Buy me a coffeeHaast’s Eagle, the Sky Reaper
“Haast’s Eagle rules the skies, striking with deadly force to bring down prey far larger than itself.”
Haast’s Eagle is a massive raptor with dark, mottled plumage blending earthy browns, greys, and deep blacks—perfect camouflage among forest canopies and mountainous terrain. Its wings are broad but compact, adapted for agile flight through dense forests rather than soaring in open skies. The bird’s piercing yellow eyes reflect a predatory intelligence, and its hooked beak is thick and brutal, designed to rip through hide and sinew. Its talons are enormous, curved like scimitars, capable of puncturing armor or crushing bone with a single grip.
Behaviour
Solitary and territorial, Haast’s Eagle is a calculated hunter that patrols its vast domain with silent vigilance. It prefers ambush tactics over drawn-out pursuit. The eagle is methodical, often watching prey from the treetops or circling high above before committing to a kill. It is fiercely protective of its nesting grounds and will attack perceived threats without hesitation, including humanoids.
Habitat
Haast’s Eagle dwells in isolated highland forests and subalpine valleys, particularly regions thick with cover and roaming megafauna. It nests on high crags or cliff faces, where it can monitor vast tracts of territory. These nests are large and layered with bones, feathers, and sometimes the odd trinket or relic left behind by unlucky travelers.
Modus Operandi
The eagle prefers to strike from above, diving at terrifying speed in near-total silence. It targets the spine or skull with its talons, delivering a fatal blow before the prey can react. It may then drag or dismember the corpse, feeding in seclusion. In combat, Haast’s Eagle uses hit-and-run tactics, relying on flight, momentum, and raw strength to disorient and overwhelm.
Motivation
Haast’s Eagle hunts to survive, but also to dominate. As an apex predator, it eliminates rivals and threats preemptively. It is driven by instinct, hunger, and a primal territorial fury. Some say ancient spirits whisper through its feathers—remnants of a time when the sky ruled the land.
Haast’s Eagle 5e
Haast’s Eagle, Pathfinder
Haast’s Eagle 3,5
Haast’s Eagle
Large Beast, Unaligned
Armor Class: 15 (natural armor)
Hit Points: 110 (13d10 + 39)
Speed: 20 ft., fly 90 ft.
| STR | DEX | CON | INT | WIS | CHA |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 20 (+5) | 16 (+3) | 17 (+3) | 2 (–4) | 14 (+2) | 7 (–2) |
Saving Throws: Dex +5, Wis +4
Skills: Perception +6, Stealth +5, Survival +4
Senses: Darkvision 60 ft., Passive Perception 16
Languages: —
Challenge: 5 (1,800 XP)
Traits
Keen Sight.
The eagle has advantage on Wisdom (Perception) checks that rely on sight.
Silent Flight.
While flying, the eagle makes no sound and has advantage on Dexterity (Stealth) checks when attacking from above.
Ambush Predator.
During the first round of combat, the eagle has advantage on attack rolls against creatures that haven’t yet acted.
Actions
Multiattack.
The eagle makes two attacks: one with its Talons and one with its Beak.
- Talons. Melee Weapon Attack: +8 to hit, reach 5 ft., one target.
Hit: 15 (2d8 + 5) slashing damage. If the target is Medium or smaller, it must succeed on a DC 15 Strength saving throw or be grappled (escape DC 15). The eagle can carry grappled creatures while flying. - Beak. Melee Weapon Attack: +8 to hit, reach 5 ft., one grappled or prone target.
Hit: 12 (2d6 + 5) piercing damage. - Dive Strike (Recharge 5–6).
If the eagle moves at least 60 feet straight toward a target and hits with its Talons attack, the target takes an extra 14 (4d6) slashing damage and must succeed on a DC 15 Strength saving throw or be knocked prone.
Tactics & Behavior
Haast’s Eagle is a stealthy ambusher, striking silently from above to catch prey unaware. It prefers to isolate vulnerable targets and will grapple smaller foes to carry them off or drop them from great heights. Near its nesting territory, it fights fiercely, gaining resolve and heightened perception. This apex predator dominates the skies, a terrifying force stalking dense forests and rugged highlands.
Haast’s Eagle
Haast’s Eagles prey on anything smaller than them and even creatures larger than them, such as giant moas and (occasionally) humans.
Originally Posted by InsanePsychoRabbit of the Wizards Community forums.
On this Thread
Haast’s Eagles can grow up to nearly five feet long and stand 3 feet tall, for a flying creature its size, a its especially agile. Their wingspan of is anywhere from 8 to 10 feet. Haast’s Eagles weigh between 20 and 33 pounds.
| Haast’s Eagle | |
| Medium animal | |
| Hit Dice | 4d8+8 (26 hp) |
| Initiative | +2 |
| Speed | 10 ft. (2 squares), Fly 80 ft. (average) |
| Armor Class | 14 (+3 Dexterity, +1 natural), touch 13, flat-footed 11 |
| Base Attack/Grapple | +3/+5 |
| Attack | Talons +6 melee (1d8+2) |
| Full Attack | 2 talons +6 melee (1d8+2) and bite +1 melee (1d6+1) |
| Space/Reach | 5 ft./5 ft. |
| Special Attacks | Pounce |
| Special Qualities | Low-Light Vision |
| Saves | Fort +6, Ref +7, Will +6 |
| Abilities | Strength 14, Dexterity 17, Constitution 14, Intelligence 2, Wisdom 14, Charisma 6 |
| Skills | Listen +6, Spot +17 |
| Feats | Alertness, Flyby Attack, Improved Natural Attack (talons) (B), Weapon Finesse (B) |
| Environment | Temperate mountains |
| Organization | Solitary or pair |
| Challenge Rating | 3 |
| Treasure | None |
| Alignment | Always neutral |
| Advancement | 5 HD (Medium), 6-8 HD (Large) |
Combat
Haast’s Eagles attack by diving at speeds of up to 50 miles per hour. When hunting moa birds, their favorite prey, a Haast’s Eagle often seizes its prey’s pelvis with the talons of one foot and kills it with a blow to the head or neck from the other foot’s talons. The striking force of a Haast’s Eagle’s attack is approximately equivalent to a cinder block landing on the target from a height of about 80 feet.
Pounce (Ex): If a flying Haast’s Eagle charges (dives) at its foe during the first round of combat, it can follow up with a full attack.
Saves: Like a dire animal, a Haast’s Eagle has all good saves.
Skills: Haast’s Eagles have a +8 racial bonus on Spot checks.
Haast’s Eagle
Large Animal
CR 7
XP 3,200
NE Large animal
Init +6; Senses darkvision 60 ft., low-light vision; Perception +17 (spot +17, listen +15)
DEFENSE
AC 20, touch 12, flat-footed 18 (+2 Dex, +8 natural)
HP 95 (10d8 + 50)
Fort +10, Ref +8, Will +5
Defensive Abilities evasion
OFFENSE
Speed 20 ft., fly 90 ft. (good)
Melee
- Talons +13 (2d6 + 8 plus grab)
- Beak +11 (2d6 + 5)
Special Attacks Dive Strike, Rake (2 claws) +11 melee (1d6 + 5)
Space/Reach 10 ft./5 ft.
STATISTICS
Str 26, Dex 14, Con 20, Int 2, Wis 16, Cha 6
Base Attack Bonus +7; CMB +14 (+18 grapple); CMD 26 (30 vs. grapple)
Feats Improved Initiative, Power Attack, Weapon Focus (Talons), Flyby Attack, Weapon Finesse
Skills Perception +17, Stealth +12, Fly +16, Survival +10
Languages —
SPECIAL ABILITIES
- Dive Strike (Ex). When the Haast’s Eagle moves at least 60 feet straight toward a target and hits with a talons attack, it deals an extra 4d6 damage and the target must succeed on a DC 18 Strength save or be knocked prone.
- Grab (Ex). The eagle can start a grapple as a free action when it hits with its talons attack, without provoking attacks of opportunity.
- Silent Flight (Ex). Its flight produces no noise, granting a +4 bonus on Stealth checks when flying and attacking from above.
- Keen Sight (Ex). The eagle gains a +4 racial bonus on Perception checks relying on sight.
- Evasion (Ex). The eagle takes no damage on a successful Reflex save against attacks that normally deal half damage on a success.
TACTICS
- Before Combat: The Haast’s Eagle uses stealth and silent flight to approach prey undetected, circling silently in treetops or cliffs before striking.
- During Combat: It opens with a devastating Dive Strike from above to knock foes prone. It then follows up with talons attacks aiming to grapple Medium or smaller creatures, and tears them apart with its beak and claws. It uses Flyby Attack to strike and reposition quickly, avoiding drawn-out fights.
- Morale: If seriously wounded, it disengages and retreats to its nest or higher ground. When defending its nest, it fights fiercely and may call mates to assist (GM discretion).
DESCRIPTION
The Haast’s Eagle is a colossal raptor native to mist-shrouded forests and rugged highlands. With immense, razor-sharp talons and a powerful beak, it preys on creatures larger than itself, striking from silent, deadly ambushes above. Its piercing yellow eyes gleam with predatory intelligence, and its mastery of flight makes it a terrifying force dominating the skies. Legends speak of its reign over ancient wilderness, where few survive its lethal strikes.