Buy me a coffee“Metridiochoerus: The Dire Warthog of the Ancient Savanna”
A massive, prehistoric warthog with scimitar-like tusks and colossal grinding teeth, Metridiochoerus stormed the Pleistocene savannas as a fearsome, battering ram of flesh and bone.
Metridiochoerus is a massive, prehistoric warthog with scimitar-curved tusks and crushing molars, roaming sun-baked savannas and scrublands, where it thunders at intruders and defends its wallows and young with unyielding ferocity.
Appearance
A towering, warthog-like titan, Metridiochoerus rises nearly to a horse’s height at the shoulder, its coarse hide dappled in dusty grays and sun-baked browns. Enormous, scimitar-curved tusks jut from a blocky skull, framing a ridged snout built for rooting through hard soil. A bristling mane traces the length of its muscular neck, tapering to a powerful, sloped back, while its amber eyes glint with a wary intelligence above hooves hardened like hammered iron.
Behaviour
Irascible and bold, this giant suid prefers intimidation over retreat, stamping and grunting before charging with startling speed. It spends long hours uprooting tubers, grinding tough shoots with its oversized molars, or wallowing in mud to cool its armored hide. Solitary by nature, it tolerates no rivals save during the brief mating season, when boars clash in thunderous charges that leave scars on hide and tusk alike.
Habitat
Metridiochoerus ranges across open savannas, scrublands, and dry forest edges, favoring the vicinity of watering holes and mud wallows. It carves broad trails through grass and thorn, patrolling a territory that may span several miles, and shifts its range only when drought or fire scours the land.
Modus Operandi
When roused to violence, Metridiochoerus lowers its massive head and barrels forward with crushing momentum, skewering foes on its tusks or battering them aside with bone-rattling force. If cornered, it slashes in wide, savage arcs or tramples fallen enemies beneath its iron-shod hooves, relying on brute strength and unyielding endurance rather than guile.
Motivation
Fueled by hunger, dominance, and the instinct to guard its domain, Metridiochoerus rarely seeks conflict but meets provocation with unrelenting fury. Sows defend their litters with suicidal resolve, while aging boars, scarred and short-tempered, may lash out at any creature bold—or foolish—enough to stand in their path.
Metridiochoerus 5e 2024
Metridiochoerus, Pathfinder
Metridiochoerus 3.5
Metridiochoerus
Large Beast, Unaligned
Flavor Description:
Metridiochoerus, often called the “dire warthog,” roams ancient savannas and scrublands in solitary dominance. Towering like a small horse, its scimitar-shaped tusks and thick, bristled hide make it a living battering ram. Fiercely territorial and surprisingly fast, it charges intruders with bone-shattering momentum, knocking down smaller creatures and defending its young with relentless ferocity. Though not intelligent, its instincts make it a cunning and dangerous predator when provoked.
Armor Class 14 (natural armor)
Hit Points 84 (8d10 + 40)
Speed 40 ft.
| STR | DEX | CON | INT | WIS | CHA |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 20 (+5) | 12 (+1) | 20 (+5) | 2 (–4) | 13 (+1) | 6 (–2) |
Saving Throws Str +7, Con +7
Skills Perception +3, Survival +3
Damage Resistances Bludgeoning from nonmagical attacks while charging
Senses darkvision 30 ft., passive Perception 13
Languages —
Challenge 4 (1,100 XP) • Proficiency Bonus +2
Traits
- Keen Smell. The Metridiochoerus has advantage on Wisdom (Perception) checks that rely on smell.
- Relentless Charge. If it moves at least 20 ft. straight toward a target and hits with a tusk attack on the same turn, the target takes an extra 9 (2d8) slashing damage and must succeed on a DC 15 Strength saving throw or be knocked prone.
- Stubborn Endurance. Once per long rest, when reduced to 0 hit points, the Metridiochoerus can make a DC 10 Constitution saving throw. On a success, it drops to 1 hit point instead.
Actions
Tusk. Melee Weapon Attack: +7 to hit, reach 5 ft., one target.
Hit: 15 (2d10 + 4) slashing damage.
Goring Rush (Recharge 5–6). The Metridiochoerus dashes up to 30 ft. in a straight line and makes a tusk attack at the end of its movement. On a hit, the target takes an extra 9 (2d8) slashing damage and must succeed on a DC 15 Strength saving throw or be knocked prone. Small or Medium creatures that fail are also pushed 10 ft. in the direction of the charge.
Reactions
Savage Counter. When a creature within 5 ft. misses a melee attack, the Metridiochoerus can make one tusk attack against that creature.
Tactics
Metridiochoerus relies on brute force and momentum. It begins combat with Relentless Charge, targeting the closest enemy in open terrain. It uses Goring Rush to scatter foes and knock down smaller opponents, then continues attacking with tusks. When wounded or cornered, it fights ferociously, exploiting its size and speed to defend territory or offspring.
Metridiochoerus
Large Animal
CR 4
XP 1,200
Init +1
Senses low-light vision, scent; Perception +6
Defense
AC 16, touch 11, flat-footed 15 (+1 Dex, +5 natural)
HP 52 (5d8+30)
Fort +10, Ref +3, Will +2
Defensive Abilities Stubborn Endurance
Offense
Speed 40 ft.
Melee tusks +10 (2d8+5)
Special Attacks Relentless Charge, Goring Rush
Statistics
Str 20, Dex 12, Con 22, Int 2, Wis 13, Cha 6
Base Atk +3; CMB +10; CMD 22
Feats Power Attack, Improved Bull Rush, Skill Focus (Perception)
Skills Perception +6, Survival +6
Languages —
SQ Keen Smell, Stubborn Endurance
Special Abilities
- Keen Smell (Ex): The Metridiochoerus has advantage on Perception checks based on scent.
- Relentless Charge (Ex): If the Metridiochoerus moves at least 20 ft. in a straight line and hits with a tusk attack, it deals an extra 2d8 damage and can knock the target prone (Fort DC 15 negates).
- Goring Rush (Ex, Recharge 5–6): The Metridiochoerus may dash up to 30 ft. and make a tusk attack at the end of its movement. On a hit, the target takes an extra 2d8 damage and must succeed on a DC 15 Strength check or be knocked prone and pushed 10 ft. if Small or Medium.
- Stubborn Endurance (Ex): Once per day, when reduced to 0 HP, the Metridiochoerus can make a DC 10 Fortitude save to drop to 1 HP instead.
Combat
Metridiochoerus relies on raw strength and relentless momentum. It begins combat with Relentless Charge, targeting the nearest enemy in open terrain. Smaller opponents are knocked prone or pushed aside by Goring Rush, allowing it to batter through foes with tusks. While it prefers to fight one-on-one, it fiercely defends its territory and young, using its durable hide and powerful charges to wear down adversaries.
Ecology
Environment: Savannas and scrublands
Organization: Solitary or mother with young
Treasure: None
Description:
A prehistoric “dire warthog,” Metridiochoerus stands the size of a horse, with massive, scimitar-shaped tusks and a bristled, armored hide. It roams ancient plains with unstoppable force, charging intruders and trampling smaller creatures. Though unintelligent, it fights with cunning instinct, exploiting its speed, power, and natural armor to dominate any threat to its domain.
Metridiochoerus
This large boar has knob-like protrusions on its face and very long, curved tusks.
Originally Posted by Shade of the En World forums.
Though not carnivores, these wild swine are bad-tempered and usually charge anyone who disturbs them.
A giant warthog is about 5 feet long and weighs 300 pounds.
| Boar, Giant Warthog (Metridiochoerus) | |
| Medium animal | |
| Hit Dice | 5d8+18 (40 hp) |
| Initiative | +0 |
| Speed | 40 ft. (8 squares) |
| Armor Class | 16 (+6 natural), touch 10, flat-footed 16 |
| Base Attack/Grapple | +3/+7 |
| Attack | Gore +7 melee (2d6+6/x3) |
| Full Attack | Gore +7 melee (2d6+6/x3) |
| Space/Reach | 5 ft./5 ft. |
| Special Attacks | Augmented critical, ferocity |
| Special Qualities | Dire, Low-Light Vision, Scent |
| Saves | Fort +7, Ref +4, Will +5 |
| Abilities | Strength 18, Dexterity 10, Constitution 17, Intelligence 2, Wisdom 13, Charisma 4 |
| Skills | Jump +8, Listen +8, Spot +6 |
| Feats | Alertness, Toughness |
| Environment | Warm forests |
| Organization | Solitary or herd (5-8) |
| Challenge Rating | 3 |
| Treasure | None |
| Alignment | Always neutral |
| Advancement | 6-8 HD (Medium), 8-12 HD (Large) |
| Level Adjustment | — |
COMBAT
Giant warthogs charge at opponents and stab them with their long tusks.
Augmented Critical (Ex): A giant warthog deals triple damage if it scores a critical hit with its gore attack.
Dire (Ex): A giant warthog is considered to be a dire animal for the purposes of saving throws.
Ferocity (Ex): A giant warthog is such a tenacious combatant that it continues to fight without penalty even while disabled or dying.
Originally appeared in Dragon Magazine #167 (1991).