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Owlbear: Difference between revisions
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While the '''Owlbear''' can not make [[Critical Hit|Critical Hits]] because of its recent injury, it is still a powerful and dangerous creature. Many of its abilities focus on knocking others [[Prone (Condition)|Prone]], such as Crushing Flight, allowing it to attack with [[Advantage]] on successive hits against its prone victim. When taken to half health, its rage ability will trigger, increasing its damage further with both increased [[Strength]] and [[Multiattack]]. It will also have the support of the [[Owlbear Cub]], though it is a weak and often ignorable combatant. It's best to ignore the cub if you plan to recruit it later on for your [[Campsite|Camp]], but it will attempt to flee if badly hurt. | While the '''Owlbear''' can not make [[Critical Hit|Critical Hits]] because of its recent injury, it is still a powerful and dangerous creature. Many of its abilities focus on knocking others [[Prone (Condition)|Prone]], such as Crushing Flight, allowing it to attack with [[Advantage]] on successive hits against its prone victim. When taken to half health, its rage ability will trigger, increasing its damage further with both increased [[Strength]] and [[Multiattack]]. It will also have the support of the [[Owlbear Cub]], though it is a weak and often ignorable combatant. It's best to ignore the cub if you plan to recruit it later on for your [[Campsite|Camp]], but it will attempt to flee if badly hurt. | ||
The Owlbear's injury imposes [[Disadvantage]] on [[Perception]] checks which results in a -5 penalty to [[Perception#Passive Perception|passive Perception]] used to detect [[Hide|hidden]] creatures. However, this does {{em|not}} actually make it easier to sneak up on because it has an unlisted +5 bonus to Perception which completely counteracts this penalty. A more direct approach can use [[Andrick]] and [[Brynna]] to help in the fight if convinced, who, acting as soft targets, can be useful distractions and support. Spells, items or weapon abilities that require a [[Dexterity]] [[Saving Throw]] like [[Grease]], [[Grease Bottle]] or [[Topple (Weapon Action)|Topple]] are quite effective in slowing it down. When it is enraged, it is best to finish the fight quickly before its multiattack shreds through the group. | |||
Convincing the owlbear not to attack outright, as outlined below, is very helpful for pre-fight positioning and can let you spring an ambush from stealth. | Convincing the owlbear not to attack outright, as outlined below, is very helpful for pre-fight positioning and can let you spring an ambush from stealth. | ||
Latest revision as of 05:37, 11 November 2024
Involvement[edit | edit source]
If the party approaches the nest, the Owlbear will confront them, depending on if they have Speak with Animals active or not. The following options will allow you to retreat:
Without Speak with Animals[edit | edit source]
- [ANIMAL HANDLING] Study the owlbear's behaviour. (DC 15)
- Hold out your palms - you mean no harm.
- Back away slowly.
- [SURVIVAL] Back away. (DC 15)
- [PERFORMANCE] Puff out your chest and roar. (DC 15)
- [BARBARIAN] [PERFORMANCE] ROAR. (DC 15
)
With Speak with Animals[edit | edit source]
- You're injured - there's still half a spear lodged in your head.
- [ONE-EYED] [WYLL] That eye - or lack of it - must have you in a lot of pain. I should know.
- Move closer.
- [INTIMIDATION] Let me go, or you'll watch your cub die before I finish you. (DC 10)
- [PERSUASION] Just allow me to leave. I'm no threat to you or your cub. (DC 10)
- [BARBARIAN] [INTIMIDATION] Come, then. Once I've plucked you, I'll have your cub for dessert. (DC 10 )
- [BERSERKER] [INTIMIDATION] COME - FIGHT! (DC 10 )
- [DRUID] [PERSUASION] You need rest - let nature heal you. This is no time for a fight. (DC 5)
- [RANGER] [PERSUASION] I would never intrude on your nest knowingly. This was a simple mistake. (DC 5)
Any other check or response will result in the owlbear attacking.
Combat[edit | edit source]
Attacks and abilities[edit | edit source]
1.5 m / 5 ft.
Melee: 1.5 m / 5 ft 
Honour Mode[edit | edit source]
Tactics[edit | edit source]
While the Owlbear can not make Critical Hits because of its recent injury, it is still a powerful and dangerous creature. Many of its abilities focus on knocking others Prone, such as Crushing Flight, allowing it to attack with Advantage on successive hits against its prone victim. When taken to half health, its rage ability will trigger, increasing its damage further with both increased Strength and Multiattack. It will also have the support of the Owlbear Cub, though it is a weak and often ignorable combatant. It's best to ignore the cub if you plan to recruit it later on for your Camp, but it will attempt to flee if badly hurt.
The Owlbear's injury imposes Disadvantage on Perception checks which results in a -5 penalty to passive Perception used to detect hidden creatures. However, this does not actually make it easier to sneak up on because it has an unlisted +5 bonus to Perception which completely counteracts this penalty. A more direct approach can use Andrick and Brynna to help in the fight if convinced, who, acting as soft targets, can be useful distractions and support. Spells, items or weapon abilities that require a Dexterity Saving Throw like Grease, Grease Bottle or Topple are quite effective in slowing it down. When it is enraged, it is best to finish the fight quickly before its multiattack shreds through the group.
Convincing the owlbear not to attack outright, as outlined below, is very helpful for pre-fight positioning and can let you spring an ambush from stealth.
In Honor Mode, 
or 
the Owl Bear prevents it from using its legendary action.
Notable loot[edit | edit source]
Companion approval[edit | edit source]
- Convincing the Owlbear to retreat and let you go
+1 
-1 
+1 
+1
- Attacking or starting combat
- +1 -1 -1
As long as Animal Handling is not used, the Outlander inspiration Mother's Fury can be gained by making the owlbear let the adventurers leave peacefully or possibly by killing it.
Notes[edit | edit source]
- The Owlbear found in the Owlbear Nest is already damaged by 8 points when it is encountered. This particular Owlbear also has the
condition. - The Owlbear found in the Owlbear Nest will be killed by goblins after a Long Rest if you enter the cave but don't resolve it yourself.
- In the fifth edition of Dungeons and Dragons, an Owlbear is classed as a Monstrosity, not a Beast. The Owlbear being classified as it currently is in Baldur's Gate 3 is more in line to previous editions, such as fourth and third.
Bugs[edit | edit source]
- There is a stalactite over the Owlbear mother which is interactive but does not function.
Gallery[edit | edit source]
Owlbear
Render by Bert Vanhengel
External links[edit | edit source]
Owlbear on the Forgotten Realms Wiki