Owlbear 5e
An owlbear is a Large monstrosity of challenge rating 3 (700 XP) with AC 13, 59 hit points and 40-foot walk and climb speeds in the 2024 rules. It attacks twice per turn with Rend, +7 to hit for 14 (2d8 + 5) slashing damage each, so a full turn averages 28 damage.
Press a button to roll for the owlbear.
Owlbear stat block
Large Monstrosity, Unaligned
| Armor Class | 13 |
| Hit Points | 59 (7d10 + 21) |
| Speed | 40 ft., Climb 40 ft. |
| Challenge | 3 (700 XP; proficiency bonus +2) |
| STR | DEX | CON | INT | WIS | CHA |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 20 (+5) | 12 (+1) | 17 (+3) | 3 (−4) | 12 (+1) | 7 (−2) |
- Saves and skills: Perception +5
- Senses: Darkvision 60 ft., Passive Perception 15
- Languages: None
Actions
Multiattack. The owlbear makes two Rend attacks.
Rend. Melee Attack Roll: +7, reach 5 ft. Hit: 14 (2d8 + 5) Slashing damage.
How to run the owlbear
Simple and brutal: The owlbear has no tricks, and that's fine. It runs at the nearest threat and rends twice. At +7 it hits AC 16 60% of the time, which averages about 17 damage per turn even with misses, and both hits for 28 will drop most 2nd- or 3rd-level characters in one round. It is a classic early boss for a reason.
Attack from above: The 2024 owlbear gained a 40-foot climb speed. Put it in the branches over a forest trail and let it drop onto whoever walks underneath. With Perception +5 (passive 15) it usually spots the party before they spot it.
Running it fairly: Use the encounter calculator; one owlbear is a hard fight for four level 2 characters. It's an animal with Intelligence 3, so it fights until hurt and then flees to its den rather than dying for nothing. Players can win without killing it: fire, noise, or food thrown aside may buy time. Roll Rend with the d8 roller, two dice plus 5.
Owlbear: 2014 vs 2024
| 2014 Monster Manual | 2024 Monster Manual / SRD 5.2 | |
|---|---|---|
| Speed | 40 ft. | 40 ft., climb 40 ft. |
| Attacks | Beak 10 (1d10 + 5) piercing and Claws 14 (2d8 + 5) slashing | Two Rend attacks, 14 (2d8 + 5) slashing each |
| Perception | +3, Keen Sight and Smell | +5, no Keen Sight and Smell |
Owlbear FAQ
What CR is an owlbear in 5e?
An owlbear is challenge rating 3, worth 700 XP, in both the 2014 and 2024 rules.
How much damage does an owlbear do?
In the 2024 rules it makes two Rend attacks at +7, each dealing 14 (2d8 + 5) slashing, for 28 a turn. In 2014 it used a beak for 10 and claws for 14, 24 in total.
Can an owlbear climb trees?
In the 2024 rules, yes; it has a 40-foot climb speed. The 2014 owlbear had only a 40-foot walking speed.
Can a druid Wild Shape into an owlbear?
No. An owlbear is a monstrosity, not a beast, and Wild Shape only allows beast forms.
Related
- Brown Bear 5e
- Dire Wolf 5e
- Roll a d8
- All D&D monsters
Monsters of similar challenge
- Death Dog (CR 1)
- Giant Vulture (CR 1)
- Harpy (CR 1)
- Hippogriff (CR 1)
- Ankheg (CR 2)
- Ettercap (CR 2)
- Griffon (CR 2)
- Merrow (CR 2)
- Mimic (CR 2)
- Wererat, Human Form (CR 2)
- Wererat, Hybrid Form (CR 2)
- Wererat, Rat Form (CR 2)
Rules are summarised in our own words; monster stat blocks are reproduced from the SRD. This work includes material from the System Reference Document 5.2 ("SRD 5.2") by Wizards of the Coast LLC, available at dndbeyond.com/srd. The SRD 5.2 is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License. Card icons by Lorc and Delapouite from game-icons.net, licensed under CC BY 3.0.
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Contains content from the System Reference Document 5.1 and 5.2 by Wizards of the Coast LLC, used under the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.