Medium beast (dinosaur), unaligned
Large (suggested) beast (dinosaur), unaligned
Armor Class 13 (natural armor)
Hit Points 26 (4d8 + 8)
Hit Points (suggested) 38 (4d10 + 16)
Speed 40 ft.
Speed (suggested) 80 ft.
Proficiency Bonus +2
Proficiency Bonus +3 (5th Edition Advanced Mode)
| STR | DEX | CON | INT | WIS | CHA |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 15 (+2) 19 (+4)* | 15 (+2) | 14 (+2) 18 (+4)* | 4 (-3) | 12 (+1) | 6 (-2) |
Skills Perception +3
Senses passive Perception 13
Languages –
Challenge 1 (200 XP)
Pounce. If the deinonychus 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 12 Strength saving throw or be knocked prone. If the target is prone, the deinonychus can make one bite attack against it as a bonus action.
Rake (suggested). If the target is knocked prone by the pounce, the deinonychus may rake with its rear talons dealing 15 (2d6 + 8) slashing damage each as a bonus action. No hit roll required.
ACTIONS
- Multiattack. The deinonychus makes three attacks: one with its bite and two with its claws.
- Bite. Melee Weapon Attack: +6 to hit, reach 5 ft., one target. Hit: 8 (1d8 + 4) piercing damage.
- Claw. Melee Weapon Attack: +6 to hit, reach 5 ft. one target. Hit: 8 (1d8 + 4) slashing damage.
5th Edition Advanced Mode
Limiting the power of a character and making the overall difficulty of the game harder, does not reduce the creativity, indeed it does quite the opposite.
The Game Master has the option to use any and all of the instances proposed in this guide, or just some of them according to their preference.
It is the lack of something that move and motivate characters, not the abundance of it
DESCRIPTION
Deinonychus has a sleek, muscular body covered with dark green feathers. It has a long, narrow head with a pointed snout and rows of serrated teeth. Its eyes are yellow and have slit pupils, giving it excellent vision in low-light conditions. Its forelimbs are shorter than its hindlimbs, but both have three large claws that can slash and grip. Its most distinctive feature is its sickle-shaped claw on each hind foot, which it uses to deliver devastating wounds to its victims. Deinonychus can grow up to 16 feet long and weigh up to 400 pounds.
COMBAT
Deinonychus is an agile and cunning hunter that prefers to ambush its prey rather than chase it. It often hunts in packs of two or more, coordinating their attacks and using their superior speed and mobility to flank and surround their enemies. Deinonychus can run very fast, and can leap far horizontally or high vertically. It can also climb trees and rocks with ease, using its claws to latch on.
Deinonychus’s main tactic is to pounce on its target, knocking it prone and biting it as a bonus action. It then follows up with two claw attacks, slashing with its forelimbs and stabbing with its hind claws. If the target is still alive, it will continue to feed on it until it dies or escapes. Deinonychus is not afraid to fight larger or stronger foes, as long as it has the advantage of numbers or surprise. However, it will flee if it is outnumbered or wounded, unless it is defending its territory or mates.
Deinonychus has a moderate armor class, low hit points, and a low challenge rating. It has a good bonus to hit with its bite and claw attacks, which deal moderate piercing or slashing damage each. It also has a decent bonus to perception checks and a fair passive perception. It does not have any special abilities or resistances, but it does have the pounce trait, which allows it to knock prone and bite as a bonus action any creature that it hits with a claw attack after moving at least 20 feet straight toward it. The creature must succeed on a strength saving throw or be knocked prone.
HABITAT / SOCIETY
Deinonychus lives in warm, tropical or subtropical regions, such as jungles, savannas, or grasslands. It prefers areas with plenty of cover and prey, such as forests, swamps, or hills. It avoids deserts, mountains, or cold climates. Deinonychus is territorial and will mark its hunting grounds with scratches and scents. It will defend its territory from intruders, especially other deinonychuses or predators.
Deinonychus is social and forms packs of two to six members. The pack is led by the strongest and most dominant member, usually a male or a female. The pack members cooperate in hunting, feeding, and raising their young. Deinonychus mates for life and produces one or two eggs per year. The eggs are laid in a nest made of leaves and feathers, hidden in a secluded spot. The parents take turns guarding the nest until the eggs hatch after two months. The hatchlings are cared for by both parents until they are old enough to hunt on their own.
Deinonychus rarely interacts with other creatures, except as prey or enemies. It views most humanoids as food sources or threats, and will attack them on sight unless they are too large or well-armed. Some druids or rangers may be able to befriend or tame a deinonychus, but this requires patience and skill.
ECOLOGY
Deinonychus is an apex predator that feeds on any animal smaller than itself. It prefers medium-sized prey such as deer, boar, or humanoids, but will also eat smaller animals such as rodents, birds, or lizards. It can also scavenge carrion or steal kills from other predators.
Deinonychus has few natural enemies, except for larger or more powerful predators such as tyrannosaurus rex, allosaurus, or dragons. It may also compete with other deinonychuses or similar hunters such as velociraptors or lions.