Buy me a coffeeHerd Animal, Bison/Buffalo
“The fierce buffalo charges across the untamed plains, a true Wild West legend of power and survival!”
The buffalo, a powerful and iconic herbivore, commands the wild landscapes with its imposing presence. Physically, buffalo are robust animals with muscular builds, broad, thick horns that curve outward and sweep back, and dense coats—especially noticeable in the winter months when their fur is shaggy and thick. Their dark brown to black hide is tough and rugged, designed to withstand the harsh environments they inhabit. Adult buffalo can weigh up to 2,000 pounds, standing 5 to 6 feet tall at the shoulder, and their powerful frames are built for endurance.
In terms of behavior, buffalo are herd animals, often seen moving in large, tightly-knit groups for protection. They are generally calm but can become fiercely defensive if threatened, using their horns and brute strength to defend the herd from predators or intruders. During mating season, bulls will engage in dramatic displays of dominance, charging at each other in territorial contests to establish breeding rights. Despite their size and strength, buffalo can run at impressive speeds of up to 35 miles per hour and are capable of making sharp turns and jumps when necessary.
Buffalo are typically found in grasslands, savannas, and open woodlands, where they graze on grasses, sedges, and shrubs. Historically, they roamed the Great Plains of North America, but today, they are found in protected reserves and parks across the continent. They prefer open terrain that allows them to keep a vigilant eye out for predators, such as wolves or lions, depending on the region.
Their modus operandi centers around grazing and migrating across vast distances in search of fresh pasture. Buffalo play a crucial role in shaping their environment by grazing heavily on certain grasses, which helps maintain the health of the ecosystem and encourages plant diversity. In the wild, their movements are often dictated by the availability of food and the seasonal changes that affect their habitat.
The buffalo’s motivation lies in survival—both for itself and its herd. Its instincts drive it to protect the group, with the young and the old being prioritized in the event of a predator attack. For males, the motivation shifts during the mating season, where securing a mate becomes the focus. However, at its core, the buffalo is driven by the need to stay ahead of threats, find sustenance, and ensure the continuity of its species in a constantly changing and challenging environment.
Bison/Buffalo 5e
Bison/Buffalo Pathfinder
Buffalo
Large Beast, Unaligned
Armor Class: 15 (natural armor)
Hit Points: 95 (10d10 + 40)
Speed: 40 ft.
| STR | DEX | CON | INT | WIS | CHA |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 21 (+5) | 10 (+0) | 19 (+4) | 2 (-4) | 12 (+1) | 7 (-2) |
Saving Throws: Strength +8, Constitution +7
Skills: Perception +4
Damage Immunities: Psychic
Senses: Darkvision 60 ft., passive Perception 14
Languages: None (understands basic commands)
Challenge: 5 (1,800 XP)
TRAITS
Keen Smell:
The buffalo has advantage on Wisdom (Perception) checks that rely on smell.
Trample:
If the buffalo moves at least 20 feet straight toward a creature and then hits it with a Gore Attack, the target must succeed on a DC 15 Strength saving throw or be knocked prone and pushed 10 feet away from the buffalo. A creature that is prone has disadvantage on attack rolls against the buffalo.
Innate Endurance:
The buffalo has resistance to bludgeoning damage from non-magical attacks due to its thick hide and immense stamina.
ACTIONS
Multiattack:
The buffalo makes two attacks: one with its Gore and one with its Hoof.
Gore:
Melee Weapon Attack: +8 to hit, reach 5 ft., one target.
Hit: 19 (2d10 + 5) piercing damage.
Hoof:
Melee Weapon Attack: +8 to hit, reach 5 ft., one target.
Hit: 17 (2d8 + 5) bludgeoning damage.
Stampede (Recharge 5–6):
The buffalo charges forward in a 30-foot line, trampling all creatures in its path. Each creature in that line must make a DC 15 Strength saving throw or take 22 (4d10) bludgeoning damage and be knocked prone. On a successful save, the creature takes half damage and is not knocked prone. The buffalo can move up to its full movement speed during this action.
REACTIONS
Retaliatory Strike:
When a creature hits the buffalo with a melee attack, the buffalo can use its Hoof attack as a reaction against the attacker. The attack deals 17 (2d8 + 5) bludgeoning damage. If the buffalo is prone, it can still use this reaction.
TACTICS
Buffaloes, despite their low intelligence, are tactical beasts in their own right. In battle, they use their sheer size and strength to their advantage, attempting to trample and knock enemies prone to reduce the threat to their herd. The buffalo will first attempt to charge at the enemy with its Stampede, mowing down anyone in its path. If a particularly dangerous foe remains standing, the buffalo will use its Gore attack to finish them off.
- Initial Strategy: The buffalo will start with a Stampede if possible, attempting to trample as many foes as possible and create chaos in the battlefield.
- Focus on Isolation: Once enemies are scattered, it will single out smaller or weaker foes, using its Gore and Hoof to target them individually. The buffalo relies on its Hoof for quick retaliation if it is hit.
- Terrain Usage: In tight spaces, the buffalo will make use of its Trample ability to push enemies back, forcing them into corners or out of advantageous positions.
Buffaloes are natural survivors, often attempting to break through enemy lines and create openings for allies to exploit. They may retreat into natural cover, such as tall grass or dense forests, if the battle turns against them.
LEGENDARY ACTIONS
The buffalo can take 1 legendary action, 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 buffalo regains spent legendary actions at the start of its turn.
- Gore (Costs 1 Action): The buffalo makes a Gore attack.
- Trample (Costs 1 Action): The buffalo moves up to 20 feet and uses its Trample attack.
- Tough Stance (Costs 1 Action): The buffalo braces itself, gaining advantage on all saving throws until the start of its next turn.
DESCRIPTION
Buffaloes are towering creatures with thick, muscular bodies and a wild, untamed presence. Their shaggy fur provides insulation against the harsh elements of the wilderness, and their horns are not only a defense mechanism but a symbol of their ancient strength. In battle, they use brute force and tactical movement to overwhelm opponents, using their physical prowess and the natural terrain to turn the tide of combat. With a natural instinct to charge, trample, and charge again, the buffalo is a force to be reckoned with, able to dominate and defend its land with unparalleled ferocity.
This creature has small, upward-pointing horns, a shaggy coat of fur, and a large hump on its shoulders.
Bison are large herd animals. They can grow as long as 12 feet and as tall as 7 feet at the shoulder. Average bison weigh 2,200 pounds. The bison’s statistics can be used for almost any larger herd animal, such as the buffalo.
Bison frighten far less easily than their domesticated cousins and are much more aggressive when protecting the herd or their young. Adult bulls are extremely confontational in mating season, and even kill one another in pursuit of particular females. After mating season, herds of bison tend to separate into smaller herds in preparation for the arrival of new calves.
Bison CR 4
XP 1,200
N Large animal
Init +0; Senses low-light vision, scent; Perception +8
DEFENSE
AC 17, touch 9, flat-footed 17 (+8 natural, –1 size)
hp 42 (5d8+20)
Fort +8, Ref +4, Will +1
OFFENSE
Speed 40 ft.
Melee gore +10 (2d6+12)
Space 10 ft.; Reach 5 ft.
Special Attacks stampede, trample (2d6+12, DC 20)
STATISTICS
Str 27, Dex 10, Con 19, Int 2, Wis 11, Cha 4
Base Atk +3; CMB +12; CMD 22 (26 vs. trip)
Feats Endurance, Improved Bull Rush, Power Attack
Skills Perception +8
SPECIAL ABILITIES
Stampede (Ex)
A stampede occurs if three or more creatures with stampede make a trample attack while remaining adjacent to each other. While stampeding, the creatures can trample foes of their size or smaller, and the trample’s save DC increases by +2.
ECOLOGY
Environment cold or temperate plains
Organization solitary, pair, or herd (3–30)
Treasure none
Bison Companions
Bison companions are identical to aurochs animal companions.
- Starting Statistics: Size Medium; Speed 40 ft.; AC +1 natural armor, Attack gore (1d6); Ability Scores Str 14, Dex 12, Con 12, Int 2, Wis 11, Cha 4; Special Qualities low-light vision, scent.
- 7th-Level Advancement: Size Large; AC +3 natural armor; Attack gore (1d8); Ability Scores Str +8, Dex –2, Con +4; Special Qualities stampede, trample.