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Cave Bear

Large · Beast · CR 2 · Chaotic Evil

Source. Monstrous Menagerie

42 (5d10+15)

Ability Scores

Core attributes and their modifiers.

STR

DEX

CON

INT

-4

WIS

CHA

-3

Overview

Category Monsters

Size Large

Type Beast

Alignment Chaotic Evil

XP 450

Initiative Bonus +0

Movement

Walk 40 ft (12.2 m)

Swim 20 ft (6.1 m)

Climb 20 ft (6.1 m)

Crawl 20 ft (6.1 m)

Senses

Passive Perception 13

Skills

Perception +3

Traits

Keen Smell

The bear has advantage on Perception checks that rely on smell.

Actions

Bite

+7 to hit, reach 5 ft (1.5 m). Hit: 1d8+5 piercing damage.

Melee Weapon Attack: +7 to hit, reach 5 ft., one target. Hit: 9 (1d8+5) piercing damage.

Claws

+7 to hit, reach 5 ft (1.5 m). Hit: 1d4+5 slashing damage.

Melee Weapon Attack: +7 to hit, reach 5 ft., one target. Hit: 7 (1d4+5) slashing damage. If the target is a Medium or smaller creature it is grappled (escape DC 15). Until this grapple ends the bear can't attack a different target with its claws.

Multiattack

The bear makes two melee attacks.

About Cave Bear

Cave Bear is a large beast with a Challenge Rating of 2. It has a chaotic evil alignment.

In combat, this creature maintains an Armor Class of 12 and possesses 42 hit points (derived from 5d10+15).

GM Tips: Using Cave Bear

2 tips available

When using Cave Bear in your D&D 5e campaign, consider these tactical approaches:

Mid-level Encounter: Ideal for parties levels 3-8 as solo or small groups
Terrain Advantage: Use terrain to offset moderate combat abilities

Player Guide: Facing Cave Bear

2 strategies available

When your party encounters this creature, keep these strategies in mind:

Moderate Threat: Prepare standard combat tactics
Tactical Advantage: Use terrain and positioning

Encounter Building Calculator

Standard Party Encounter (4-5 characters):

This creature is a medium encounter for a party of 4 characters of level 2.

Solo Encounter:

A single character of level 4 (up to level 20) can face this creature in a medium to hard encounter.

Experience Point Thresholds:

Medium: 600 XP
Hard: 900 XP
Deadly: 1,200 XP

Based on D&D 5e Dungeon Master's Guide encounter building guidelines. CR roughly equals party level for medium encounters.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the challenge rating of Cave Bear?: Cave Bear has a Challenge Rating of 2, making it appropriate for parties of level 2.0.
What type of creature is Cave Bear?: Cave Bear is a Large Beast, which affects how certain spells and abilities interact with it.