Dire animal
In the Dungeons & Dragons fantasy roleplaying game, dire animals are larger, tougher, meaner versions of regular animals. They fairly closely resemble their normal counterparts, only are slightly larger and more powerful, and with a feral, prehistoric and even demonic countenance. Sharp, ugly, bony ridges protrude from their spines, limbs and head. Some say they are creatures that have been exposed to demonic energy or cursed by the gods, while others say they are regular creatures who have been experimented on by mad wizards. Dire animals cannot speak, are of animal intelligence and carry no equipment.
Publication history
The third edition Monster Manual introduces twelve dire animals, specific descriptions of which are listed below: dire ape, dire badger, dire bat, dire bear, dire boar, dire lion, dire rat, dire shark, dire tiger, dire weasel, dire wolf, and dire wolverine. The same dire animals are presented again in the version 3.5 Monster Manual. Each of these twelve creatures is described in its own section below.
Masters of the Wild introduces 6 new dire animals. The animals are listed below: dire elephant, dire elk, dire horse, dire hawk, dire snake, and dire toad. updated versions of the monsters published in Masters of the Wild.
Races of Stone introduced the dire eagle. Frostburn introduces numerous dire animals more suited to cold environments. Many of them are not named 'dire ' but are still counted as dire animals. They are listed here: dire polar bear, megaloceros, glyptodon, sabretoothed tiger, wooly mammoth, and zeuglodon. Libris Mortis does not technically introduce any dire animals, however, the dire maggot is named 'dire', despite the fact that it is of the vermin type; it is more usual to describe giant versions of real life vermin as Monstrous, not Dire, which is generally reserved for animals. Sandstorm introduced several new dire animals suited to a warmer environment. These were: dire hippopotamus, dire jackal, dire puma, dire tortoise, and dire vulture. Stormwrack introduced two new dire animals, both designed to be well suited to an aquatic environment. They were the dire barracuda and the dire eel. The book Dragon Magic introduces the dire phynxkin.
Creative origins
Dire animals are intended to represent fantasy prehistoric animals. Many dire animals have real world megafauna counterparts, such as the woolly mammoth, the megaloceros, and the zeuglodon. Many others, however, with their protruding bony ridges and spikes, are simply fanciful inventions.
The word 'dire' is sometimes used to describe some real-life prehistoric animals, such as the dire wolf.
The idea of large versions of ordinary animals as adversaries to heroes was likely inspired by tales from myth and legend, such as the Nemean Lion, the giant rat or the roc. Such creatures have also been featured numerous times in literature, such as The Hound of the Baskervilles.
Dire ape
A dire ape is a dire version of an ape, or, more specifically, a gorilla. They are found in warm forests and warm mountains, and encountered either individually, or in companies of 5-8 animals.
Physical description
Dire apes look like very large gorillas. They have long, ivory claws, and very sharp teeth. They stand around 8 feet tall, and weigh between 600 and 1,000 lbs. They have a good sense of smell, and are capable climbers.
Combat
Dire apes will attack anything that enters its territory. It attacks by biting and clawing, and also has the ability to tear opponents apart, if it manages to strike the opponent with both claws at the same time. Generally, if the ape finds its attacks ineffective due to the opponents armour, it will grapple the opponent and pin it to the floor, before attacking further.
In other publications and media
A single official dire ape miniature has been released by Wizards of the Coast, called Dire Ape.
Dire badger
A dire badger is a dire version of a badger. They are found in temperate forests, hills, plains and underground. They are encountered solitarily or in cetes of between 2 and 5 animals.
Physical description
Dire badgers look like regular badgers, reaching lengths of 7 feet. They can weigh up to 500 lbs. They have a very good sense of smell, and are capable burrowers.
Combat
Dire badgers attack with their claws and teeth. When a dire badger is injured in combat, it flies into a dangerous rage, making it stronger and tougher, but with the drawback of being significantly easier to hit. It cannot end its rage volutarily, and the rage will end only if it, or its opponent, is killed.
Relations with other monsters and characters
*Gnomes have the ability to cast Speak with animals daily, but it applies only to burrowing mammals. Therefore, they often make use of dire badgers as combat animals. A band of gnomes typically includes 30-50 gnomes, plus 1 sergeant per 20 adults, 5 lieutenants, 3 captains, and 2-5 dire badgers.
Physical description
Dire bats look like very large bats, and have a wingspan of between 8 and 9 feet. They have Blindsight, allowing them to 'see' in the dark. Because of this, their vision is effectively better than a humans. They also have keen ears, to make use of their ability. They can see regularly, but their normal vision is extremely weak.
Combat
Dire bats are nocturnal hunters that swoop down on prey from above. They attack by biting.
Physical description
Dire bears are as much as 20 feet long, and can weigh up to 6,000 lbs. They have a strong sense of smell.
Combat
Dire bears attack primarily with their claws, but they can also bite. It also has the ability to Rend opponents- if it manages to catch hold with both of its claw attacks, then it can pull the creature that has been hit wide open, doing great amounts of damage to it.
Relations with other monsters and characters
*Dire bears are often kept by stone giants, a type of giant. A typical tribe of stone giants consists of 21-30 giants, plus 35% noncombatants and 1-3 elders, with 3-6 dire bears.
In other publications and media
There has been one dire bear miniature released, called Dire Bear.
Physical description
A dire boar looks like a regular boar, but can grow up to sixteen feet long. It weighs up to 2,000 pounds, and has a strong sense of smell.
Combat
Dire boars fight by biting and attempting to rip apart the opponent using its tusks. They also have the Ferocity special attack. This means that the creature will continue to fight, even while dying or disabled, rather that falling unconscious, or being significantly weakened. There is also a model, called Dire Boar, that has already been released.
Physical description
Dire lions look like regular lions. They grow up to 20 feet long, and weigh up to 3,500 pounds. They have a strong sense of smell. They are particularly apt at hiding and moving quietly, and even more so in areas of long grass or heavy undergrowth.
Combat
A dire lion's attacking tactics are more complex than many other dire animals'. It runs at whatever it intends to attack, usually prey, and pounces towards it, clawing and biting it while it rakes with its hind legs. It is only able to attack with its hind legs if it manages to bite hold of its opponent.
Relations with other monsters and characters
*Druids and other characters can turn into dire lions.
*Dire lions can be summoned by various spells.
*Druids and other characters can have dire lions as animal companions.
*Cloud giants, a type of giant, often keep dire lions. A typical cloud giant family has 2-4 giants, plus 35% noncombatants and 1 sorcerer or cleric with 2-5 griffons or 2-8 dire lions. A typical cloud giant band consists of 6-9 giants plus 1 sorcerer or cleric with 2-5 griffons or 2-8 dire lions.
*The Storm Lord class can summon a black Dire Lion called a Shadow Lion as a mount, similar to the divine ability of a paladin.
In other publications and media
One dire lion miniature, called Dire Lion, has been released.
Physical description
Dire rats look basically the same as a normal rat, but they can grow up to 3 feet long and weigh over 60 pounds (27 kilograms). They are adept swimmers and climbers, relying on their dexterity ability score rather than their strength for these skills. They also have better vision and scent than humans.
Combat
Dire rats attack in packs. Their only weapon is their dangerous bite, which, as well as physically injuring the recipient, can pass on the disease carried by dire rats, known as filth fever.
In other publications and media
Dire rats have appeared in numerous other publications, including many Dungeons & Dragons novels. They have also appeared in official released adventures and adventure paths, such as The Sunless Citadel. Wizards of the Coast has also released two dire rat models in their new batch of official ranges- the 'Dire Rat' from the Giants of Legend range and the 'Diseased Dire Rat' from the War of the Dragon Queen range.
Physical description
Dire sharks are the largest of the dire animals found in the Monster Manual. They can grow to 50 feet in length, and weigh more than 20,000 pounds. They have an extremely strong sense of smell, even more so than other dire animals.
Combat
Dire sharks typically attack anything that they perceive to be edible, and this can include larger creatures. Their only form of attack is to bite with their large, powerful jaws. If it successfully bites an opponent, it can take hold of the creature or object in its jaw, and swallow it whole. The shark is only able to do this to a creature that is smaller than itself.
Physical description
Dire tigers are the largest of the land dwelling dire animals, that are found in the Monster Manual. They grow up to 35 feet in length, and can weigh up to 6,000 pounds.
Combat
Dire tigers fight with exactly the same tactics as dire lions. Once the tiger has chosen a target, it runs at whatever it intends to attack, usually prey, and pounces towards it, clawing and biting it while it rakes with its hind legs. It is only able to attack with its hind legs if it manages to bite hold of its opponent.
Physical description
Dire weasels are basically weasels that can grow to a length of 6 feet, and weigh up to 400 pounds.
Combat
Dire weasels are aggressive creatures, and they fight by stalking their prey, usually in the dark, and leaping upon them, biting and clawing at the creature. If a weasel successfully bites an opponent, then it attaches itself to the creature, and slowly drains its blood.
In other publications and media
There has been one model of a dire weasel released, called Fiendish Dire Weasel.
Physical description
Grey or black in colour, dire wolves are about eight feet () long, and weigh around . They have a good sense of smell. They also are good listeners, and their bodies have adapted to be easily hidden and quiet. Their eyes are slightly stronger than those of humans.
Combat
Dire wolves fight in packs, surrounding a foe, and flanking it to gain the upper hand. Their only attack is their bite, but they are quite capable of pulling enemies to the floor once they have bitten hold of them.
Physical description
Dire wolverines can grow to 12 feet in length, and weigh as much as 2,000 pounds.
Combat
Dire wolverines fear no other animal, and attack other creatures randomly. They attack with the sharp claws on both their front paws, and by biting. If a dire wolverine is wounded in combat, it enters a rage identical to that of the dire badger.<ref name="Monster Manual"/>
Relations with other monsters and characters
*Certain spells can summon dire wolverines.
*Dire wolverines can become animal companions to certain characters.
*Certain characters can turn into dire wolverines.<ref name="Player's Handbook"/>
In other publications and media
There has been one model of a dire wolverine released, called Fiendish Dire Wolverine.<ref name="List of Models"/>
Further reading
*Gygax, Gary. Monster Manual (TSR, 1977).
Publication history
The third edition Monster Manual introduces twelve dire animals, specific descriptions of which are listed below: dire ape, dire badger, dire bat, dire bear, dire boar, dire lion, dire rat, dire shark, dire tiger, dire weasel, dire wolf, and dire wolverine. The same dire animals are presented again in the version 3.5 Monster Manual. Each of these twelve creatures is described in its own section below.
Masters of the Wild introduces 6 new dire animals. The animals are listed below: dire elephant, dire elk, dire horse, dire hawk, dire snake, and dire toad. updated versions of the monsters published in Masters of the Wild.
Races of Stone introduced the dire eagle. Frostburn introduces numerous dire animals more suited to cold environments. Many of them are not named 'dire ' but are still counted as dire animals. They are listed here: dire polar bear, megaloceros, glyptodon, sabretoothed tiger, wooly mammoth, and zeuglodon. Libris Mortis does not technically introduce any dire animals, however, the dire maggot is named 'dire', despite the fact that it is of the vermin type; it is more usual to describe giant versions of real life vermin as Monstrous, not Dire, which is generally reserved for animals. Sandstorm introduced several new dire animals suited to a warmer environment. These were: dire hippopotamus, dire jackal, dire puma, dire tortoise, and dire vulture. Stormwrack introduced two new dire animals, both designed to be well suited to an aquatic environment. They were the dire barracuda and the dire eel. The book Dragon Magic introduces the dire phynxkin.
Creative origins
Dire animals are intended to represent fantasy prehistoric animals. Many dire animals have real world megafauna counterparts, such as the woolly mammoth, the megaloceros, and the zeuglodon. Many others, however, with their protruding bony ridges and spikes, are simply fanciful inventions.
The word 'dire' is sometimes used to describe some real-life prehistoric animals, such as the dire wolf.
The idea of large versions of ordinary animals as adversaries to heroes was likely inspired by tales from myth and legend, such as the Nemean Lion, the giant rat or the roc. Such creatures have also been featured numerous times in literature, such as The Hound of the Baskervilles.
Dire ape
A dire ape is a dire version of an ape, or, more specifically, a gorilla. They are found in warm forests and warm mountains, and encountered either individually, or in companies of 5-8 animals.
Physical description
Dire apes look like very large gorillas. They have long, ivory claws, and very sharp teeth. They stand around 8 feet tall, and weigh between 600 and 1,000 lbs. They have a good sense of smell, and are capable climbers.
Combat
Dire apes will attack anything that enters its territory. It attacks by biting and clawing, and also has the ability to tear opponents apart, if it manages to strike the opponent with both claws at the same time. Generally, if the ape finds its attacks ineffective due to the opponents armour, it will grapple the opponent and pin it to the floor, before attacking further.
In other publications and media
A single official dire ape miniature has been released by Wizards of the Coast, called Dire Ape.
Dire badger
A dire badger is a dire version of a badger. They are found in temperate forests, hills, plains and underground. They are encountered solitarily or in cetes of between 2 and 5 animals.
Physical description
Dire badgers look like regular badgers, reaching lengths of 7 feet. They can weigh up to 500 lbs. They have a very good sense of smell, and are capable burrowers.
Combat
Dire badgers attack with their claws and teeth. When a dire badger is injured in combat, it flies into a dangerous rage, making it stronger and tougher, but with the drawback of being significantly easier to hit. It cannot end its rage volutarily, and the rage will end only if it, or its opponent, is killed.
Relations with other monsters and characters
*Gnomes have the ability to cast Speak with animals daily, but it applies only to burrowing mammals. Therefore, they often make use of dire badgers as combat animals. A band of gnomes typically includes 30-50 gnomes, plus 1 sergeant per 20 adults, 5 lieutenants, 3 captains, and 2-5 dire badgers.
Physical description
Dire bats look like very large bats, and have a wingspan of between 8 and 9 feet. They have Blindsight, allowing them to 'see' in the dark. Because of this, their vision is effectively better than a humans. They also have keen ears, to make use of their ability. They can see regularly, but their normal vision is extremely weak.
Combat
Dire bats are nocturnal hunters that swoop down on prey from above. They attack by biting.
Physical description
Dire bears are as much as 20 feet long, and can weigh up to 6,000 lbs. They have a strong sense of smell.
Combat
Dire bears attack primarily with their claws, but they can also bite. It also has the ability to Rend opponents- if it manages to catch hold with both of its claw attacks, then it can pull the creature that has been hit wide open, doing great amounts of damage to it.
Relations with other monsters and characters
*Dire bears are often kept by stone giants, a type of giant. A typical tribe of stone giants consists of 21-30 giants, plus 35% noncombatants and 1-3 elders, with 3-6 dire bears.
In other publications and media
There has been one dire bear miniature released, called Dire Bear.
Physical description
A dire boar looks like a regular boar, but can grow up to sixteen feet long. It weighs up to 2,000 pounds, and has a strong sense of smell.
Combat
Dire boars fight by biting and attempting to rip apart the opponent using its tusks. They also have the Ferocity special attack. This means that the creature will continue to fight, even while dying or disabled, rather that falling unconscious, or being significantly weakened. There is also a model, called Dire Boar, that has already been released.
Physical description
Dire lions look like regular lions. They grow up to 20 feet long, and weigh up to 3,500 pounds. They have a strong sense of smell. They are particularly apt at hiding and moving quietly, and even more so in areas of long grass or heavy undergrowth.
Combat
A dire lion's attacking tactics are more complex than many other dire animals'. It runs at whatever it intends to attack, usually prey, and pounces towards it, clawing and biting it while it rakes with its hind legs. It is only able to attack with its hind legs if it manages to bite hold of its opponent.
Relations with other monsters and characters
*Druids and other characters can turn into dire lions.
*Dire lions can be summoned by various spells.
*Druids and other characters can have dire lions as animal companions.
*Cloud giants, a type of giant, often keep dire lions. A typical cloud giant family has 2-4 giants, plus 35% noncombatants and 1 sorcerer or cleric with 2-5 griffons or 2-8 dire lions. A typical cloud giant band consists of 6-9 giants plus 1 sorcerer or cleric with 2-5 griffons or 2-8 dire lions.
*The Storm Lord class can summon a black Dire Lion called a Shadow Lion as a mount, similar to the divine ability of a paladin.
In other publications and media
One dire lion miniature, called Dire Lion, has been released.
Physical description
Dire rats look basically the same as a normal rat, but they can grow up to 3 feet long and weigh over 60 pounds (27 kilograms). They are adept swimmers and climbers, relying on their dexterity ability score rather than their strength for these skills. They also have better vision and scent than humans.
Combat
Dire rats attack in packs. Their only weapon is their dangerous bite, which, as well as physically injuring the recipient, can pass on the disease carried by dire rats, known as filth fever.
In other publications and media
Dire rats have appeared in numerous other publications, including many Dungeons & Dragons novels. They have also appeared in official released adventures and adventure paths, such as The Sunless Citadel. Wizards of the Coast has also released two dire rat models in their new batch of official ranges- the 'Dire Rat' from the Giants of Legend range and the 'Diseased Dire Rat' from the War of the Dragon Queen range.
Physical description
Dire sharks are the largest of the dire animals found in the Monster Manual. They can grow to 50 feet in length, and weigh more than 20,000 pounds. They have an extremely strong sense of smell, even more so than other dire animals.
Combat
Dire sharks typically attack anything that they perceive to be edible, and this can include larger creatures. Their only form of attack is to bite with their large, powerful jaws. If it successfully bites an opponent, it can take hold of the creature or object in its jaw, and swallow it whole. The shark is only able to do this to a creature that is smaller than itself.
Physical description
Dire tigers are the largest of the land dwelling dire animals, that are found in the Monster Manual. They grow up to 35 feet in length, and can weigh up to 6,000 pounds.
Combat
Dire tigers fight with exactly the same tactics as dire lions. Once the tiger has chosen a target, it runs at whatever it intends to attack, usually prey, and pounces towards it, clawing and biting it while it rakes with its hind legs. It is only able to attack with its hind legs if it manages to bite hold of its opponent.
Physical description
Dire weasels are basically weasels that can grow to a length of 6 feet, and weigh up to 400 pounds.
Combat
Dire weasels are aggressive creatures, and they fight by stalking their prey, usually in the dark, and leaping upon them, biting and clawing at the creature. If a weasel successfully bites an opponent, then it attaches itself to the creature, and slowly drains its blood.
In other publications and media
There has been one model of a dire weasel released, called Fiendish Dire Weasel.
Physical description
Grey or black in colour, dire wolves are about eight feet () long, and weigh around . They have a good sense of smell. They also are good listeners, and their bodies have adapted to be easily hidden and quiet. Their eyes are slightly stronger than those of humans.
Combat
Dire wolves fight in packs, surrounding a foe, and flanking it to gain the upper hand. Their only attack is their bite, but they are quite capable of pulling enemies to the floor once they have bitten hold of them.
Physical description
Dire wolverines can grow to 12 feet in length, and weigh as much as 2,000 pounds.
Combat
Dire wolverines fear no other animal, and attack other creatures randomly. They attack with the sharp claws on both their front paws, and by biting. If a dire wolverine is wounded in combat, it enters a rage identical to that of the dire badger.<ref name="Monster Manual"/>
Relations with other monsters and characters
*Certain spells can summon dire wolverines.
*Dire wolverines can become animal companions to certain characters.
*Certain characters can turn into dire wolverines.<ref name="Player's Handbook"/>
In other publications and media
There has been one model of a dire wolverine released, called Fiendish Dire Wolverine.<ref name="List of Models"/>
Further reading
*Gygax, Gary. Monster Manual (TSR, 1977).
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