Owlbear
Large Monstrosity · · CR 3
- Monstrosity
- Large
- Tier 1
As a large monstrosity (unaligned), Owlbear carries CR 3. Common in forest environments. Sourced from Monster Manual (5e 2014) and Monster Manual (5.5e 2024).
Stat Block
- Challenge Rating
- 3
- Type
- Monstrosity
- Size
- Large
- Alignment
- —
- Speed
- —
- Habitats
- Forest
- Sources
- Monster Manual (5e 2014), Monster Manual (5.5e 2024), Flee, Mortals!
Ecology
An apex predator of temperate forests — 8 feet tall, weighing roughly a ton. Solitary except mating season and when raising cubs (1–2 cubs per year). Eats anything from deer to wagons, defends a 20-square-mile territory, and digs out cave-dens. Travelers describe finding owlbear droppings full of armor scraps and shattered weapons.
Behaviour
Aggressive, persistent, and dumb. Owlbears do not flee unless mortally wounded. They will follow a fleeing prey for hours. They cannot be tamed reliably — even druids consider the owlbear 'a creature you respect from distance, not befriend.' Mated pairs hunt together, dragging prey back to the den for cubs.
Origin
Origin debated in canon. The most-told myth: a wizard fused a giant owl and a cave bear, and was eaten by his own creation. Some scholars argue owlbears are a natural fey creation — a forest spirit's joke that escaped into the world. The species breeds true, suggesting they're genuinely viable rather than purely magical.
Related Monsters
Frequently Asked Questions about Owlbear
- What is the challenge rating of Owlbear?
- Owlbear is rated CR 3. The rating suits an early or mid tier-1 group.
- What type of creature is Owlbear?
- Owlbear is classified as a monstrosity in D&D 5e, large size.
- Where does Owlbear live?
- You'll find Owlbear in Forest according to the bestiary entry.