Tyrannosaurus Rex
Jump to Tyrannosaurus statistics for D&D 2024, D&D 2014, Pathfinder 1e and D&D 3.5e.
The ultimate prehistoric apex predator with jaws that crush bones and a roar that shakes the earth—meet the unstoppable Tyrannosaurus rex!
The Tyrannosaurus rex is a towering colossus, measuring up to 40 feet in length with a massive skull and powerful jaws lined with thick, serrated teeth capable of crushing bone. Its muscular hind legs support its immense bulk, while its famously small, yet robust, forelimbs end in two clawed digits. Its thick, scaly hide ranges from mottled earth tones to dark greens, helping it blend into dense forests and plains.
Behaviour
T. rex is a solitary and territorial predator, often reigning as the apex hunter in its domain. It is patient and methodical, capable of sudden bursts of incredible speed when closing in on prey. Though primarily a hunter, it will not hesitate to scavenge carcasses when the opportunity arises. T. rex uses a combination of intimidation—through deep roars and displays—and brute force to dominate rivals and prey alike.
Habitat
T. rex prowls dense forests, river valleys, and coastal plains where large herbivorous dinosaurs roam. It prefers regions rich with prey and adequate cover for ambush hunting.
Modus Operandi
T. rex stalks its prey silently, using its keen vision and acute sense of smell. When ready to attack, it lunges with powerful strides and delivers devastating bites aimed to immobilize or kill swiftly. It uses its massive tail for balance and can deliver strong sweeping blows in close combat. When threatened or challenged, T. rex relies on its overwhelming size and terrifying presence to intimidate opponents.
Motivation
Driven primarily by hunger and survival, the Tyrannosaurus rex fiercely defends its territory and hunts to sustain its massive energy needs. It seeks to dominate the ecosystem as the apex predator, competing only when necessary for resources or mates.
Browse Dinosaurs, Animals or the Lost World Bestiary. Compare Triceratops for another encounter.
Tyrannosaurus statistics
Select one published version. The D&D creatures hold prey in their jaws; the Pathfinder and 3.5e creatures can swallow it. The original Sovereign house variant remains available inside the 2014 panel.
Tyrannosaurus Rex — D&D 2024
Huge Beast (Dinosaur), Unaligned
CR 8 (3,900 XP); Proficiency Bonus +3.
AC 13; Initiative +3 (13)
HP 136 (13d12 + 52); Speed 50 ft.
| STR | DEX | CON | INT | WIS | CHA |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 25 (+7) | 10 (+0) | 19 (+4) | 2 (−4) | 12 (+1) | 9 (−1) |
| Save +10 | Save +0 | Save +4 | Save −4 | Save +4 | Save −1 |
Skills Perception +4; Senses Passive Perception 14; Languages None.
Actions
Multiattack. Make one Bite attack and one Tail attack.
Bite. Melee attack +10, reach 10 ft., one target. Hit: 33 (4d12 + 7) piercing damage. A Large or smaller creature hit is Grappled (escape DC 17). While Grappled this way it is Restrained and cannot be targeted by this tyrannosaurus’s Tail.
Tail. Melee attack +10, reach 15 ft., one target. Hit: 25 (4d8 + 7) bludgeoning damage. If the target is Huge or smaller, it has the Prone condition.
Published SRD 5.2.1, p. 363. Official 2024 reference. Its Bite does not offer an initial saving throw. The jaws remain occupied while maintaining the grapple.
Tyrannosaurus Rex — D&D 2014
Huge beast, unaligned
Challenge 8 (3,900 XP); Proficiency Bonus +3.
Armor Class 13 (natural armor); Initiative +0
Hit Points 136 (13d12 + 52); Speed 50 ft.
| STR | DEX | CON | INT | WIS | CHA |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 25 (+7) | 10 (+0) | 19 (+4) | 2 (−4) | 12 (+1) | 9 (−1) |
| Save +7 | Save +0 | Save +4 | Save −4 | Save +1 | Save −1 |
Skills Perception +4; Senses passive Perception 14; Languages None. Saving throws use the displayed ability modifiers.
Actions
Multiattack. Make one Bite attack and one Tail attack, against different targets.
Bite. Melee weapon attack +10, reach 10 ft., one target. Hit: 33 (4d12 + 7) piercing damage. A Medium or smaller creature hit is grappled (escape DC 17). Until that grapple ends it is restrained, and the tyrannosaurus cannot bite another target.
Tail. Melee weapon attack +10, reach 10 ft., one target. Hit: 20 (3d8 + 7) bludgeoning damage.
Published SRD 5.1 / 2014 creature. Official legacy reference. The optional house variant below retains the original entry’s additional abilities.
Optional 2014 variant — Sovereign of the Bonecrush Jungle
Sovereign of the Bonecrush Jungle
Huge beast, unaligned
Original house variant: listed CR 8 (3,900 XP), not independently balanced or playtested; PB +3. Use this complete block in place of the standard 2014 creature.
AC 13 (natural armor); Initiative +0
HP 136 (13d12 + 52); Speed 50 ft.
| STR | DEX | CON | INT | WIS | CHA |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 25 (+7) | 10 (+0) | 19 (+4) | 2 (−4) | 12 (+1) | 9 (−1) |
| Save +10 | Save +0 | Save +7 | Save −4 | Save +1 | Save −1 |
Skills Perception +4; Senses passive Perception 14; Languages None.
Traits
Keen Smell. Advantage on Wisdom (Perception) checks that rely on smell.
Powerful Build. Count as one size larger for carrying capacity and the weight it can push, drag or lift.
Trampling Charge. If it moves at least 20 feet straight toward a creature and hits it with Bite on that turn, the target must pass a DC 18 Strength save or fall prone. If the target is prone, it can make one Tail attack against that target as a bonus action.
Actions
Multiattack. Make one Bite attack and one Tail attack.
Bite. Melee weapon attack +10, reach 10 ft., one target. Hit: 33 (4d12 + 7) piercing damage. A creature hit must pass a DC 18 Strength save or be grappled (escape DC 18). While held, it is restrained and the tyrannosaurus cannot bite a different target. This variant’s grapple has no listed target-size restriction.
Tail. Melee weapon attack +10, reach 15 ft., one target. Hit: 20 (3d8 + 7) bludgeoning damage.
Using the variant: Let it scent out hidden prey and charge along a clear route. A successful charge can leave one victim prone and restrained while its regular Tail attack keeps rescuers away. A charging Bite can require two separate DC 18 Strength saves: one against being knocked prone and one against being grappled. The bonus-action Tail is conditional on Trampling Charge; it is not an extra attack every round. These added traits, saves and DCs distinguish this house version from both published D&D blocks.
Tyrannosaurus — Pathfinder 1e
CR 9; XP 6,400
N Gargantuan animal
Init +5; Senses low-light vision, scent; Perception +37.
Defense
AC 21, touch 7, flat-footed 20 (+1 Dex, +14 natural, −4 size)
hp 153 (18d8 + 72)
Fort +15, Ref +12, Will +10.
Offense
Speed 40 ft.; Space 20 ft.; Reach 20 ft.
Melee bite +20 (4d6 + 22/19–20/×2 plus grab)
Special Attacks swallow whole (2d8 + 11, AC 17, hp 15).
Statistics
| STR | DEX | CON | INT | WIS | CHA |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 32 (+11) | 13 (+1) | 19 (+4) | 2 (−4) | 15 (+2) | 10 (+0) |
Base Atk +13; CMB +28 (+32 grapple); CMD 39
Feats Bleeding Critical, Critical Focus, Diehard, Endurance, Improved Critical (bite), Improved Initiative, Iron Will, Run, Skill Focus (Perception)
Skills Perception +37; Racial Modifiers +8 Perception
SQ powerful bite; Languages None.
Special Abilities
Powerful Bite (Ex). Add twice the Strength modifier to bite damage; this is already included in 4d6 + 22.
Grab (Ex). On a bite hit against a creature its size or smaller, attempt a grapple as a free action without provoking an attack of opportunity. Use grapple CMB +32. It can instead hold with its jaws alone at a −20 penalty to the grapple check, avoiding the grappled condition itself.
Swallow Whole (Ex). If it starts its turn with a creature grappled in its mouth, attempt another grapple check, as for pinning, to swallow it. A swallowed target must be Huge or smaller. The successful check deals bite damage; the swallowed target then takes 2d8 + 11 damage each round. It remains grappled. It can cut free with a light slashing or piercing weapon by dealing 15 damage against AC 17, or escape the grapple back into the mouth. Cutting free prevents further swallowing until the wound heals.
Critical feats. Bite threatens on 19–20; Critical Focus adds +4 to confirmation rolls. A confirmed piercing bite critical also causes 2d6 bleed damage on the victim’s turns. Further Bleeding Critical effects stack; a DC 15 Heal check or any magical healing stops that bleeding.
Diehard. Below 0 hp but above −19 hp, it can remain conscious and staggered rather than fall unconscious. A standard action or other strenuous action costs 1 hp; it dies at −19 hp.
Scent. Detect presence within 30 feet (60 feet upwind, 15 feet downwind), learn direction with a move action, and pinpoint within 5 feet. Strong odors extend these ranges; scent can be used for tracking.
Ecology
Environment warm forest and plains; Organization solitary, pair, or pack (3–6); Treasure none.
Published Pathfinder RPG Bestiary, p. 86. Archives of Nethys · Grab, scent and swallow whole rules · Bleeding Critical.
Tyrannosaurus — D&D 3.5e
Huge Animal; Alignment always neutral; Challenge Rating 8.
Hit Dice 18d8 + 99 (180 hp); Initiative +1
Speed 40 ft. (8 squares)
Armor Class 14 (−2 size, +1 Dex, +5 natural), touch 9, flat-footed 13.
Base Attack/Grapple +13/+30
Attack bite +20 melee (3d6 + 13)
Full Attack bite +20 melee (3d6 + 13)
Space/Reach 15 ft./10 ft.
Special Attacks improved grab, swallow whole
Special Qualities low-light vision, scent
Saves Fort +16, Ref +12, Will +8.
| STR | DEX | CON | INT | WIS | CHA |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 28 (+9) | 12 (+1) | 21 (+5) | 2 (−4) | 15 (+2) | 10 (+0) |
Skills Hide −2, Listen +14, Spot +14; includes +2 racial bonuses to Listen and Spot
Feats Alertness, Improved Natural Attack (bite), Run, Toughness (three selections), Track
Languages None.
Special Attacks
Improved Grab (Ex). On a bite hit against a Large or smaller opponent, attempt a grapple as a free action without provoking an attack of opportunity. Use grapple +30. A successful hold allows a swallow attempt on the following round.
Swallow Whole (Ex). Make a successful grapple check against a held Medium or smaller opponent to swallow it. A swallowed creature takes 2d8 + 8 bludgeoning damage and 8 acid damage per round. It can use a light slashing or piercing weapon to cut free by dealing 25 damage to the gizzard (AC 12). The opening closes after it exits; another swallowed creature must cut its own way out. Escaping the grapple instead returns the victim to the jaws.
Gizzard capacity. Two Medium, eight Small, 32 Tiny, or 128 Diminutive or smaller opponents.
Scent. Detect presence within 30 feet (60 feet upwind, 15 feet downwind), determine direction with a move action, and pinpoint within 5 feet. Strong odors carry farther. Scent permits tracking under its normal rules.
Ecology and Advancement
Environment warm plains; Organization solitary or pair; Treasure none
Advancement 19–36 HD (Huge); 37–54 HD (Gargantuan); Level Adjustment —.
Published 3.5 System Reference Document. Tyrannosaurus reference. The seven feat selections include three Toughness selections, contributing 9 hp to the printed total.
Ability references: Strength, Dexterity, Constitution, Intelligence, Wisdom, Charisma.
Sources and licensing
D&D 2024 attribution: This work includes material from the System Reference Document 5.2.1 (“SRD 5.2.1”) by Wizards of the Coast LLC, available at https://www.dndbeyond.com/srd. The SRD 5.2.1 is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License available at https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/legalcode.
D&D 2014 attribution: This work includes material taken from the System Reference Document 5.1 (“SRD 5.1”) by Wizards of the Coast LLC and available at https://dnd.wizards.com/resources/systems-reference-document. The SRD 5.1 is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License available at https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/legalcode. Rules wording has been adapted for readability. The separately labelled Sovereign is an original house variant retained from this entry.
Pathfinder 1e: Pathfinder RPG Bestiary, p. 86, via Archives of Nethys. D&D 3.5e: System Reference Document — Dinosaur. The relevant OGL notices follow. Illustration licences are separate from the game mechanics; existing creator credits are retained beside each image.
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Open Game Content identification: The Pathfinder 1e and D&D 3.5e mechanical material on this page is Open Game Content under OGL 1.0a. The original campaign writing, encounter situations, artwork and presentation are not designated Open Game Content. The 2024 and 2014 SRD rules are attributed separately under Creative Commons below.
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