Creature Reference Back to Creatures

Giant Owl

Large · Beast · CR 1/4 · Neutral

Source. 5e 2014 Rules

19 (3d10+3)

1/4

Ability Scores

Core attributes and their modifiers.

STR

DEX

CON

INT

-1

WIS

CHA

Overview

Category Monsters

Size Large

Type Beast

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 15

Skills

Perception +5 Stealth +4

Languages

Giant Owl, understands Common, Elvish, and Sylvan but can't speak

Environments

Arctic or Tundra Forest or Jungle Hills Feywild

Traits

Flyby

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

Keen Hearing and Sight

The owl has advantage on Wisdom (Perception) checks that rely on hearing or sight.

Actions

Talons

Cost 1

+3 to hit, reach 5 ft (1.5 m). Hit: 2d6 thunder damage.

Melee Weapon Attack: +3 to hit, reach 5 ft., one target. Hit: 8 (2d6 + 1) slashing damage.

About Giant Owl

Giant Owl is a large beast 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 Giant Owl, understands Common, Elvish, and Sylvan but can't speak. 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 Beast, which affects how certain spells and abilities interact with it.
What languages does Giant Owl speak?: Giant Owl can communicate in Giant Owl, understands Common, Elvish, and Sylvan but can't speak.