DINICHTHYS – 5e stats

Huge beast (dinosaur), unaligned

Armor Class 18 (natural armor), 22 (head)
Hit Points 157 (15d12 + 60)
Speed swim 40 ft.

Proficiency Bonus +4
Proficiency Bonus +6 (5th Edition Advanced Mode)

STRDEXCONINTWISCHA
23 (+6)10 (+0)19 (+4)2 (-4)12 (+1)5 (-3)

Saving Throws Con +8, Str +10
Skills Perception +5
Condition Immunities prone
Senses darkvision 120 ft., passive Perception 15
Languages –
Challenge 10 (5,900 XP)

Aquatic Predator. The Dinichthys can breathe only underwater.

Siege Monster. The Dinichthys deals double damage to objects and structures.

ACTIONS

  • Bite. Melee Weapon Attack: +10 to hit, reach 5 ft., one target. Hit: 39 (6d10 + 6) piercing damage. If the target is a creature, it is grappled (escape DC 18). Until this grapple ends, the target is restrained, and the Dinichthys can’t bite another target. If the Dinichthys scores a critical hit, it can attempt to swallow the grappled target if it is Large or smaller. The swallowed target is blinded and restrained, it has total cover against attacks and other effects outside the Dinichthys, and it takes 25 (6d6 + 4) acid damage at the start of each of the Dinichthys’s turns. If the Dinichthys takes 30 damage or more on a single turn from the swallowed creature, the Dinichthys must succeed on a DC 18 Constitution saving throw at the end of that turn or regurgitate the creature within 10 feet of the Dinichthys. If the Dinichthys dies, a swallowed creature is no longer restrained by it and can escape from the corpse using 15 feet of movement, exiting prone.

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

The Dinichthys, often referred to as the “terrible fish,” is a creature that harkens back to the Late Devonian period. This massive marine predator is known for its formidable presence and the bone-crushing power of its jaws. Its body is covered in a natural armor, making it a daunting sight for any adventurer. The Dinichthys’ head is adorned with hard, plate-like structures, and its wide mouth is filled with sharp, blade-like teeth that hint at its predatory nature.

COMBAT

In the dangerous waters of the D&D world, the Dinichthys is a force to be reckoned with. Its combat style is direct and brutal, relying on the sheer strength of its bite to capture and incapacitate prey. The creature’s natural armor provides it with a significant defense, allowing it to withstand attacks while it focuses on overpowering its foes. The Dinichthys is not known for complex tactics but rather for its ability to dominate through raw power and resilience.

HABITAT / SOCIETY

The Dinichthys is a solitary creature, preferring the depths of ancient seas and oceans. It thrives in environments where it can use its size and strength to its advantage, often near underwater cliffs or in the vast open waters. There is little known about the social structure of the Dinichthys, as they are rarely encountered in groups. It is believed that these creatures are highly territorial and will fiercely defend their chosen domain from any intruders.

ECOLOGY

As an apex predator, the Dinichthys plays a crucial role in the marine ecosystem of the D&D world. Its diet likely consists of large fish, marine mammals, and possibly even other marine monsters. The presence of a Dinichthys in an area can significantly impact the local food chain, as it can decimate populations of prey species if left unchecked. However, its role as a top predator also helps maintain the balance in its aquatic realm, ensuring that no single species becomes overly dominant.