This site is games | books | films

Peccary, “the Desert Forager”

Peccary
Create

The peccary is a stout, pig-like mammal characterized by its tough, bristly fur and short, stocky body. It typically weighs between 30 to 50 pounds and has a thick, dark coat, often with distinctive markings like a white band around the neck for the collared peccary, resembling a “collar.” Their faces are short with sharp, pointed snouts, and they have small, tusk-like canine teeth that they use for defense.

In terms of behavior, peccaries are social creatures that live in groups called “herds,” often numbering between 2 to 15 individuals. They are active primarily at dawn and dusk, foraging together and making high-pitched grunts or squeals to communicate. Peccaries are known for their strong sense of smell and use it to locate food such as roots, fruits, and small animals. While they are generally peaceful, they can be aggressive if threatened, especially when protecting their young.

Peccaries are found in diverse habitats across the Americas, from deserts and grasslands to dense rainforests, depending on the species. The collared peccary, for instance, prefers arid regions like the southwestern U.S. and Mexico, while the white-lipped peccary thrives in humid tropical forests of Central and South America.

Their modus operandi revolves around foraging in groups, where they often root around the soil for food. They can also be opportunistic feeders, raiding crops and fields if necessary. They tend to be wary of larger predators and may seek shelter in dense brush or caves.

Peccaries are motivated by survival needs—finding food, securing territory, and ensuring the safety of their group. Their strong social bonds help them protect one another from predators like jaguars, coyotes, and large birds of prey.


  • Peccary 5e
  • Peccary 3.5 (Homebrew)
Peccary
Create

Though not carnivores, these wild swine are bad-tempered and usually charge at anyone who disturbs them. A Peccary is covered in coarse, grayish-black fur. Adult males are about4 feet long and 3 feet high at the shoulder.


Peccary
Medium animal
Hit Dice3d8+12 (25 hp)
Initiative+0
Speed40 ft. (8 squares)
Armor Class16 (+6 natural), touch 10, flat-footed 16
Base Attack/Grapple+2/+4
AttackGore +4 melee (1d8+3)
Full AttackGore +4 melee (1d8+3)
Space/Reach5 ft./5 ft.
Special AttacksFerocity
Special QualitiesLow-Light Vision, Scent
SavesFort +6, Ref +3, Will +2
AbilitiesStrength15, Dexterity 10, Constitution 17, Intelligence 2, Wisdom 13, Charisma 4
SkillsListen +7, Spot +5
FeatsAlertness, Toughness
EnvironmentTemperate forests
OrganizationSolitary or herd (5-8)
Challenge Rating2
Advancement4-5 HD (Medium)
Level Adjustment

Combat

Ferocity (Ex) A Peccary is such a tenacious combatant that it continues to fight without penalty even while disabled or dying.

Peccary
Create

Small beast, neutral


Armor Class 12 (Natural Armor)
Hit Points 27 (6d6 + 6)
Speed 40 ft.


STRDEXCONINTWISCHA
14 (+2)14 (+2)14 (+2)2 (-4)12 (+1)6 (-2)

Skills Stealth +4
Senses Passive Perception 11
Languages
Challenge 1/2 (100 XP)


Traits

  • Keen Smell. It has advantage on Wisdom (Perception) checks that rely on smell.
  • Pack Tactics. The peccary has advantage on an attack roll against a creature if at least one of the peccary’s allies is within 5 feet of the creature and the ally isn’t incapacitated.
  • Defensive Charge. If a peccary is hit by a melee attack while it is moving, it can use its reaction to attempt to charge at its attacker. The attacker must make a DC 12 Dexterity saving throw or take 3 (1d6) bludgeoning damage and be knocked prone.

Actions

  • Tusks. Melee Weapon Attack: +4 to hit, reach 5 ft., one target. Hit: 6 (1d6 + 2) piercing damage.
  • Snout Bash (Recharge 5–6). The peccary charges at an enemy, using its snout to strike forcefully. Melee Weapon Attack: +4 to hit, reach 5 ft., one target. Hit: 10 (2d6 + 2) bludgeoning damage, and the target must succeed on a DC 12 Strength saving throw or be knocked prone.
  • Ferocious Grunt (Recharge 6). The peccary lets out a loud, gruff grunt that echoes through the area, inspiring its allies. All allies within 30 feet of the peccary who can hear it gain advantage on their next attack roll or saving throw before the start of the peccary’s next turn.

Tactics

The peccary is a territorial and cautious animal, preferring to strike first with a hit-and-run approach. In combat, it favors the use of Pack Tactics to gain an advantage over its foes, attacking from the side or rear whenever possible. It will charge toward any opponent who gets too close, using its Snout Bash to knock them off balance, making it easier for its allies to follow up with attacks.

When fighting alone, the peccary will focus on using its Tusks and retreating quickly to maintain distance, relying on its speed to avoid being surrounded. If the peccary is in a group, it will often take advantage of Ferocious Grunt, rallying its packmates to ensure they strike harder and more efficiently.

The peccary is intelligent enough to understand the concept of defense, so if its enemies are heavily armored or well-armed, it will attempt to use its Defensive Charge to create chaos, knocking the attacker off balance and buying itself time to escape or regroup.


Environment & Motivation

The peccary is often found in arid environments such as deserts, savannahs, or dry woodlands, where it uses its speed and agility to forage for roots, fruits, and small animals. Though typically peaceful and non-aggressive, the peccary will fiercely defend its territory or young, often fighting in groups if provoked.

In combat, its primary motivation is survival, and it will fight for its life or the life of its pack. If it senses danger or is outmatched, it will retreat to the safety of the brush or nearby rocks, relying on its speed and knowledge of the terrain to evade capture. However, if cornered, it will fight to the death with ferocity, utilizing its Tusks and Snout Bash to break free from its attackers.


Peccary’s Lair

The peccary does not build permanent lairs, but it will often seek shelter in dense brush or under low-hanging rock formations during the day to avoid predators. Its lair is usually surrounded by evidence of its foraging habits: small patches of disturbed earth, scattered leaves, and sometimes the remains of prey or fruit. In group settings, peccaries often nest together, forming tight-knit clusters for warmth and security.

Scroll to Top