Buy me a coffeeDire Weasel, “The Moonlit Stalker”
“Meet the Dire Weasel: A ferocious, fanged predator that’s ten times the size of your average weaselâand twice as terrifying!”
The Dire Weasel is an imposing predator, standing up to 4 feet tall at the shoulder and stretching over 8 feet in length, including its whip-like tail. Its coarse fur ranges from dark mahogany to sooty black, providing excellent camouflage in its shadowy habitats. Piercing amber eyes gleam with predatory intelligence, set within a long, narrow skull. Razor-sharp teeth and oversized fangs protrude slightly even when its mouth is closed, while its muscular body is built for agility and power. Its claws are curved and razor-edged, designed for gripping prey and climbing.
Behavior:
Aggressive and territorial, the Dire Weasel is both a solitary and fiercely independent predator. It displays cunning behavior, often toying with prey to tire or disorient it before striking. These creatures are nocturnal, using the cover of darkness to stalk their victims with silent precision. Although it typically hunts alone, Dire Weasels may form small, loose packs when food is abundant, cooperating to bring down larger prey. They are opportunistic feeders, consuming anything from smaller mammals to the occasional large predator that encroaches on their domain.
Habitat:
Dire Weasels thrive in dense forests, shadowy mountain slopes, and cavernous regions where they can easily ambush prey. They favor environments with plenty of cover and complex terrain, such as thickets, rocky crags, and underground burrows. Their dens are usually hidden in narrow caves or hollowed-out trees, lined with fur and bones from their kills. While predominantly forest dwellers, some have adapted to colder tundra climates, developing thicker fur and hunting strategies to survive.
Modus Operandi:
A silent stalker, the Dire Weasel uses its exceptional agility and stealth to close in on prey. It often employs a strategy of tracking targets from a distance, waiting until the perfect moment to pounce. When hunting, it moves with eerie quiet, pausing frequently to assess its preyâs movements. Once within striking range, the Dire Weasel launches a sudden, frenzied assault, aiming for the throat or other vulnerable areas. If its initial strike fails, it retreats into the shadows, only to circle back and attack from another angle.
Motivation:
Survival and dominance drive the Dire Weasel. It hunts not only to feed but also to maintain its position at the top of its local food chain. The creature is highly territorial and will attack intruders to defend its hunting grounds. Some stories suggest that Dire Weasels possess an almost vindictive streak, as they are known to pursue prey for miles after an initial encounter. For them, the hunt is as much about control and asserting power as it is about sustenance.
Dire Weasel 5e
Dire Weasel Pathfinder
Dire Weasel
Large beast, unaligned
Armor Class: 14 (natural armor)
Hit Points: 67 (8d10 + 24)
Speed: 50 ft., climb 30 ft.
| STR | DEX | CON | INT | WIS | CHA |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 16 (+3) | 16 (+3) | 16 (+3) | 2 (-4) | 14 (+2) | 6 (-2) |
Saving Throws: Dexterity +5, Constitution +5
Skills: Stealth +5, Perception +4
Senses: Darkvision 60 ft., Passive Perception 14
Languages: Understands Beast Speech but cannot speak
Challenge: 3 (700 XP)
TRAITS
Keen Smell.
It has advantage on Wisdom (Perception) checks that rely on smell.
Pack Tactics.
It has advantage on an attack roll against a creature if at least one of the Dire Weaselâs allies is within 5 feet of the creature and the ally isnât incapacitated.
Chilling Speed.
When the Dire Weasel takes the Dash action, it can move through difficult terrain without expending extra movement. Additionally, it gains a +1 bonus to attack rolls until the end of its turn.
Mighty Leap.
The Dire Weasel can leap up to 15 feet horizontally or vertically as part of its movement, without provoking opportunity attacks.
ACTIONS
Multiattack.
The Dire Weasel makes two attacks: one with its Bite and one with its Claws.
Bite.
Melee Weapon Attack: +5 to hit, reach 5 ft., one target.
Hit: 11 (2d6 + 3) piercing damage.
Claw.
Melee Weapon Attack: +5 to hit, reach 5 ft., one target.
Hit: 9 (2d4 + 3) slashing damage.
Terrifying Scream (Recharge 5â6).
The Dire Weasel emits a high-pitched, bloodcurdling scream that causes fear in creatures nearby. Each creature within 30 feet of the Dire Weasel must succeed on a DC 13 Wisdom saving throw or be frightened for 1 minute. A frightened creature can repeat the saving throw at the end of each of its turns, ending the effect on itself on a success. The Dire Weasel can use this ability only once per encounter.
Ambush Pounce.
If the Dire Weasel has advantage on an attack roll and hits with its Bite attack, it can immediately make a Claw attack as a bonus action.
Rend.
Recharge 6.
The Dire Weasel tears into its prey with brutal savagery. The creature makes a Claw attack; if it hits, the target must succeed on a DC 13 Constitution saving throw or take an additional 10 (3d6) slashing damage and have its movement speed reduced by 10 feet until the start of the Dire Weaselâs next turn.
REACTIONS
Defensive Retreat.
When a creature within 5 feet of the Dire Weasel hits it with an attack, the Dire Weasel can use its reaction to disengage and move up to its speed, without provoking opportunity attacks.
TACTICS AND COMBAT STRATEGY
- Opening the Fight: The Dire Weasel uses its Chilling Speed to quickly dart through terrain, positioning itself to either flank its prey or prepare for a sudden Ambush Pounce. It will leap in with Mighty Leap, striking with its Bite and immediately following with a Claw if it has advantage.
- Using Terrain: If outnumbered, the Dire Weasel will use its Defensive Retreat to disengage from combat and reposition. It thrives in forests and caves, using the environment for quick ambushes.
- Frustrating Foes: When surrounded, the Terrifying Scream will break enemy ranks, making it easier for the Dire Weasel to pick off weaker or isolated targets.
Dire Weasel
This bear-sized predator is long and low-slung. Its soft fur and intelligent expression contrast with its glistening fangs.
Dire Weasel CR 3
XP 800
N Large animal
Init +3; Senses low-light vision, scent; Perception +11
DEFENSE
AC 17, touch 12, flat-footed 14 (+3 Dex, +5 natural, â1 size)
hp 32 (5d8+10)
Fort +6, Ref +7, Will +2
OFFENSE
Speed 40 ft.
Melee bite +8 (1d8+7 plus grab)
Space 10 ft.; Reach 10 ft.
Special Attacks blood drain (1d4+1 Con), blood rage, grab
STATISTICS
Str 21, Dex 16, Con 14, Int 2, Wis 13, Cha 11
Base Atk +3; CMB +9 (+13 grapple); CMD 22 (26 vs. trip)
Feats Combat Reflexes, Skill Focus (Perception), Weapon Focus (bite)
Skills Climb +9, Perception +11, Stealth +10, Swim +11; Racial Modifiers +4 Climb, +2 Perception, +6 Stealth, +2 Swim
SQ compression
ECOLOGY
Environment any land
Organization solitary, pair, or den (3â6)
Treasure incidental
Common in a variety of environments and climates, dire weasels are larger relatives of normal weasels. Theyâre relentless predators known for their fearless nature and killing frenzies, and are dangerous to farmsteads and settlementsâthey not only prey on cattle and horses, but also target humanoids. Those that do often become obsessed with the taste of that flesh and hunt such prey exclusively. Sometimes, dire weasels are trained to be mounts by evil humanoidsâusually by bugbears or hobgoblins.
Measuring 12 feet long, a dire weasel stands 4 feet tall at the shoulder and weighs around 900 pounds.
Section 15: Copyright Notice
Pathfinder Roleplaying Game Bestiary 4 © 2013, Paizo Publishing, LLC; Authors: Dennis Baker, Jesse Benner, Savannah Broadway, Ross Byers, Adam Daigle, Tim Hitchcock, Tracy Hurley, James Jacobs, Matt James, Rob McCreary, Jason Nelson, Tom Phillips, Stephen Radney-MacFarland, Sean K Reynolds, F. Wesley Schneider, Tork Shaw, and Russ Taylor.