MINOTAUR – 5e stats

Large monstrosity, chaotic evil

Armor Class 14 (Natural Armor)
Hit Points 76 (9d10+27)
Speed 40 ft.

Proficiency Bonus +2
Proficiency Bonus +4 (5th Edition Advanced Mode)

STR	DEX	CON	INT	WIS	CHA
18 (+4)	11 (+0)	16 (+3)	6 (-2)	16 (+3)	9 (-1)

Saving Throws (suggested) Str +6, Con +5
Skills Perception +7
Senses darkvision 60 ft., passive perception 17
Languages Abyssal
Challenge 3 (700 XP)

Charge. If the minotaur moves at least 10 ft. straight toward a target and then hits it with a gore attack on the same turn, the target takes an extra 9 (2d8) piercing damage. If the target is a creature, it must succeed on a DC 14 Strength saving throw or be pushed up to 10 ft. away and knocked prone.

Fearless (suggested). The minotaur has advantage on saving throws from effects that may impose the frigthened condition.

Keen Senses (suggested). The minotaur has advantage on alla perception checks that rely on scent.

Labyrinthine Recall. The minotaur can perfectly recall any path it has traveled.

Reckless. At the start of its turn, the minotaur can gain advantage on all melee weapon attack rolls it makes during that turn, but attack rolls against it have advantage until the start of its next turn.

ACTIONS

• Multiattack (suggested). The minotaur makes two attacks with its gore or one attack with its weapon and one with its bite or two attacks with its weapon.
• Bite (suggested). Melee Weapon Attack: +6 to hit, reach 5 ft., one target. Hit: 6 (1d4 + 4) piercing damage. Only against Small sized or larger creatures.
• Greataxe. Melee Weapon Attack: +6 to hit, reach 5 ft., one target. Hit: 17 (2d12 + 4) slashing damage.
• Greataxe (suggested). Melee Weapon Attack: +6 to hit, reach 10 ft., one target. Hit: 10 (1d12 + 4) slashing damage.
• Gore. Melee Weapon Attack: +6 to hit, reach 5 ft., one target. Hit: 13 (2d8 + 4) piercing damage.
• Gore (suggested). Melee Weapon Attack: +6 to hit, reach 5 ft., one target. Hit: 9 (2d4 + 4) piercing damage. Only against Medium sized or larger creatures.

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DESCRIPTION

Minotaurs are monstrous humanoids that resemble a cross between a bull and a human. They have the head, horns, and hooves of a bull, and the body, arms, and hands of a human. They are covered in fur that ranges from brown to black, and have sharp teeth and claws. They are huge, well over 7 feet tall, and quite broad and muscular. They are fierce, strong, and aggressive, often living in labyrinths or underground lairs. They worship Baphomet, the demon lord of beasts and savagery, and speak Abyssal, Giant, and a primitive dialect of Common.

Minotaurs are either cursed humans or the offspring of minotaurs and humans. The curse that creates minotaurs is unknown, but sages suspect it involves “crimes against the natural order”. Minotaurs are always male. Those transformed into minotaurs by curses may be restored to human form by a wish, but those who were born as minotaurs cannot be made human.

It is also said that the first minotaur was originally a great and ill-tempered human fighter; he wanted to be as strong as a bull and his wish was granted in the most hideous manner possible.

Minotaurs breed with human females to produce offspring, which are male minotaurs. Minotaurs have a lifespan of about 200 years, and reach maturity at around 20 years. Females give birth to one or two calves after a gestation period of nine months.

COMBAT

Minotaurs are formidable opponents in combat, using their horns, teeth, claws, and weapons to inflict damage. They are adept at charging their enemies, goring them with their horns and knocking them prone. They also have a remarkable ability to recall any path they have traveled, making them excellent navigators of mazes and dungeons. They fight recklessly, gaining advantage on their attacks but exposing themselves to danger. They prefer melee combat over ranged combat, and often use greataxes or warhammers as their weapons of choice.

Minotaurs are not particularly intelligent, but are extremely cunning and have excellent senses. They have infravision, and can track prey by scent with great accuracy. They always pursue an unfamiliar scent. Minotaurs are immune to maze spells. They attack any intruder without fear, and will retreat only if the creature is obviously beyond their ability to defeat.

HABITAT / SOCIETY

Minotaurs are usually found in temperate or subtropical climates, especially in underground environments. They often construct elaborate labyrinths to serve as their homes, traps, and hunting grounds. They are solitary or live in small clans, rarely forming large communities. They are chaotic evil in alignment, and value strength, violence, and domination over others. They have a deep hatred for elves, dwarves, and humans, whom they consider weak and inferior. They often raid nearby settlements for food, slaves, and treasure. They are loyal to Baphomet, who grants them his favor in exchange for sacrifices and bloodshed.

A minotaur’s labyrinth is rarely natural. Often an evil wizard or a tyrant will construct a labyrinth and place the minotaur family there, feeding it prisoners and slaves on a regular basis.

Occasionally this tyrant will be killed and the minotaurs forced to fend for themselves; since creatures rarely enter a labyrinth on their own accord, these minotaurs will usually be ravenously hungry.

Minotaurs live in communities of up to eight members. If the community contains more than six minotaurs, one will be an elder minotaur.

The minotaur elder is the clan leader; he remains in the center of the labyrinth and raises young minotaurs while others hunt. He is always encountered in the center of a labyrinth.

Minotaurs speak their own primitive language and are 25% likely to speak a halting form of common. They have little culture; their lives resemble animals more than humans.

Their culture venerates physical strength above all else and particularly strong human fighters have been known to earn their respect. They worship crude gods and have weak clerics.

Gnolls are their natural enemies; they will kill each other on sight.

ECOLOGY

Minotaurs are carnivorous creatures that feed on meat, preferably fresh and raw. They hunt for their food, either by stalking their prey or by luring them into their labyrinths. They have a high metabolism and require a lot of food to sustain themselves. They are also territorial and will defend their domains from intruders. Minotaurs can live without food for years at a time, but are always hungry unless they are fed regularly. They are meat-eaters, but their curse causes them to prefer a diet of human flesh.

Minotaur components are sometimes used in spells and potions, and might be used in magical items involving strength, location, and misdirection.