Owlbear

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, extremely strong and seemingly constantly hungry. While highly territorial, its recent injury from the Cult of the Absolute left it notably weakened.

Involvement

Act One

If approaching the nest, the owlbear confronts the party. Depending on whether  Speak with Animals is active, the following options allow for retreat:

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)
• [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 attacking.

Combat

Attacks and abilities

 A Mother's Desperation

Increase Strength by 3, while  Armour Class is reduced by 1.

 Claws ()

2d8 (2~16) + Strength modifier Slashing

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

 Melee: 1.5 m / 5  ft

 Crushing Flight ()

2d8 (2~16) Bludgeoning

Leap at a target to bite it and knock it  Prone

STR Save

 Range: 21 m / 70 ft

 Multiattack ()

2d8 (2~16) + Strength modifier Slashing

+

1d10 (1~10) + Strength modifier Piercing

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

 Melee: 1.5 m / 5  ft

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 cannot make Critical Hits because of its recent injury, it is still a powerful and dangerous creature. Many of its abilities knock others Prone, such as Crushing Flight, allowing it to attack with Advantage on successive hits against its prone victim. When taken to half health, its rage ability triggers, increasing its damage by increasing its Strength and Multiattack. It also has the support of the Owlbear Cub, though it is weak and can often be ignored. It is best to ignore the cub if planning to recruit it for the Camp. However, it attempts to flee if badly hurt.

The owlbear's injury imposes Disadvantage on Perception checks which causes a -5 penalty to Passive Perception to detect hidden creatures. However, this does not make it easier to sneak up on it because it has an unlisted +5 bonus to Perception that 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 it is enraged, it is best to finish the fight quickly before its multiattack shreds through the group.

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

In Honor Mode,  Silencing or  Incapacitating the owlbear prevents it from using its legendary action.

Notable loot

• Head of a Broken Spear

Companion approval

Convincing the owlbear to retreat and let you go:

 +1  -1  +1  +1

Attacking or starting combat:

 +1  -1  -1

As long as Animal Handling is not used, the inspiration Mother's Fury is granted for outlanders if the owlbear allows the party to leave peacefully.

Gallery

• 

  Owlbear

• 

  Render by Bert Vanhengel

Notes

• The owlbear in the Owlbear Nest is already damaged by 8 points when encountered. This particular Owlbear also has the  Distressed condition.
• The owlbear in the Owlbear Nest will be killed by goblins after a Long Rest after entering the cave.
• In the fifth edition of Dungeons and Dragons, an owlbear is classed as a Monstrosity, not a Beast. The owlbear being classified as it currently is in Baldur's Gate 3 is more in line to previous editions, such as fourth and third.

Bugs

• A stalactite hangs over the owlbear mother, which is interactive but does not function.

External links

Owlbear on the Forgotten Realms Wiki