Cheetah, Dire

Large beast, unaligned

Armor Class 16 (natural armor)
Hit Points 32 (5d10 + 5)
Speed 70 ft., climb 20 ft.

STR	DEX	CON	INT	WIS	CHA
17 (+3)	18 (+4)	13 (+1)	3 (-4)	14 (+2)	7 (-2)

Skills Perception +4, Stealth +8
Senses passive Perception 14
Languages –
Challenge 1 (200 XP)

SPECIAL TRAITS

• Keen Smell. The dire cheetah has advantage on Wisdom (Perception) checks that rely on smell.
• Stealthy. The dire cheetah doubles its proficiency bonus when making Stealth checks.
• Pounce. If the dire cheetah moves at least 20 feet straight toward a creature and then hits it with a claw attack on the same turn, the target must make a DC 13 Strength saving throw or be knocked prone. If the target is prone, the dire cheetah can make one bite attack against it as a bonus action.
• Running Leap. With a 10-foot running start, the dire cheetah’s long jump is up to 25 feet, and its high jump is up to 10 feet.

ACTIONS

• Bite. Melee Weapon Attack: +6 to hit, reach 5 ft., one creature. Hit: 8 (1d8 + 4) piercing damage.
• Claw. Melee Weapon Attack: +6 to hit, reach 5 ft., one target. Hit: 7 (1d6 + 4) slashing damage.

TACTICS

Initial Round-Springing from a hidden position or barreling down on its prey from an unseen angle, the dire cheetah is unrelentingly aggressive, hoping to knock prone anything in its path. If it manages to do so, it will savage the victim immediately.

Subsequent Rounds-If the dire cheetah fails to knock a target prone, it will continue to run and return with another charge. It resists coming to a stop if possible unless it has downed prey.

ABOUT

This large, sleek feline resembles its smaller cousin but with serrated claws and impressive fangs the size of long knives. The dire cheetah can obtain astounding ground speeds when chasing prey.

The dire cheetah combines the speed of its lesser cousin with the brutal force of a much more powerful creature. The claws are longer, sharper, and serrated. The body is sleek, speedy, and heavy enough to knock its prey prone. This leads many to attempt to create an ultimate hunting beast through breeding and training, but this has mixed results as the wild and unpredictable nature is nigh impossible to eradicate from the offspring.

d4	Dire Cheetah Treasure
1	+2 Arrows (d12)
2	Silver Spear (100 gp)
3	Slashed pouch with 40 gp 4 Necklace of agates and amethysts (25 gp)