Dire Animal

Dire animals are larger, tougher, meaner versions of ordinary animals. Each kind tends to have a feral, prehistoric, or even demonic appearance.

Dire Ape

This great, feral ape is about the size of an ogre, but even more muscular. It is barrel-chested, with thick, black fur, long arms, and a broad muzzle. It seems well equipped with claws and teeth.

Dire apes are territorial and apt to attack anything they see.

A dire ape stands about 9 feet tall and weighs from 800 to 1,200 pounds.

Combat

Dire apes attack anything that enters their territory, even other dire apes. If an opponent’s armor foils a dire ape’s attacks, the creature will attempt to grapple and pin, then rend the prone opponent.

Rend (Ex): A dire ape that hits with both claw attacks latches onto the opponent’s body and tears the flesh. This attack automatically deals an extra 2d6+12 points of damage.

Skills: Dire apes have a +8 racial bonus on Climb checks and can always choose to take 10 on Climb checks, even if rushed or threatened.

Source: Monster Manual (version 3.5), page 62.

Dire Badger

This squat, muscular creature is covered in wild, thick fur. Its stout legs end in clawed feet, and its pointed snout has a wide mouth full of sharp teeth.

These vicious creatures tolerate no intrusions. They cannot burrow into solid rock, but can move through just about any material softer than that. A dire badger usually leaves behind a usable tunnel 5 feet in diameter when burrowing unless the material it’s moving through is very loose.

A dire badger is from 5 to 7 feet in length and can weigh up to 500 pounds.

Combat

Dire badgers attack with their sharp claws and teeth.

Rage (Ex): A dire badger that takes damage in combat flies into a berserk rage on its next turn, clawing and biting madly until either it or its opponent is dead. It gains +4 Strength, +4 Constitution, and –⁠2 AC. The creature cannot end its rage voluntarily.

Source: Monster Manual (version 3.5), page 62.

Dire Bat

This terrifying bat has a body as big as a horse’s and leathery wings that spread farther than a dragon’s. Shaggy fur covers most of the body, with patches of bony armor showing through here and there.

These nocturnal hunters get excited easily, and they usually try to slay or drive off any creatures they encounter.

A dire bat has a wingspan of 15 feet and weighs about 200 pounds.

Combat

Dire bats swoop down upon unsuspecting prey from above.

Blindsense (Ex): A dire bat uses echolocation to pinpoint creatures within 40 feet. Opponents still have total concealment against the bat unless it can actually see them. See blindsense for more information.

Skills: Dire bats have a +4 racial bonus on Spot and Listen checks. These bonuses are lost if its blindsense is negated.

Source: Monster Manual (version 3.5), page 62.

Dire Bear

This hulking bear has bony brow ridges and claws like sickles, with a wildness and destructive gleam in its cold, piercing eyes.

The omnivorous dire bear usually does not bother creatures that try to avoid it, but will aggressively defend a kill or other source of food. It will not hesitate to rip apart anything that might contain something edible.

A typical dire bear is 12 feet long and weighs as much as 8,000 pounds.

Combat

A dire bear attacks by tearing at opponents with its claws.

Improved Grab (Ex): To use this ability, a dire bear must hit with a claw attack. It can then attempt to start a grapple as a free action without provoking an attack of opportunity.

Source: Monster Manual (version 3.5), page 63.

Dire Boar

This giant boar has an arched back as high as a human is tall. It has spiny armor on its head and back, great, gleaming tusks, and small, furious, demon eyes.

Dire boars are omnivorous and spend most of their time rooting around, much as ordinary pigs do. They viciously attack anything that approaches them, however.

Dire boars grow up to 12 feet long and weigh as much as 2,000 pounds.

Combat

A dire boar charges its opponent, trying to rip the target open with its tusks.

Ferocity (Ex): A dire boar is such a tenacious combatant that it continues to fight without penalty even while disabled or dying.

Source: Monster Manual (version 3.5), page 63.

Dire Lion

This immense lion has a short mane and a spotted, tawny coat, but there ends the resemblance to a normal animal. This monstrous creature has bony protrusions around its eyes and shoulders, with spiked ridges running along the length of its back.

Dire lions are patient hunters, just like their smaller cousins, but apt to take on bigger prey.

Dire lions grow to be up to 15 feet long and weigh up to 3,500 pounds.

Combat

A dire lion attacks by running at prey, leaping, and clawing and biting as it rakes with its rear claws. It often jumps onto a creature larger than itself.

Pounce (Ex): If a dire lion charges a foe, it can make a full attack, including two rake attacks.

Improved Grab (Ex): To use this ability, a dire lion must hit with its bite attack. It can then attempt to start a grapple as a free action without provoking an attack of opportunity. If it wins the grapple check, it establishes a hold and can rake.

Rake (Ex): Attack bonus +12 melee, damage 1d6+3.

Skills: Dire lions have a +4 racial bonus on Balance, Hide, and Move Silently checks. In areas of tall grass or heavy undergrowth, the Hide bonus improves to +12.

Source: Monster Manual (version 3.5), page 63.

Dire Rat

This enormous rat looks bigger and more vicious than most dogs. It has coarse, spiky fur, malevolent eyes, and a long, naked tail.

Dire rats are omnivorous scavengers, but will attack to defend their nests and territories.

A dire rat can grow to be up to 4 feet long and weigh over 50 pounds.

Combat

Dire rat packs attack fearlessly, biting and chewing with their sharp incisors.

Disease (Ex): Filth fever—bite, Fortitude DC 11, incubation period 1d3 days, damage 1d3 Dex and 1d3 Con. The save DC is Constitution-based.

Skills: Dire rats have a +8 racial bonus on Swim checks.

Dire rats have a +8 racial bonus on Climb checks and can always choose to take 10 on Climb checks, even if rushed or threatened.

Dire rats use their Dexterity modifier for Climb and Swim checks.

Source: Monster Manual (version 3.5), page 64.

Dire Shark

This enormous sea monster has a streamlined body with a triangular fin atop its back, a toothy mouth set well under its long snout, and a symmetrical tail shaped like a crescent moon.

Dire sharks attack anything they perceive to be edible, even larger creatures.

This monstrous fish can grow to a length of 25 feet and weigh more than 20,000 pounds.

Combat

Dire sharks bite with their powerful jaws, swallowing smaller creatures in one gulp.

Improved Grab (Ex): To use this ability, a dire shark must hit with its bite attack. It can then attempt to start a grapple as a free action without provoking an attack of opportunity. If it wins the grapple check, it establishes a hold and can try to swallow the foe in the following round.

Swallow Whole (Ex): A dire shark can try to swallow a grabbed opponent of up to one size smaller by making a successful grapple check. Once inside, the opponent takes 2d6+6 points of bludgeoning damage plus 1d8+4 points of acid damage per round from the shark’s digestive juices. A swallowed creature can damage the stomach (AC 13, 25 hp) using a light slashing or piercing weapon. See Swallow Whole for more information on escaping its stomach.

A Huge dire shark’s gullet can hold 2 Large, 8 Medium or Small, 32 Tiny, 128 Diminutive, or 512 Fine or smaller opponents.

Keen Scent (Ex): A dire shark can notice creatures by scent in a 180-foot radius and can detect blood in the water at a range of up to 1 mile.

Skills: A dire shark has a +8 racial bonus on any Swim check to perform some special action or avoid a hazard. It can always choose to take 10 on a Swim check, even if distracted or endangered. It can use the run action while swimming, provided it swims in a straight line.

Source: Monster Manual (version 3.5), page 64.

Dire Tiger

This immense, monstrous feline is almost as tall at the shoulder as a human. It has a long body with bold stripes and paws the size of bucklers.

Dire tigers prey on just about anything that moves. They will patiently stalk a potential meal, striking whenever the creature lets down its guard.

Dire tigers grow to be over 12 feet long and can weigh up to 6,000 pounds.

Combat

A dire tiger attacks by running at prey, leaping, and clawing and biting as it rakes with its rear claws.

Improved Grab (Ex): To use this ability, a dire tiger must hit with its bite attack. It can then attempt to start a grapple as a free action without provoking an attack of opportunity. If it wins the grapple check, it establishes a hold and can rake.

Pounce (Ex): If a dire tiger charges, it can make a full attack, including two rake attacks.

Rake (Ex): Attack bonus +18 melee, damage 2d4+4.

Skills: Dire tigers have a +4 racial bonus on Hide and Move Silently checks. In areas of tall grass or heavy undergrowth, the Hide bonus improves to +8.

Source: Monster Manual (version 3.5), page 65.

Dire Weasel

This sleek, fur-covered creature has a body longer than a human is tall. It has a wedged-shaped head crowned in short horns, four short legs, and a stumpy tail. It movements are fluid and very quick.

Dire weasels are aggressive, almost manic creatures with boundless energy.

Dire weasels grow to be up to 10 feet long and can reach a weight of 700 pounds.

Combat

Dire weasels stalk their prey in the dark and then leap on it, biting and clawing.

Attach (Ex): A dire weasel that hits with its bite attack latches onto the opponent’s body with its powerful jaws. An attached dire weasel loses its Dexterity bonus to AC and thus has an AC of 12.

An attached dire weasel can be struck with a weapon or grappled itself. To remove an attached dire weasel through grappling, the opponent must achieve a pin against the creature.

Blood Drain (Ex): A dire weasel drains blood for 1d4 points of Constitution damage each round it remains attached.

Source: Monster Manual (version 3.5), page 65.

Dire Wolf

This immense gray wolf seems as big as a horse. It has fiery eyes and a thick coat of fur.

Dire wolves are efficient pack hunters that will kill anything they can catch.

Dire wolves are mottled gray or black, about 9 feet long and weighing some 800 pounds.

Combat

Dire wolves prefer to attack in packs, surrounding and flanking a foe when they can.

Trip (Ex): A dire wolf that hits with a bite attack can attempt to trip its opponent (+11 check modifier) as a free action without making a touch attack or provoking an attack of opportunity. If the attempt fails, the opponent cannot react to trip the dire wolf.

Skills: A dire wolf has a +2 racial bonus on Hide, Listen, Move Silently, and Spot checks. It also has a +4 racial bonus on Survival checks when tracking by scent.

Source: Monster Manual (version 3.5), page 65.

Dire Wolverine

This massive, low-slung creature has a wedge-shaped head and body covered in coarse, shaggy fur. Its legs are short and thick, and it has claws like pickaxes on its feet.

These foul-tempered creatures have been known to attack settlements, destroying both livestock and food stores. They are reputed to be utterly fearless.

Dire wolverines grow to about 12 feet in length and can weigh as much as 2,000 pounds.

Combat

Dire wolverines attack opponents wantonly, fearing no other creatures.

Rage (Ex): A dire wolverine that takes damage in combat flies into a berserk rage on its next turn, clawing and biting madly until either it or its opponent is dead. An enraged dire wolverine gains +4 Strength, +4 Constitution, and –2 AC. The creature cannot end its rage voluntarily.

Skills: A dire wolverine has a +8 racial bonus on Climb checks and can always choose to take 10 on Climb checks, even if rushed or threatened.

Source: Monster Manual (version 3.5), page 66.