Buy me a coffeeSmilodon, (Saber-Toothed Tiger)
“The Smilodon stalks its prey with saber-teeth longer than your forearm—one ambush, and it’s over.”
“A flash of tawny muscle and bone-white sabers—then silence.”
Appearance
The Smilodon is a powerful, prehistoric feline with a compact but muscular frame, standing nearly 4 feet at the shoulder and stretching over 10 feet long including its tail. Its most fearsome feature is a pair of elongated upper canines—up to 11 inches—curving downward like ivory scimitars. Its body is barrel-chested and thick with muscle, built for strength, not speed, and covered in short, coarse fur in shades of tawny brown, gray, or mottled black to blend into scrublands and woodlands.
Behaviour
Solitary and highly territorial, Smilodons are apex ambush predators. Unlike modern big cats, they rely less on speed and more on stealth, patience, and brute force. They are surprisingly cautious hunters, avoiding unnecessary risks. A wounded Smilodon may become unusually aggressive, lashing out unpredictably. While usually solitary, some speculate that rare mated pairs may hunt in tandem during seasonal migrations.
Habitat
Smilodons roam cold steppe tundras, temperate grasslands, and ancient pine forests. Their lairs are usually nestled in natural caves, overhangs, or within dense brush, littered with old bones and claw-marked stones. They require a large hunting range and prefer environments where they can stalk without being seen—rocky hills, snowy ridges, and overgrown ruins are ideal.
Modus Operandi
The Smilodon is a master of ambush tactics. It stalks prey quietly, using terrain for cover before lunging in a burst of explosive power. With powerful forelimbs and a crushing pounce, it tackles prey to the ground, holding them down long enough to deliver a precise, fatal stab with its saber teeth to the throat or belly. Against larger prey or humanoids, it targets stragglers or lone wanderers, dragging victims away to devour in private.
Motivation
Smilodons are driven by hunger and survival. They are not mindless killers—they hunt only to eat or defend territory. However, a Smilodon that has tasted humanoid flesh may become a manhunter, stalking villages or patrol routes with unsettling cunning. If its territory is threatened or food grows scarce, it may begin preying on livestock, travelers, or even adventuring parties. Some druids speak of ancient Smilodons as nature’s executioners, punishing those who trespass too deeply into wild lands.
Smilodon 5e
Alpha Smilodon 5e
Smilodon, Pathfinder
Smilodon
Large Beast, Unaligned
Challenge: 3 (700 XP)
Proficiency Bonus: +2
Armor Class 14 (natural armor)
Hit Points 75 (10d10 + 20)
Speed 40 ft., climb 20 ft.
| STR | DEX | CON | INT | WIS | CHA |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 18 (+4) | 16 (+3) | 14 (+2) | 2 (–4) | 14 (+2) | 7 (–2) |
Saving Throws Dexterity +5, Wisdom +4
Skills Stealth +5, Perception +4, Athletics +6
Senses Darkvision 60 ft., passive Perception 14
Languages —
Traits
Keen Smell.
The Smilodon has advantage on Wisdom (Perception) checks that rely on smell.
Ambusher.
In the first round of combat, the Smilodon has advantage on attack rolls against creatures that haven’t taken a turn yet.
Pounce.
If the Smilodon moves at least 20 feet straight toward a creature and then hits it with a claw attack on the same turn, that target must succeed on a DC 14 Strength saving throw or be knocked prone. If the target is prone, the Smilodon can make one Saber Bite attack against it as a bonus action.
Crushing Grapple. (Recharge 5–6)
If the Smilodon hits a Medium or smaller creature with a claw or bite, it may attempt to grapple (Escape DC 14) as part of the same attack. While grappled, the creature is restrained, and the Smilodon may use Saber Bite with advantage.
Actions
Multiattack.
The Smilodon makes two attacks: one with its claw and one with Saber Bite or a second claw.
Claw.
Melee Weapon Attack: +6 to hit, reach 5 ft., one target.
Hit: 12 (2d6 + 4) slashing damage.
Saber Bite.
Melee Weapon Attack: +6 to hit, reach 5 ft., one target.
Hit: 15 (2d10 + 4) piercing damage.
If the target is prone, the attack deals an extra 7 (2d6) damage.
Reactions
Snap Reflex. (1/Turn)
When a creature within 5 feet misses the Smilodon with a melee attack, the Smilodon may make a Saber Bite attack against that creature.
Tactics
- Smilodon opens combat with stealth, then charges a soft or isolated target to trigger Pounce.
- Once a target is prone, it capitalizes with Saber Bite as a bonus action, dealing brutal damage early.
- It retreats to cover if outnumbered or bloodied, only returning to pick off weakened prey.
- Against intelligent foes, it uses hit-and-run tactics—ambushing from cover, retreating, then re-engaging.
- In lair or terrain-rich environments, it stalks and harasses enemies, aiming to instill fear and chaos.
Environment
Cold forests, highlands, ancient tundra, or overgrown ruins. Frequently lairs in caves, rocky outcrops, or abandoned ruins near game-rich areas.
Treasure
None. However, its saber teeth are prized—each worth 50 gp as trophies or for magical components in primal-themed spells or weapons.
Smilodon
This great cat is a terrifying apparition of power and violence, muscles rippling beneath its short fur and vicious saber-like teeth extending downward from its upper jaw.
Smilodon (Saber-Toothed Cat) CR 5
XP 1,600
N Medium animal
Init +2; Senses low-light vision; Perception +9
DEFENSE
AC 15, touch 12, flat-footed 13 (+2 Dex, +3 natural)
hp 51 (6d8+24)
Fort +9, Ref +7, Will +3
OFFENSE
Speed 40 ft.
Melee bite +10 (1d8+6 plus grab plus bleed), 2 claws +10 (1d4+6 plus grab)
Special Attacks bleed (1d3), pounce, rake (2 claws +10, 1d4+6)
STATISTICS
Str 23, Dex 15, Con 19, Int 2, Wis 12, Cha 6
Base Atk +4; CMB +10 (+14 grapple); CMD 22 (26 vs. trip)
Feats Power Attack, Run, Skill Focus (Perception)
Skills Acrobatics +10, Perception +9, Stealth +11 (+15 in heavy undergrowth or tall grass), Swim +10; Racial Modifiers +4 Acrobatics, +4 Stealth (+8 in heavy undergrowth or tall grass)
ECOLOGY
Environment warm forests and plains
Organization solitary, pair or den (6–10)
Treasure none
The smilodon, also known as the saber-toothed cat, is a powerful feline predator that savors the flesh of large creatures such as mastodons, mammoths, elephants, bison, buffalo, deer, and other great cats (excluding other smilodons). Smilodons are noted scavengers and have no problem devouring another animal’s kill. Animals that resist the smilodon usually become part of the meal as well. Often mistakenly referred to as saber-toothed tigers by adventurers and sages, they are not in fact, related to tigers at all.
Breeding season for smilodons takes place year round (that is, they have no set mating period). A male smilodon mates with all females in the den. Gestation lasts about 80 days after which time 1d4+2 cubs are born. Cubs reach maturity around two years of age. Most leave the den and go on their own at this age.
Smilodons average about five feet long and weigh nearly 500 pounds, but can grow to a length of eight feet and weigh up to 900 pounds. Their fur is golden or spotted (similar to a leopard). Their legs are short but powerful and their tail is short and bobbed. The smilodon has two eight-inch long, downward-curving canine teeth. These saber-like fangs are very sharp and are used for stabbing prey. This creature can open its jaws almost twice as far as other big cats.
Other great cats, like lions and tigers, can only open their jaws to an angle of about 65-degrees, but the smilodon can stretch its jaws to an angle of 120-degrees. These ferocious hunters prefer to attack from ambush, using their coloration to blend in with their surroundings so they can catch their opponents by surprise. When prey is spotted, the smilodon waits for it to come close, and then leaps to attack. When combating a foe, the saber-tooth bites and rakes with its claws. It uses its long canine teeth to stab its prey, aiming for the fleshier and softer parts of its victim’s body (such as the stomach or neck) where it inflicts terrible wounds with its saber-like teeth.
Section 15: Copyright Notice
Smilodon (Saber-Toothed Cat) from the Tome of Horrors Complete, Copyright 2011, Necromancer Games, Inc., published and distributed by Frog God Games; Author Scott Greene
Alpha Smilodon
Large Beast, Unaligned
Challenge: 6 (2,300 XP)
Proficiency Bonus: +3
“Its fangs gleam like ivory daggers, its roar shakes the snow from the trees, and its eyes burn with ancient wildness—the Alpha Smilodon rules the forgotten wilds.”
Armor Class 16 (natural armor)
Hit Points 136 (16d10 + 48)
Speed 50 ft., climb 30 ft.
| STR | DEX | CON | INT | WIS | CHA |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 20 (+5) | 17 (+3) | 17 (+3) | 4 (–3) | 16 (+3) | 10 (+0) |
Saving Throws Dex +6, Wis +6
Skills Perception +6, Stealth +6, Athletics +8
Damage Resistances Cold; bludgeoning, piercing, and slashing from nonmagical attacks
Senses Darkvision 60 ft., Tremorsense 10 ft., passive Perception 16
Languages —
Traits
Legendary Apex Predator.
The Alpha Smilodon can take 3 legendary actions, choosing from the options below. Only one legendary action can be used at a time and only at the end of another creature’s turn. It regains spent legendary actions at the start of its turn.
Keen Smell.
The Smilodon has advantage on Wisdom (Perception) checks that rely on smell.
Alpha Pounce.
If the Alpha moves at least 20 feet straight toward a creature and hits it with a Claw on the same turn, the target must make a DC 16 Strength saving throw or be knocked prone. If prone, the Alpha may immediately use Saber Bite as a bonus action with advantage and deal an extra 10 (3d6) piercing damage.
Terror Roar (Recharge 5–6).
The Alpha Smilodon releases a thunderous roar. All hostile creatures within 30 feet who can hear it must succeed on a DC 14 Wisdom saving throw or be frightened until the end of the Alpha’s next turn. If already frightened, they must instead succeed on a DC 14 Constitution saving throw or be stunned until the end of their next turn.
Actions
Multiattack.
The Alpha Smilodon makes two Claw attacks. If both hit the same target, it may make one Saber Bite attack as a bonus action.
Claw.
Melee Weapon Attack: +8 to hit, reach 5 ft., one target.
Hit: 14 (2d8 + 5) slashing damage.
Saber Bite.
Melee Weapon Attack: +8 to hit, reach 5 ft., one target.
Hit: 22 (4d8 + 4) piercing damage. If the target is prone, it takes an additional 7 (2d6) damage and must succeed on a DC 15 Constitution saving throw or be bleeding—taking 5 (1d10) damage at the start of each of its turns for 1 minute or until it receives magical healing or a DC 15 Medicine check.
Legendary Actions
The Alpha Smilodon can take 3 legendary actions:
- Stalk. The Alpha moves up to half its speed without provoking opportunity attacks.
- Lash Out. The Alpha makes a single Claw attack.
- Savage Pounce (Costs 2). If a creature is prone within 10 feet, the Alpha leaps to it and makes one Saber Bite attack with advantage.
Lair Behavior (Optional)
In its territory (dense forest, snowy tundra, misty ruins), the Alpha Smilodon has advantage on Stealth and Perception checks and gains an additional +2 bonus to initiative.