Creature Reference Back to Creatures

Giant Owl

Large · Celestial · CR 1/4 · Neutral

Source. 5e 2024 Rules

12 (natural armor)

19 (3d10 + 3)

1/4

Ability Scores

Core attributes and their modifiers.

STR

DEX

CON

INT

WIS

CHA

Overview

Category Animals

Size Large

Type Celestial

Alignment Neutral

XP 50

Initiative Bonus +2

Movement

Walk 5 ft (1.5 m)

Fly 60 ft (18.3 m)

Swim 2 ft (0.6 m)

Climb 2 ft (0.6 m)

Crawl 2 ft (0.6 m)

Senses

Darkvision 120 ft (36.6 m)

Passive Perception 16

Saving Throws

Strength +1 Dexterity +2 Constitution +1 Intelligence +0 Wisdom +4 Charisma +0

Skills

Perception +6 Stealth +6

Languages

Celestial; understands Common, Elvish, And Sylvan but can't speak them

Resistances & Immunities

Damage Resistances

necrotic, radiant

Traits

Flyby

The owl doesn't provoke an Opportunity Attack when it flies out of an enemy's reach.

Actions

Spellcasting

Cost 1

The owl casts one of the following spells, requiring no spell components and using Wisdom as the spellcasting ability:

At Will: Detect Evil and Good, Detect Magic
1/Day Each: Clairvoyance

Talons

Cost 1

+4 to hit, reach 5 ft (1.5 m). Hit: 1d10+2 slashing damage.

Melee Attack Roll: +4, reach 5 ft. 7 (1d10 + 2) Slashing damage.

About Giant Owl

Giant Owl is a large celestial with a Challenge Rating of 1/4. It has a neutral alignment.

In combat, this creature maintains an Armor Class of 12 and possesses 19 hit points (derived from 3d10 + 3).

Giant Owl has communication capabilities including Celestial; understands Common, Elvish, And Sylvan but can't speak them. This allows it to interact verbally with various creatures and characters.

GM Tips: Using Giant Owl

1 tips available

When using Giant Owl in your D&D 5e campaign, consider these tactical approaches:

Flight Control Strategy: Target flying creatures with spells like 'Hold Person', 'Web', or 'Grease' to ground them. Without flight restriction, they can escape melee range easily. Consider area denial spells below their flight altitude to force them into disadvantageous positions.

Player Guide: Facing Giant Owl

1 strategies available

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

Counter Flight Advantage: This creature can fly! Use ranged attacks, reach weapons, or spells like 'Thunderwave' to push it away. Consider 'Gust of Wind' or 'Earthbind' to ground it. Melee characters need fly speed or flight magic to engage.

Encounter Building Calculator

Standard Party Encounter (4-5 characters):

This creature is a medium encounter for a party of 4 characters of level 1.

Solo Encounter:

A single character of level 2 (up to level 20) can face this creature in a medium to hard encounter.

Experience Point Thresholds:

Medium: 31 XP
Hard: 46 XP
Deadly: 62 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 Giant Owl?: Giant Owl has a Challenge Rating of 1/4, making it appropriate for parties of level 0.25.
What type of creature is Giant Owl?: Giant Owl is a Large Celestial, which affects how certain spells and abilities interact with it.
What languages does Giant Owl speak?: Giant Owl can communicate in Celestial; understands Common, Elvish, And Sylvan but can't speak them.