Owlbear

See also: Owlbear (wild shape)

Owlbears are a type of beast creature found in the Owlbear Nest in Act One as an optional boss fight. Resembling large feathered bears with the head of an owl, they are quick to anger, very strong and seemingly have voracious appetites. While highly territorial, the owlbear mother's recent injury from the Cult of the Absolute has left her notably weakened.

Involvement

Act One

If party members approach the nest, the owlbear mother confronts them. Depending on whether  Speak with Animals is active, the following options allow the party to avoid a fight:

Without Speak with Animals

• [ANIMAL HANDLING] Study the owlbear's behaviour. (DC 15)
  • Hold out your palms - you mean no harm.
  • Back away slowly.
• [SURVIVAL] Back away. (DC 15)
• [PERFORMANCE] Puff out your chest and roar. (DC 15)  +1 +1 -1
• [BARBARIAN] [PERFORMANCE] ROAR. (DC 15 )

With Speak with Animals

• You're injured - there's still half a spear lodged in your head.
• [ONE-EYED] [WYLL] That eye - or lack of it - must have you in a lot of pain. I should know.
• Move closer.
  • [INTIMIDATION] Let me go, or you'll watch your cub die before I finish you. (DC 10)
  • [PERSUASION] Just allow me to leave. I'm no threat to you or your cub. (DC 10)
  • [BARBARIAN] [INTIMIDATION] Come, then. Once I've plucked you, I'll have your cub for dessert. (DC 10 )
  • [BERSERKER] [INTIMIDATION] COME - FIGHT! (DC 10 )
  • [DRUID] [PERSUASION] You need rest - let nature heal you. This is no time for a fight. (DC 5)
  • [RANGER] [PERSUASION] I would never intrude on your nest knowingly. This was a simple mistake. (DC 5)

Any other check or response results in the owlbear mother attacking.

Successfully defeating the owlbear mother or convincing her to stand down grants the ⁠A Mother's Fury inspiration to party members with the  Outlander background.

Companion approval

Convincing the owlbear mother to retreat and let the party go:

 +1  -1  +1  +1

Attacking or starting combat:

 +1  -1  -1

Combat

Attacks and abilities

 A Mother's Desperation

Increase Strength by 2 and gain the ability to perform  Multiattacks.

Gain resistance to all physical damage^Tactician.

 Recharge: Once per combat

 Claws ()

Damage: 7~21

2d8 + 5⁠Slashing

Lash out with deadly claws and push the target back 1.5 m / 5 ft.

 Melee: 1.5 m / 5 ft

 Crushing Flight ( + )

Leap at a target to bite it and knock it  Prone.

 STR Save

 Range: 21 m / 70 ft

 Recharge: Per turn

 Multiattack ()

Damage: 13~36

2d8 + 5⁠Slashing

+ 1d10 + 5⁠Piercing

Aim multiple attacks at a target. If the second attack hits, the target is pushed back 1.5 m / 5 ft and knocked  Prone.

 STR Save

 Melee: 1.5 m / 5 ft

 Recharge: Per turn

Honour Mode

 Call Consort

Summon your mate to protect you in battle.

 Range: Self

 Legendary Action: Call Consort

Once per combat, the Owlbear mother can spend a Legendary Action to  summon her mate when she is attacked.

Tactics

While the owlbear mother is already damaged by 8 points and cannot make Critical Hits because of her recent injury, she is still a powerful and dangerous creature. She also has the  Distressed condition.

Many of her abilities knock others Prone, such as Crushing Flight, allowing her to attack with Advantage on successive hits against her prone victim. When taken to half health, her rage ability triggers, increasing her damage with improved Strength and Multiattack. She also has the support of her Owlbear Cub, though he is weak and may be ignored. It is best to ignore her cub if planning to recruit him for the Camp. However, he attempts to flee if badly hurt.

The owlbear mother's injury imposes Disadvantage on Perception checks which should cause a -5 penalty to Passive Perception to detect hidden creatures. However, it is offset by an unlisted +5 bonus to Perception which counteracts this penalty. Alternatively,  Andrick and  Brynna can be convinced to help in the fight. They can act as useful distractions and support. Spells, items or weapon abilities that require a Dexterity Saving Throw like  Grease,  Grease Bottle or  Topple are effective in slowing the owlbear. When the owlbear mother is enraged, it is best to finish the fight quickly before her multiattack shreds through the group.

Convincing the owlbear mother not to attack outright is helpful for pre-combat positioning and allows the party to prepare a stealth ambush.

There are two Fissured Stalactites attached to the rock overhangs just above the mother and cub. They can be shot with ranged weapons and will damage whatever is beneath them on the cave floor for 6d4+4 Piercing damage. If the owlbear mother is hit with one, she realizes who triggered its fall and attacks the party.

In Honour mode,  Silencing or  Incapacitating the owlbear mother prevents her from using her legendary action.

Loot

•  Head of a Broken Spear

Gallery

• 
  Owlbear
• 
  Render by Bert Vanhengel

Notes

• The owlbear mother in the Owlbear Nest is killed by goblins after a Long Rest after entering the cave.
• In the 5th edition of Dungeons and Dragons, an owlbear is classified as a Monstrosity, not a Beast. Owlbears being classified as Beasts in Baldur's Gate 3 is more in line with 3rd and 4th edition, although the owlbears get their in-game physical appearance from 5th edition.

External links

⁠Owlbear on the Forgotten Realms Wiki