- Edit 9/9/2018 – Reduced challenge rating to 7.
Another quick monster I needed today: a werebear ogre. Although ogres can’t technically turn into lycanthropes (RAW says humanoids only), I’m doing it anyway. So there.
Claw and bite attacks scale weird in D&D. They get a bump going from Small to Medium to Large, but mostlyplateau after that point. In fact, beyond wyrmling, all dragons have the exact same claw attacks: 2d6. Even ancient ones! The only thing that changes is the Strength mods.
For this guys’ stats, I lined him up with an abominable yeti. He got a bump in Wisdom and Charisma, too, which are mostly just window-dressing since Ogres don’t really use those skills other than for Perception, which werebears are exceptional at.
Challenge rating was tough as hell to calculate due to the large variance in hit points (with its DRs, he’s effectively got 300+ hit points), but a low Armor Class (dragging him down three ranks), lousy damage output (way down in the CR 4 – 5 area due to scaling issues) but great attack bonus (throwing him up a couple ranks). Knowing my players, they’ll deal with him quickly, so I thought a 9 felt appropriate. Plus, that was the lowest CR I needed to give him +4 prof bonuses.
Finally, I decided to give him a little edge, he’ll stick mostly to his hybrid form and use a size-appropriate weapon for it: a Huge greatclub.
Ogre Werebear
Large giant (shapechanger), chaotic evil
Armor Class 9 in ogre form, 10 (natural armor) in bear and hybrid form
Hit Points 207 (18d10 + 108)
Speed 40 ft. (40 ft., climb 30 ft. in bear or hybrid form)
Abilities Str 23 (+6), Dex 9 (-1), Con 22 (+6), Int 5 (-3), Wis 9 (-1), Cha 9 (-1)
Skills Perception +7
Damage Immunities bludgeoning, piercing, and slashing from nonmagical attacks not made with silvered weapons
Senses passive Perception 17
Languages Common, Giant (can’t speak in bear form)
Challenge CR 7 (2,900 XP)
Shapechanger. The werebear can use its action to polymorph into a Huge bear-ogre hybrid or into a Huge bear, or back into its true form, which is an ogre. Its statistics, other than its size and AC, are the same in each form. Any equipment it is wearing or carrying isn’t transformed. It reverts to its true form if it dies.
Keen Smell. The werebear has advantage on Wisdom (Perception) checks that rely on smell.
Actions
Multiattack. In bear form, the werebear makes two claw attacks. In hybrid form, it makes two greatclub attacks. In hybrid form, it can attack like a bear or an ogre.
Bite (Bear or Hybrid Form Only). Melee Weapon Attack: +10 to hit, reach 5 ft., one target. Hit: 17 (2d10 + 6) piercing damage. If the target is a humanoid, it must succeed on a DC 16 Constitution saving throw or be cursed with werebear lycanthropy.
Claw (Bear or Hybrid Form Only). Melee Weapon Attack: +10 to hit, reach 5 ft., one target. Hit: 15 (2d8 + 6) slashing damage.
Greatclub. Melee Weapon Attack: +10 to hit, reach 5 ft., one target. Hit: 19 (3d8 + 6) bludgeoning damage.
Thanks for reading!
Another fun one for you to use today. Free to use, just not commercially. And the art isn’t mine, borrowed!
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