Hyaenodon

Large beast, unaligned

Armor Class 14 (natural armor)
Hit Points 85 (10d10 + 30)
Speed 50 ft.

STR	DEX	CON	INT	WIS	CHA
18 (+4)	15 (+2)	16 (+3)	3 (−4)	14 (+2)	7 (−2)

Saving Throws Dex +4, Wis +4
Skills Perception +6, Stealth +4, Survival +4
Senses darkvision 60 ft., passive Perception 16
Languages —
Challenge 5 (1,800 XP) • Proficiency Bonus +3

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Traits

• Keen Smell. The hyaenodon has advantage on Wisdom (Perception) checks that rely on smell.
• Pack Opportunist. Once per turn, the hyaenodon deals an extra 7 (2d6) damage to a creature it hits with an attack if at least one of the hyaenodon’s allies is within 5 feet of the target.
• Relentless Pursuit (Recharge 5–6). When the hyaenodon hits a creature with its bite, it can immediately move up to half its speed without provoking opportunity attacks.

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Actions

• Multiattack. The hyaenodon makes two attacks: one with its bite and one with its claws.
• Bite. Melee Weapon Attack: +7 to hit, reach 5 ft., one target. Hit: 15 (2d10 + 4) piercing damage, and the target must succeed on a DC 14 Strength saving throw or be knocked prone.
• Claws. Melee Weapon Attack: +7 to hit, reach 5 ft., one target. Hit: 11 (2d6 + 4) slashing damage.

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Bonus Actions

• Savage Lunge (Recharge 4–6). The hyaenodon dashes up to its speed toward a creature it can see and makes a bite attack.

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Reactions

• Snapping Counter. When a creature within 5 feet misses the hyaenodon with a melee attack, the hyaenodon can make a bite attack against that creature.

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Tactics

A hyaenodon prefers to hunt from cover or downwind, exploding from concealment to drag prey to the ground. It uses Savage Lunge to close distance and Relentless Pursuit to keep targets from escaping. Against heavily armed foes it harasses from range, darting in for crippling bites before slipping away to wait for weakness.

Hyaenodon

Slightly larger than a normal hyena, this spotted canine has the same shorter forelimbs of that breed but with a blunt face and larger teeth.

Hyaenodon CR 4

XP 1,200
N Large animal
Init +2; Senses low-light vision, scent; Perception +10

DEFENSE

AC 17, touch 11, flat-footed 15 (+2 Dex, +6 natural, –1 size)
hp 47 (5d8+20 plus 5)
Fort +8; Ref +6; Will +2 Spd 50 ft.

OFFENSE

Melee bite +11 (1d8+12 plus trip)
Space 10 ft.; Reach 5 ft.

STATISTICS

Str 26, Dex 15, Con 19, Int 2, Wis 13, Cha 6
Base Atk +3; CMB +12; CMD 24 (28 vs. trip)
Feats Skill Focus (Perception), Toughness, Weapon Focus (bite)
Skills Perception +10, Stealth +3 (+7 in tall grass or undergrowth), Survival +5 (+9 tracking by scent); Racial Modifiers +4 Stealth in tall grass or undergrowth, +4 Survival (+8 when tracking by scent)

ECOLOGY

Environment warm deserts
Organization solitary, pair, or pack (7–16)
Treasure none

The hyaenodon, sometimes called the short-faced hyena is a slightly larger relative of the common hyena. Hyaenodons (and hyenas) are generally thought of as scavengers but, in fact, most are skilled hunters quite capable of taking down large prey. When food is scarce, hyaenodons cover large areas individually in search of food, relying primarily on their sense of smell to locate potential prey.

They are very dangerous predators. Covering wide ranges of territory when hunting and prefer to disembowel their kills. These creatures either hunt alone or in large packs led by a single leader. Though they sometimes scavenge animals, the hyaenodon’s sheer strength and size allows it to kill animals with ease (often animals larger than itself). Favored meals include lions, deer, elk, moose, zebras, and bison. The largest (those of Huge size) do not generally hunt in packs. They are solitary creatures by nature and hunt alone.

Hyaenodons have large, upward pointing ears and dark spots along their bodies. As they age, these spots grow darker. They range in size from 5 to 8 feet long and weigh anywhere from 300 to 330 pounds. The largest reach lengths of 14 feet and weigh up to 600 pounds. Having massive jaws and large bone crushing teeth. They walk on their toes, and their claws are blunt and non-retractile. A distinguishing feature of the hyaenodon is the difference in length between the front and rear limbs, which gives it the appearance of always running uphill.

Hyaenodons generally circle their opponents, sending a few of their number against their prey from all sides. The larger hyaenodons simply charge and bite their prey, crushing bone and tearing flesh with their teeth.

Section 15: Copyright Notice

Hyaenodon from the Tome of Horrors Complete, Copyright 2011, Necromancer Games, Inc., published and distributed by Frog God Games; Author Scott Greene.

Alpha Hyaenodon

Large beast, unaligned

Armor Class 15 (scarred hide)
Hit Points 135 (13d10 + 65)
Speed 55 ft.

STR	DEX	CON	INT	WIS	CHA
20 (+5)	16 (+3)	20 (+5)	4 (−3)	15 (+2)	8 (−1)

Saving Throws Dex +6, Con +8, Wis +5
Skills Perception +7, Stealth +6, Survival +5
Damage Resistances bludgeoning, piercing, and slashing from nonmagical attacks while bloodied (HP ≤ half)
Senses darkvision 60 ft., passive Perception 17
Languages —
Challenge 7 (2,900 XP) • Proficiency Bonus +3

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Traits

• Keen Smell. The alpha has advantage on Wisdom (Perception) checks that rely on smell.
• Alpha Predator Aura. Beasts and monstrosities of CR 2 or lower within 30 ft. that can see the alpha must succeed on a DC 13 Wisdom saving throw or be frightened until the end of their next turn.
• Blood-Fueled Stamina. When the alpha starts its turn with fewer than 40 hit points, it regains 10 hit points. It can’t regain hit points if it took fire damage since the end of its last turn.
• Relentless Pursuit (Recharge 5–6). When the alpha hits a creature with its bite, it can immediately move up to half its speed without provoking opportunity attacks.

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Actions

• Multiattack. The alpha makes three attacks: one with its bite and two with its claws.
• Bite. Melee Weapon Attack: +8 to hit, reach 5 ft., one target. Hit: 19 (3d10 + 5) piercing damage, and the target must succeed on a DC 15 Strength saving throw or be knocked prone.
• Claws. Melee Weapon Attack: +8 to hit, reach 5 ft., one target. Hit: 12 (2d6 + 5) slashing damage.

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Bonus Actions

• Savage Lunge (Recharge 4–6). The alpha rushes up to its speed toward a creature it can see and makes a bite attack. On a hit, the target is grappled (escape DC 15).

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Reactions

• Snapping Counter. When a creature within 5 ft. misses the alpha with a melee attack, it can make a bite attack against that creature.

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Legendary Actions

The alpha can take 2 legendary actions, regaining spent actions at the start of its turn. Only one option can be used at a time and only at the end of another creature’s turn.

• Detect. The alpha makes a Wisdom (Perception) check.
• Move. The alpha moves up to half its speed without provoking opportunity attacks.
• Crushing Bite (Costs 2 Actions). The alpha makes one bite attack.

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Tactics

The Alpha Hyaenodon begins combat with its roar, activating its Alpha Predator Aura to scatter lesser creatures. It focuses on isolated targets, using Savage Lunge to drag them prone, then maintains pressure with Relentless Pursuit. Legendary actions let it reposition or strike between turns, keeping enemies off balance. When bloodied, Blood-Fueled Stamina allows it to remain a persistent threat, forcing adventurers to act decisively.