Creature Reference Back to Creatures

Owlbear

Large · Monstrosity · CR 3 · Unaligned

Source. 5e 2014 Rules

13 (natural armor)

59 (7d10+21)

Ability Scores

Core attributes and their modifiers.

STR

DEX

CON

INT

-4

WIS

CHA

-2

Overview

Category Monsters

Size Large

Type Monstrosity

Alignment Unaligned

XP 700

Initiative Bonus +1

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

Darkvision 60 ft (18.3 m)

Passive Perception 13

Skills

Perception +3

Environments

Forest or Jungle Hills Mountain Feywild

Traits

Keen Sight and Smell

The owlbear has advantage on Wisdom (Perception) checks that rely on sight or smell.

Actions

Beak

Cost 1

+7 to hit, reach 5 ft (1.5 m). Hit: 1d10 thunder damage.

Melee Weapon Attack: +7 to hit, reach 5 ft., one creature. Hit: 10 (1d10 + 5) piercing damage.

Claws

Cost 1

+7 to hit, reach 5 ft (1.5 m). Hit: 2d8 thunder damage.

Melee Weapon Attack: +7 to hit, reach 5 ft., one target. Hit: 14 (2d8 + 5) slashing damage.

Multiattack

Cost 1

The owlbear makes two attacks: one with its beak and one with its claws.

About Owlbear

Owlbear is a large monstrosity with a Challenge Rating of 3. It has a unaligned alignment.

In combat, this creature maintains an Armor Class of 13 and possesses 59 hit points (derived from 7d10+21).

GM Tips: Using Owlbear

2 tips available

When using Owlbear 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 Owlbear

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 3.

Solo Encounter:

A single character of level 5 (up to level 20) can face this creature in a medium to hard encounter.

Experience Point Thresholds:

Medium: 1,200 XP
Hard: 1,800 XP
Deadly: 2,400 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 Owlbear?: Owlbear has a Challenge Rating of 3, making it appropriate for parties of level 3.0.
What type of creature is Owlbear?: Owlbear is a Large Monstrosity, which affects how certain spells and abilities interact with it.