A Huge or smaller beast can become a dire creature. It keeps its statistics except as follows.

Size. The dire creature’s size increases by one size category.

Natural Armor. The dire creature gains natural armor, giving it an AC equal to 12 plus its Dexterity modifier. If the creature already has natural armor, its base AC increases by 1.

Hit Dice. The dire creature gains 4 hit dice.

Ability Score Increase. The dire creature’s Strength score increases by 4, its Constitution score increases by 2, and its Charisma score increases by 1.

Attacks. Each of the creature’s natural attacks gains one additional die of damage.

Sample Dire Creature

Here the dire creature template has been applied to an elephant.

Dire Elephant

Gargantuan beast, unaligned

Armor Class 13 (natural armor)

Hit Points 174 (12d20 + 48)

Speed 40 ft.

Abilities Str 26 (+8), Dex 9 (-1), Con 19 (+4), Int 3 (-4), Wis 11 (+0), Cha 7 (-2)

Senses passive Perception 10

Languages –

Challenge 7 (2,900 XP)

Trampling Charge. If the elephant moves at least 20 feet straight toward a creature and then hits it with a gore attack on the same turn, that target must succeed on a DC 20 Strength saving throw or be knocked prone. If the target is prone, the elephant can make one stomp attack against it as a bonus action.

Actions

Gore. Melee Weapon Attack: +12 to hit, reach 5 ft., one target. Hit: 26 (4d8 + 8) piercing damage.

Stomp. Melee Weapon Attack: +12 to hit, reach 5 ft., one target. Hit: 30 (4d10 + 8) bludgeoning damage.

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