Beasts are a type of monster in Dungeons & Dragons that represent the natural and often mundane creatures that inhabit the world. They are usually not evil, but rather driven by their instincts and survival needs. Beasts can range from tiny insects to colossal whales, and include mammals, birds, reptiles, amphibians, fish, and more. Some beasts have magical abilities or traits that make them more formidable than their ordinary counterparts. Beasts are often encountered as allies, enemies, or neutral parties by adventurers, depending on the situation and the beast’s temperament. Beasts can also be tamed, trained, or befriended by characters who have the appropriate skills or spells.
Beasts can be further divided into three subcategories: animals, giant animals, and dinosaurs.
- Animals are the most common and familiar type of beasts, representing the ordinary creatures that can be found in many environments. They include domesticated animals, such as dogs, cats, horses, and cows, as well as wild animals, such as wolves, bears, deer, and lions. Animals are usually not very powerful or dangerous, unless they are provoked or threatened. Some animals can be trained or befriended by characters who have the appropriate skills or spells.
- Giant animals are larger and stronger versions of normal animals, often with enhanced abilities or traits. They are usually the result of magical experimentation, exposure to strange energies, or adaptation to extreme environments. Some examples of giant animals are giant spiders, giant eagles, giant crocodiles, and giant badgers. Giant animals are more formidable than their normal counterparts, and can pose a serious threat to adventurers. Some giant animals can also be tamed or trained by characters who have the appropriate skills or spells.
- Dinosaurs are a group of ancient reptilian creatures that existed on the world since before the time of recorded history. They come in many shapes and sizes, from small to large, and can be either herbivorous or carnivorous. Unlike dragons, dinosaurs are incapable of speech and are non-intelligent by nature. Dinosaurs often live in areas very much isolated from humanoid habitation, such as remote mountain valleys, isolated rocky plateaus, dense tropical island forests, or secluded in the deepest and darkest of the jungles. Some dinosaurs have magical abilities or traits that make them more formidable than their ordinary counterparts, such as the tyrannosaurus rex or the pteranodon. Dinosaurs can also be tamed, trained, or befriended by characters who have the appropriate skills or spells.
Keen Senses: A Common Ability of Beasts
Another common trait that most beasts share is the ability Keen Senses. This ability reflects the heightened awareness and instincts of natural creatures, especially those that rely on their senses to hunt or avoid predators. Beasts with Keen Senses have advantage on Wisdom (Perception) checks that rely on any kind of sense they employ, such as sight, smell, hearing, touch, or taste, meaning they roll two dice and take the higher result. This gives them a better chance of noticing hidden or stealthy creatures, as well as detecting traps or other dangers. Some examples of beasts with Keen Senses are wolves, bears, owls, and bats. However, this ability may not apply to some specific beasts or situations, depending on the monster entry or the Game Master’s discretion. For instance, a beast that is blinded or deafened may not benefit from Keen Senses for the affected sense.