Old hunters claim the first Bristlewrath was a war-chief who begged a rat god for the strength to defeat an encircling army. The answer came as a curse that fused four bloodlines into one body and filled its heart with endless anger. The creature won the battle alone, then turned on both armies. Since then, Bristlewraths have appeared wherever slaughter, lycanthropy, and ancient giant blood intersect.
Forest Ambusher.The Bristlewrath has advantage on Dexterity (Stealth) checks made in forests, and it can attempt to hide while only lightly obscured by foliage, rain, mist, or dim natural light.
Pack Tactician.The Bristlewrath has advantage on attack rolls against a creature if at least one of the Bristlewrath's allies is within 5 feet of the creature, or if the creature is frightened, prone, or surprised.
Predatory Discipline.The Bristlewrath has advantage on saving throws against being charmed, frightened, paralyzed, poisoned, stunned, or put to sleep.
Shapechanger.The Bristlewrath can use an action to polymorph into a Large rat-humanoid hybrid or into a Huge dire rat, or back into its true form. Its statistics are the same in each form, except that in dire rat form it cannot use its hooked cleaver or speak. Any equipment it is wearing or carrying transforms with it. It reverts to its true form when it dies.
Controlled Fury.When the Bristlewrath takes damage, it can choose to gain advantage on its next attack roll before the end of its next turn. Until that attack is resolved, attack rolls against the Bristlewrath have advantage. This trait cannot be used while the Bristlewrath is frightened, stunned, or incapacitated.
Regenerative Rage.The Bristlewrath regains 20 hit points at the start of its turn if it has at least 1 hit point. If it takes radiant damage or damage from a silvered weapon, this trait does not function at the start of its next turn.
Rage-Rot Curse.A creature cursed by the Bristlewrath has its speed reduced by 10 feet and has disadvantage on saving throws against being frightened for 24 hours. At the end of each long rest, the creature must succeed on a Constitution saving throw or gain one level of exhaustion. The curse ends if removed by remove curse, greater restoration, heal, or similar magic. A creature that succeeds on the initial saving throw is immune to this curse for 24 hours.
Battlefield Instinct.The Bristlewrath cannot be surprised while conscious. It adds its proficiency bonus to initiative rolls and can take one additional reaction each round, but only one reaction per triggering event.
Goliath-Blooded.The Bristlewrath deals double damage to objects and structures. It has advantage on ability checks and saving throws made to break restraints or escape a grapple.
Multiattack.The Bristlewrath makes two attacks: one with its hooked cleaver and one with its bite, or three attacks with its hooked cleaver.
Hooked Cleaver.Melee Weapon Attack: to hit, reach 10 ft., one target. Hit: 17 () slashing damage. If the Bristlewrath has advantage on the attack roll, the target takes an additional 10 () slashing damage.
Rending Bite.Melee Weapon Attack: to hit, reach 5 ft., one target. Hit: 15 () piercing damage. If the target is a creature, it must succeed on a Constitution saving throw or become infected with the Bristlewrath's rage-rot curse.
Ambush Surge.The Bristlewrath moves up to its speed without provoking opportunity attacks. At the end of this movement, it can make one hooked cleaver attack against a creature it has advantage against.
Pure Anger.The Bristlewrath emits a pulse of murderous fury. Each creature of its choice within 20 feet must make a Wisdom saving throw. On a failed save, a creature is frightened until the end of the Bristlewrath's next turn. On a successful save, it is immune to this ability for 24 hours.
Tactical Reposition.The Bristlewrath targets one creature it can see within 60 feet. The target must succeed on a Strength saving throw or be pulled up to 20 feet toward the Bristlewrath and knocked prone. The Bristlewrath can then move up to half its speed toward the target.
Slip Behind Cover.When the Bristlewrath is hit by an attack while it is within 10 feet of cover, it reduces the damage by 15 and moves up to 15 feet to another space adjacent to cover. If this movement places it out of the attacker's reach, the Bristlewrath does not provoke an opportunity attack. The Bristlewrath can use this reaction three times per day.
Punish Overextension.When a creature the Bristlewrath can see misses it with an attack, the Bristlewrath can move up to half its speed and make one hooked cleaver attack against a different creature within reach. It cannot use this reaction if it has disadvantage on the attack.
Predator's Step.The Bristlewrath moves up to half its speed without provoking opportunity attacks.
Snap and Tear.The Bristlewrath makes one bite attack against a creature within reach. It cannot use this action if it has already made a bite attack since the end of its last turn.
Exploit the Opening (Costs 2 Actions).The Bristlewrath makes one hooked cleaver attack. If it hits a creature that is frightened, prone, or isolated from all allies by at least 10 feet, the attack deals an additional 7 () slashing damage.
Battlefield Panic (Costs 3 Actions).Each creature of the Bristlewrath's choice within 15 feet must make a Wisdom saving throw. On a failed save, a creature is frightened until the end of its next turn and must use its reaction, if available, to move up to half its speed away from the Bristlewrath.
Visual sheet
Turn Bristlewrath into a sheet
A high-res, share-ready sheet you can post or print.
