Polar Bear
Large Beast · · CR 2
- Beast
- Large
- Tier 1
Polar Bear is a large beast of unaligned alignment, CR 2. Found in arctic and underground. Sourced from Monster Manual (5e 2014) and Monster Manual (5.5e 2024).
Stat Block
- Challenge Rating
- 2
- Type
- Beast
- Size
- Large
- Alignment
- —
- Speed
- —
- Habitats
- Arctic, Underground
- Sources
- Monster Manual (5e 2014), Monster Manual (5.5e 2024)
Ecology
Polar bears are apex predators of arctic coasts and floating ice, hunting seals, walrus, and beluga whales. They swim distances rivaling small cetaceans and den in snow caves to bear cubs in midwinter. Climate shifts force them inland during summer melts, where they raid villages and trapper camps. Their range overlaps with frost giants and white dragons, with whom they share an uneasy coexistence.
Behaviour
Solitary except for mothers with cubs, the polar bear is curious and patient. It can wait at a seal's breathing hole for hours, motionless. Encounters with humanoids are rare in true arctic but increasing as ice retreats; a polar bear that learns humans equal food will repeat-raid camps. Mothers are extraordinarily aggressive within scent-range of cubs.
Origin
In some settings, polar bears are awakened beasts serving frost druids or arctic spirits as living guardians. Werepolar-bear lycanthropes (called polar were-bears) are rare but legendary among barbarian clans. The skin of an ancient polar bear, taken honorably, is a potent shamanic artifact granting cold resistance. A few myths hold the first polar bear was a giant cursed for greed and frozen into beast-form.
Related Monsters
Frequently Asked Questions about Polar Bear
- What is the challenge rating of Polar Bear?
- Listed CR for Polar Bear: 2. Match it to a party that suits an early or mid tier-1 group.
- What type of creature is Polar Bear?
- Polar Bear is classified as a beast in D&D 5e, large size.
- Where does Polar Bear live?
- The bestiary places Polar Bear in Arctic, Underground.