Lion, Dire

Family: Animal

Large beast, unaligned

Armor Class 14 (natural armor)
Hit Points 60 (8d10 + 16)
Speed 30 ft.

STR	DEX	CON	INT	WIS	CHA
17 (+3)	15 (+2)	14 (+2)	3 (-4)	12 (+1)	8 (-1)

Skills Perception +3, Stealth +6
Senses passive Perception 13
Languages –
Challenge 1 (200 XP)

Special Traits

• Keen Smell. The lion has advantage on Wisdom (Perception) checks that rely on smell.
• Pack Tactics. The lion has advantage on an attack roll against a creature if at least one of the lion’s allies is within 5 feet of the creature and the ally isn’t incapacitated.
• Pounce. If the lion moves at least 20 feet straight toward a creature and then hits it with a claw attack on the same turn, that target must succeed on a DC 14 Strength saving throw or be forced prone. If the target is prone, the lion can make one bite attack against it as a bonus action.
• Running Leap. With a 10-foot running start, the lion can long jump up to 25 feet.

Actions

• Bite. Melee Weapon Attack: +5 to hit, reach 5 ft., one target. Hit: 7 (1d8 + 3) piercing damage.
• Claw. Melee Weapon Attack: +5 to hit, reach 5 ft., one target. Hit: 6 (1d6 + 3) slashing damage.

About

Dire lions, known locally as spotted lions or cave lions, are immense predators that can grow up to 15 feet long and weigh up to 3,500 pounds. Although they are merely animals, these large creatures seem to take an almost sadistic glee in playing with and tormenting their prey before eventually devouring it. As a result, many tribes view dire lions as the spawn of evil gods, and hunt them down as soon as their presence in a region becomes obvious.