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War Ostrich

Large · Beast · CR 1/2 · Unaligned

Source. Tome of Beasts 1 (2023 Edition)

42 (5d10 + 15)

1/2

Ability Scores

Core attributes and their modifiers.

STR

DEX

CON

INT

-4

WIS

CHA

-3

Overview

Category Monsters

Size Large

Type Beast

Alignment Unaligned

XP 100

Initiative Bonus +1

Movement

Walk 60 ft (18.3 m)

Swim 30 ft (9.1 m)

Climb 30 ft (9.1 m)

Crawl 30 ft (9.1 m)

Senses

Passive Perception 10

Traits

Leaping Pounce

If the war ostrich jumps at least 15 feet straight toward a creature and then hits it with a Claw attack on the same turn, that target must succeed on a DC 13 Strength saving throw or be knocked prone. If the target is prone, the ostrich can make one Beak attack against it as a bonus action.

Standing Leap

The war ostrich’s long jump is up to 30 feet and its high jump is up to 15 feet, with or without a running start.

Actions

Beak

+4 to hit, reach 5 ft (1.5 m). Hit: 1d8+2 piercing damage.

Melee Weapon Attack: +4 to hit, reach 5 ft., one target. Hit: 6 (1d8 + 2) piercing damage.

Claw

+4 to hit, reach 5 ft (1.5 m). Hit: 2d4+2 bludgeoning damage.

Melee Weapon Attack: +4 to hit, reach 5 ft., one target. Hit: 7 (2d4 + 2) bludgeoning damage.

Intimidating Screech

The war ostrich screeches at a creature it can see within 30 feet of it. The target must succeed on a DC 13 Wisdom saving throw or have disadvantage on attack rolls until the end of its next turn, as the screech rattles it.

Bonus Actions

Skittish

The war ostrich takes the Dash or Disengage action.

About War Ostrich

War Ostrich is a large beast with a Challenge Rating of 1/2. It has a unaligned alignment.

In combat, this creature maintains an Armor Class of 11 and possesses 42 hit points (derived from 5d10 + 15).

GM Tips: Using War Ostrich

2 tips available

When using War Ostrich in your D&D 5e campaign, consider these tactical approaches:

Minion Strategy: Use as scouts or minions for larger threats
Group Tactics: Group 3-4 together to pose a moderate threat

Player Guide: Facing War Ostrich

2 strategies available

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

Easy Target: This creature is weak - focus on other threats
Group Threat: Multiple can be dangerous - use area attacks

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: 75 XP
Hard: 112 XP
Deadly: 150 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 War Ostrich?: War Ostrich has a Challenge Rating of 1/2, making it appropriate for parties of level 0.5.
What type of creature is War Ostrich?: War Ostrich is a Large Beast, which affects how certain spells and abilities interact with it.