Buy me a coffeeDinosaur, Styracosaurus, “The Spiked Sentinel of the Lost Plains”
“With a battering-ram horn and a crown of lethal spikes, the Styracosaurus turns the act of standing its ground into a brutal spectacle of bone and fury.”
The Styracosaurus is an imposing quadruped draped in armored hide, typically mottled in forest browns or swampy greens to camouflage among dense foliage. Its most distinctive features are a massive nasal horn jutting over two feet from its snout and a broad bony frill extending from the back of the skull, crowned with six to eight spear-like spikes. The frill may be marked with vivid colorations or scars—signs of age, rank, or seasonal display. Beneath this crown of thorns, a parrot-like beak cleaves through fibrous plant matter with ease.
Behaviour
Generally docile and slow to anger, Styracosaurs are herd-oriented creatures that rely on mutual vigilance for survival. They are not aggressive by default but respond to threats with calculated violence. When provoked or cornered, a Styracosaurus will lower its head and charge with terrifying force, attempting to gore intruders or predators with its horn before using its bulk to trample or shoulder them aside. Males may engage in ritual combat during mating seasons, locking frills and pushing against one another in displays of dominance.
Habitat
Styracosaurs dwell in humid floodplains, open fern prairies, and the edges of subtropical forests. They are common in ancient lowlands teeming with large herbivores, often found wallowing in mud or clustered in loosely organized migratory herds. Their trails are wide, flattened corridors through underbrush, and their presence is often betrayed by deep gouges in tree trunks or broken foliage.
Modus Operandi
If a threat is identified, particularly near calves or watering sites, the herd will react with rhythmic bellows and a defensive circle formation. One or more adults—often dominant males—will act as shock troops, charging in short bursts to drive off intruders. Their nasal horn is designed not only for stabbing but also for tearing, capable of delivering devastating wounds to soft targets. Styracosaurs avoid sustained chases, instead favoring short, explosive aggression followed by a return to herd cohesion.
Motivation
Styracosaurs are not predators, hoarders, or intelligent adversaries. Their motivation is survival and kin protection. They will not pursue fleeing enemies but will remember frequent disturbances and alter migration paths or form tighter, more defensive herds. A Styracosaurus that has been repeatedly attacked may become territorial and hostile, especially if injured or separated from its group.
Styracosaurus 5e
Styracosaurus 3.5
Styracosaurus
Huge Beast, Unaligned
Challenge 5 (1,800 XP)
Proficiency Bonus +3
Armor Class 15 (Natural Armor)
Hit Points 115 (11d12 + 44)
Speed 40 ft.
| STR | DEX | CON | INT | WIS | CHA |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 20 (+5) | 10 (+0) | 18 (+4) | 2 (–4) | 12 (+1) | 7 (–2) |
Saving Throws: Str +8, Con +7
Skills: Perception +4, Athletics +8
Senses: Passive Perception 14
Languages: —
Traits
Herd Tactics.
The Styracosaurus has advantage on attack rolls against a creature if at least one of the Styracosaurus’s allies is within 5 feet of the creature and the ally isn’t incapacitated.
Sure-Footed.
The Styracosaurus has advantage on saving throws against being knocked prone.
Charge.
If the Styracosaurus moves at least 20 feet straight toward a target and then hits it with a Goring Horn attack on the same turn, the target takes an extra 9 (2d8) piercing damage.
Actions
Multiattack.
The Styracosaurus makes two attacks: one with its Goring Horn and one with its Frill Bash.
Goring Horn.
Melee Weapon Attack: +8 to hit, reach 10 ft., one target.
Hit: 21 (3d10 + 5) piercing damage.
Frill Bash.
Melee Weapon Attack: +8 to hit, reach 5 ft., one target.
Hit: 16 (2d8 + 5) bludgeoning damage.
The target must succeed on a DC 15 Strength saving throw or be pushed 10 feet away and knocked prone.
Spike Sweep (Recharge 5–6).
The Styracosaurus sweeps its spiked frill in a wide arc. Each creature within 15 feet that can see the Styracosaurus must make a DC 15 Dexterity saving throw, taking 22 (4d10) piercing damage on a failed save, or half as much on a successful one.
Reactions
Protective Charge.
When a creature the Styracosaurus can see attacks a creature within 5 feet of it (other than the Styracosaurus), it can move up to half its speed toward the attacker without provoking opportunity attacks and make one Goring Horn attack against the attacker.
Styracosaurus
This massive creature has a bony frill with long spikes growing from it, and a long horn growing from its beaked snout.
Originally Posted by Shade of the En World forums.
The styracosaurus is a ceratopsian whose decorative frill has become a defensive weapon.
A styracosaurus is about 20 feet long and weighs around 3 tons. Like most ceratopsians, it is very aggressive. They will charge at any unfamiliar creature in their territory and are relentless in their assaults. They live in small herds and feed on bushes and tubers.
| Dinosaur, Styracosaurus | |
| Huge animal | |
| Hit Dice | 10d8+63 (108 hp) |
| Initiative | +0 |
| Speed | 30 ft. (6 squares) |
| Armor Class | 16 (-2 size, +8 natural), touch 8, flat-footed 16 |
| Base Attack/Grapple | +7/+23 |
| Attack | Gore +14 melee (2d6+12) |
| Full Attack | Gore +14 melee (2d6+12) |
| Space/Reach | 15 ft./10 ft. |
| Special Attacks | Powerful charge, reflexive attack, trample 2d8+12 |
| Special Qualities | Low-Light Vision, Scent |
| Saves | Fort +15, Ref +7, Will +7 |
| Abilities | Strength 26, Dexterity 11, Constitution 23, Intelligence 1, Wisdom 14, Charisma 9 |
| Skills | Listen +11, Spot +10 |
| Feats | Alertness, Great Fortitude, Iron Will, Weapon Focus (gore) |
| Environment | Warm hills and plains |
| Organization | Solitary or herd (2-8) |
| Challenge Rating | 7 |
| Treasure | None |
| Alignment | Always neutral |
| Advancement | 11-20 HD (Huge), 21-30 HD (Gargantuan) |
| Level Adjustment | – |
COMBAT
A styracosaurus initiates combat by charging its opponent, and uses its spiked frill to deter opponents from fighting back.
Powerful Charge (Ex): On a charge attack, a styracosaur’s gore attack deals 4d6+16 points of damage.
Reflexive Attack (Ex): Once per round, a styracosaurus may make an immediate melee attack with its frill against any creature that strikes it in melee. Attack bonus +8, 1d8+8 damage.
Trample (Ex): A styracosaurus can literally run over any creatures in its way that are of Large or smaller size. Creatures trampled must make a Reflex save (DC 23 half) or take 2d8+12 damage. The save DC is Strength-based.
Originally appeared in Monster Manual (1977).