Owlbear: Difference between revisions

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'''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]] has left it notably weakened.

If approaching the nest, the Owlbear will confront the party. Depending on if they have {{SAI|Speak with Animals} active or not, the following options will allow to retreat:

Any other check or response will result in the owlbear attacking.

==Combat==

While the '''Owlbear''' cannot make [[Critical Hit|Critical Hits]] because of its recent injury, it is still a powerful and dangerous creature. Many of its abilities focus on knocking others [[Prone (Condition)|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 will trigger, increasing its damage further with both increased [[Strength]] and [[Multiattack]]. It will also have the support of the [[Owlbear Cub]], though it is a weak and often ignorable combatant. It is best to ignore the cub if planning to recruit it later on for the [[Campsite|Camp]]. However, it attempts to flee if badly hurt.

The Owlbear's injury imposes [[Disadvantage]] on [[Perception]] checks which results in a -5 penalty to [[Perception#Passive Perception|passive Perception]] used to detect [[Hide|hidden]] creatures. However, this does {{em|not}} actually make it easier to sneak up on because it has an unlisted +5 bonus to Perception which completely counteracts this penalty. A more direct approach can use [[Andrick]] and [[Brynna]] to help in the fight if convinced, who, acting as soft targets, can be useful distractions and support. Spells, items or weapon abilities that require a [[Dexterity]] [[Saving Throw]] like [[Grease]], [[Grease Bottle]] or [[Topple (Weapon Action)|Topple]] are quite effective in slowing it down. 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 very helpful for pre-fight positioning and can let party prepare an ambush from stealth.

In Honor Mode, {{Cond|Silenced|Silencing}} or {{Cond|Incapacitated|Incapacitating}} the Owl Bear prevents it from using its legendary action.

 

; Convincing the Owlbear to retreat and let you go:

 

; Attacking or starting combat:

As long as Animal Handling is not used, the [[Outlander]] inspiration Mother's Fury can be gained by making the owlbear let the adventurers leave peacefully or possibly by killing it.

* The '''Owlbear''' found in the [[Owlbear Nest]] is already damaged by 8 points when it is encountered. This particular Owlbear also has the {{cond|Distressed}} condition.

* The '''Owlbear''' found in the [[Owlbear Nest]] will have been 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.

* There is a stalactite over the [[Owlbear|Owlbear mother]] which is interactive but does not function.