Habitat:
Inundated river deltas, freshwater lagoons, and mangrove-like swamplands of Cretaceous North Africa, the Spinosaurus stakes claim to banks and shallow channels. It establishes breeding nests on raised gravel bars, marking territories with overturned logs and scraped soil, while juveniles lurk in dense reeds until they outgrow local crocodilians.
Modus Operandi:
With stealth and ambush as its creed, the Spinosaurus drifts submerged, nearly invisible save for its sail crest above the waterline. When a school of fish or unwary dinosaur strays close, it lunges, snatching victims with a swift, side-to-side snap of its jaws. On land, it leverages its massive foreclaws to hook and wrest foes into the water, drowning them in a flurry of thrashing tail strikes. If cornered, it backs into water, using buoyancy for defense and to leverage its sail-borne display as a last-ditch intimidation.
Motivation:
Driven by relentless hunger and territorial instinct, Spinosaurus is a master of dual domains—land and water. It defends its waterways relentlessly to secure spawning fish runs, and will challenge any predator or rival that dares contest its aquatic hunting grounds. Though not inherently malevolent, its survival hinges on dominance of the river realm, making it a formidable guardian of its swampy empire.
Spinosaurus 5e
Spinosaurus 5e
Spinosaurus, young 5e
Spinosaurus 3.5
Spinosaurus
Gargantuan Beast, Unaligned
- Armor Class 14 (Natural Armor)
- Hit Points 195 (17d20 + 51)
- Speed 40 ft., Swim 50 ft.
| STR | DEX | CON | INT | WIS | CHA |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 25 (+7) | 12 (+1) | 17 (+3) | 3 (−4) | 14 (+2) | 8 (−1) |
- Saving Throws Dex +5, Con +7, Wis +6
- Skills Perception +10, Stealth +5 (in water)
- Senses Darkvision 60 ft., Passive Perception 20
- Languages —
- Challenge 12 (8,400 XP)
Traits
- Water Mastery. While in water, the Spinosaurus gains advantage on attack rolls and Dexterity saving throws, and its swim speed increases to 60 ft.
- Sail Display. As a bonus action, the Spinosaurus can flare its dorsal sail. Each creature of its choice within 30 ft. that can see it must succeed on a DC 16 Wisdom saving throw or be frightened until the end of its next turn. Once used, this trait can’t be used again until the Spinosaurus finishes a short or long rest.
Actions
- Multiattack. The Spinosaurus makes two attacks: one with its Bite and one with its Claw.
- Bite. Melee Weapon Attack: +11 to hit, reach 10 ft., one target. Hit: 28 (4d10 + 7) piercing damage.
- Claw. Melee Weapon Attack: +11 to hit, reach 5 ft., one target. Hit: 22 (3d8 + 7) slashing damage.
- Hook and Drag (Recharge 5–6). The Spinosaurus sweeps a claw in a 15‑ft. radius. Each creature in that area must make a DC 17 Strength saving throw or take 31 (7d8) slashing damage and be grappled (escape DC 17). While grappled, a creature is restrained and can’t breathe air unless the Spinosaurus is out of water. The Spinosaurus can then drag one grappled creature up to 30 ft. straight toward itself.
Reactions
- Spine Shield. When a creature the Spinosaurus can see hits it with a melee attack while it’s in water, it can interpose its sail, imposing disadvantage on the triggering attack.
Legendary Actions
The Spinosaurus can take 2 legendary actions, choosing from the options below. Only one legendary action can be used at a time and only at the end of another creature’s turn. The Spinosaurus regains spent legendary actions at the start of its turn.
- Detect. The Spinosaurus makes a Wisdom (Perception) check.
- Tail Swipe. Melee Weapon Attack: +11 to hit, reach 15 ft., one target. Hit: 19 (2d10 + 7) bludgeoning damage, and the target must succeed on a DC 17 Strength saving throw or be knocked prone.
- Aqua Lunge (Costs 2 Actions). The Spinosaurus moves up to half its swim speed without provoking opportunity attacks.
Tactics
- Aquatic Ambush. Lurks submerged to close in unseen, then strikes with a devastating Bite.
- Counter‑Pull. Uses Hook and Drag to yank shore‑bound foes into deep water.
- Intimidation Spiral. Opens with Sail Display when outnumbered, then follows up with Tail Swipe legendary actions to knock down survivors.
- Tactical Retreat. If critically wounded, dives deep to leverage Water Mastery and recover before striking again.
Dinosaur, Spinosaurus
Family: Dinosaurs
Gargantuan beast, unaligned
Armor Class 15 (natural armor)
Hit Points 231 (14d20 + 84)
Speed 60 ft., swim 40 ft.
| STR | DEX | CON | INT | WIS | CHA |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 27 (+8) | 9 (-1) | 22 (+6) | 2 (-4) | 11 (+0) | 10 (+0) |
Skills Perception +5
Senses passive Perception 15
Languages –
Challenge 13 (10,000 XP)
Special Traits
- Tamed. The spinosaurus will never willingly attack any reptilian humanoid, and if forced or magically compelled to do so, it suffers disadvantage on attack rolls. Up to twelve Medium or four Large creatures can ride the spinosaurus. This trait disappears if the spinosaurus spends a month away from any reptilian humanoid.
- Siege Monster. The spinosaurus deals double damage to objects and structures.
Actions
- Multiattack. The spinosaurus makes one bite attack and two claw attacks.
- Bite. Melee Weapon Attack: +13 to hit, reach 15 ft., one target. Hit: 34 (4d12 + 8) piercing damage. If the target is a Large or smaller creature, it is grappled (escape DC 18). When the spinosaurus moves, the grappled creature moves with it. Until this grapple ends, the target is restrained and the spinosaurus can’t bite another target.
- Claw. Melee Weapon Attack: +13 to hit, reach 10 ft., one target. Hit: 22 (4d6 + 8) slashing damage.
- Tail. Melee Weapon Attack: +13 to hit, reach 20 ft., one target. Hit: 21 (3d8 + 8) bludgeoning damage.
- Frightful Presence. Each creature of the spinosaurus’ choice that is within 120 feet of the spinosaurus and aware of it must succeed on a DC 18 Wisdom saving throw or become frightened for 1 minute. A frightened creature repeats the saving throw at the end of each of its turns, ending the effect on itself on a success. If a creature’s saving throw is successful or the effect ends for it, the creature is immune to the spinosaurus’ Frightful Presence for the next 24 hours.
Legendary Actions
The spinosaurus can take 3 legendary actions, choosing from the options below. Only one legendary action option can be used at a time and only at the end of another creature’s turn.
The spinosaurus regains spent legendary actions at the start of its turn.
- Move. The spinosaurus moves up to half its speed.
- Roar. The spinosaurus uses Frightful Presence.
- Tail Attack (Costs 2 Actions). The spinosaurus makes one tail attack.
About
This immense saurian has a long tooth-filled maw, powerful claws, and colorful spines running the length of its spine. An adult dire spinosaurus is 70 feet long and weighs 35,000 pounds or more, and a young spinosaurus is 20 feet long and weighs 6,000 pounds or more.
About
Spinosauruses mate each year in the winter. Male spinosauruses bring food and help build an enormous nest of reeds, sticks, and mud. Then the male departs, leaving the female to lay and care for the eggs. Spinosaurus eggs are typically found in nests along riversides or deep in marshes.
A spinosaurus is a land and riverine predator capable of carrying a platoon of lizardfolk long distances on raids. Often called a river king or river dragon, they are worshiped by bullywugs and other primitive humanoids.
Friend to Lizardfolk. The spinosaurus is a special saurian bred for size and loyalty by lizardfolk. Lizardfolk prize them like prime warhorses, and lavish them with food and care.
Swift Predator. A spinosaurus is quick on both land and water.
Spinosauruses As Mounts
They are sometimes stolen and sold, generally to lizardfolk and sometimes to daring humans with a knack for training animals. These eggs are worth as much as 2,000 gp apiece; live young are worth twice that. Characters eager for dire spinosaurus mounts, however, should note that buying or domesticating such an enormous carnivore requires vast amounts of food and vast stores of patience. They do not take easily to domestication.
Before it can be ridden in combat, a spinosaurus must practice bearing the weight of its trainer and passengers.
They rarely master more than a handful of tricks, but they are extremely comfortable in the water and are aware that some of their riders may not breathe water.
An adult spinosaurus can carry up to six tons as cargo.
Riding a spinosaurus requires an exotic saddle, riding platform, or howdah.
Lizardfolk use spinosauruses as a mode of transportation; they are large enough to pull barges or to carry a crew of raiders anywhere on the rivers, and they are reasonably swift overland as well. Lizardfolk scouts are especially fond of these enormous reptiles, as they are powerful combatants and capable of carrying a dozen lizardfolk warriors.
In addition to their role as trained raiders, some spinosauruses live in or along major river systems. There they are also called “river dragons” or sometimes “river walkers”. They are kept as sacred animals in several river temples, where they are fed regular meals and have been known to grow to enormous size and strength.
Finally, spinosauruses carry high value spice cargoes when banditry is rife or when a lizardfolk mercenary company is available to guard materials.
These beasts are often especially bred for gaudy coloration: green-and-orange, blue-and-gold, and even red-and-black bloodlines are spotted occasionally.
Section 15: Copyright Notice
Tome of Beasts. Copyright 2016, Open Design; Authors Chris Harris, Dan Dillon, Rodrigo Garcia Carmona, and Wolfgang Baur.
Dinosaur, Spinosaurus, Young
Family: Dinosaurs
Huge beast, unaligned
Armor Class 14 (natural armor)
Hit Points 105 (10d12 + 40)
Speed 50 ft., swim 30 ft.
| STR | DEX | CON | INT | WIS | CHA |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 23 (+6) | 11 (+0) | 19 (+4) | 2 (-4) | 11 (+0) | 8 (-1) |
Skills Perception +3
Senses passive Perception 13
Languages –
Challenge 5 (1,800 XP)
Special Traits
- Tamed. The spinosaurus never willingly attacks any reptilian humanoid, and if forced or magically compelled to do so it suffers disadvantage on attack rolls. Up to three Medium or one Large creatures can ride the spinosaurus. This trait disappears if the spinosaurus spends a month away from any reptilian humanoid.
Actions
- Multiattack. The spinosaurus makes one bite attack and two claw attacks.
- Bite. Melee Weapon Attack: +9 to hit, reach 10ft., one target. Hit: 25 (3d12 + 6) piercing damage. If the target is a Medium or smaller creature, it is grappled (escape DC 16). Until this grapple ends, the target is restrained and the spinosaurus can’t bite another target.
- Claw. Melee Weapon Attack: +9 to hit, reach 5 ft., one target. Hit: 13 (2d6 + 6) slashing damage.
About
This saurian has a long tooth-filled maw, powerful claws, and colorful spines running the length of its spine. It is 20 feet long and weighs 6,000 pounds or more.
About
Spinosauruses mate each year in the winter. Male spinosauruses bring food and help build an enormous nest of reeds, sticks, and mud. Then the male departs, leaving the female to lay and care for the eggs. Spinosaurus eggs are typically found in nests along riversides or deep in marshes.
A spinosaurus is a land and riverine predator capable of carrying a platoon of lizardfolk long distances on raids. Often called a river king or river dragon, they are worshiped by bullywugs and other primitive humanoids.
Friend to Lizardfolk. The spinosaurus is a special saurian bred for size and loyalty by lizardfolk. Lizardfolk prize them like prime warhorses, and lavish them with food and care.
Swift Predator. A spinosaurus is quick on both land and water.
Spinosauruses As Mounts
They are sometimes stolen and sold, generally to lizardfolk and sometimes to daring humans with a knack for training animals. These eggs are worth as much as 2,000 gp apiece; live young are worth twice that. Characters eager for dire spinosaurus mounts, however, should note that buying or domesticating such an enormous carnivore requires vast amounts of food and vast stores of patience. They do not take easily to domestication.
Before it can be ridden in combat, a spinosaurus must practice bearing the weight of its trainer and passengers.
They rarely master more than a handful of tricks, but they are extremely comfortable in the water and are aware that some of their riders may not breathe water.
An adult spinosaurus can carry up to six tons as cargo.
Riding a spinosaurus requires an exotic saddle, riding platform, or howdah.
Lizardfolk use spinosauruses as a mode of transportation; they are large enough to pull barges or to carry a crew of raiders anywhere on the rivers, and they are reasonably swift overland as well. Lizardfolk scouts are especially fond of these enormous reptiles, as they are powerful combatants and capable of carrying a dozen lizardfolk warriors.
In addition to their role as trained raiders, some spinosauruses live in or along major river systems. There they are also called “river dragons” or sometimes “river walkers”. They are kept as sacred animals in several river temples, where they are fed regular meals and have been known to grow to enormous size and strength.
Finally, spinosauruses carry high value spice cargoes when banditry is rife or when a lizardfolk mercenary company is available to guard materials.
These beasts are often especially bred for gaudy coloration: green-and-orange, blue-and-gold, and even red-and-black bloodlines are spotted occasionally.
Section 15: Copyright Notice
Tome of Beasts. Copyright 2016, Open Design; Authors Chris Harris, Dan Dillon, Rodrigo Garcia Carmona, and Wolfgang Baur.
Largest of the bipedal predatory dinosaurs, towering even over the tyrannosaurus. It has longer arms than the latter, and it occasionally moves on all fours. It’s named for its large, saillike, ribbed fin that extends down the length of its back.
Originally Posted by Raptorial of the Wizards Community forums.
Spinosaurus Gargantuan animal Hit Dice 24d8+120 (228 hp) Initiative +0 Speed 40 ft. (8 squares), Swim 40 ft. (8 squares) Armor Class 13 (-4 size, +7 natural), touch 6, flat-footed 13 Base Attack/Grapple +18/+39 Attack Bite +23 melee (2d8+9) Full Attack Bite +23 melee (2d8+9) and 2 claws +18 melee (2d6+4) Space/Reach 20 ft./15 ft. Special Attacks Improved grab, swallow whole Special Qualities Low-Light Vision, hold breath (7 rounds x Constitution modifier), Scent Saves Fort +21, Ref +16, Will +10 Abilities Strength 29, Dexterity 11, Constitution 21, Intelligence 2, Wisdom 11, Charisma 12 Skills Hide -10, Intimidate +6, Listen +7, Move Silently +2, Search +3, Spot +7, Survival +4 Feats Alertness, Die Hard, Endurance, Great Fortitude, Iron Will, lightning reflexes, Power Attack, Stealthy, Track Environment Warm marshes Organization Solitary, Pair, or Family (2-5) Challenge Rating 16 Treasure None Alignment Always neutral Advancement 25-48 HD (Gargantuan); 49-72 HD (Colossal) Level Adjustment –