Fast and furious, terror birds run down prey with single-minded intensity, shredding and devouring warm flesh with seeming enthusiasm. These large, flightless predatory birds are often apex predators in primeval forests and grasslands. With formidable beaks and talons, both massive and razor sharp, these birds easily disembowel creatures with a single swipe.
Terror Bird Lore
Nature DC 12: Terror birds are quick, intelligent predators that are often found in wild, primeval forests, grasslands, and jungles. Due to their speed and intelligence, terror birds are often trained as mounts by a wide range of intelligent humanoids.
Nature DC 15: Hammerbeaks are a smaller species of terror bird, although no less fearsome. They use their massive skulls and oversized beaks as organic battering rams, smashing prey to the ground where it can be quickly dispatched. Although only Medium-sized, hammerbeaks are sturdy creatures, and if properly trained, can carry Small-sized riders.
Nature DC 15: Razorbeaks are among the largest species of terror birds and can easily reach heights of 10 ft. They are incredibly fast and agile and generally favor hit-and-run tactics. Razorbeaks attack with their oversized, hawk-like beaks but can also lash out with a devastating kick.
Hammerbeak (Gastornis) (Level 3 Brute)
Medium natural beast (mount) XP 150
Initiative +3 Senses Perception +7; low-light vision
hp 55; Bloodied 27
AC 15, Fortitude 17, Reflex 14, Will 13
Speed 7
[M] Bite (standard; at-will)
+6 vs. AC; 2d6 + 4 damage
[m] Skull Slam (standard; only on charge; recharge on 4, 5, 6)
+7 vs. AC; 2d6 + 4 damage, and a Medium or smaller target is knocked prone and dazed until the end of the axebeak’s next turn
Small Mount â—Š Mount
The hammerbeak is sturdy enough to carry a single rider of Small size
Swift Defense +1 (while mounted by a friendly rider of 3rd level or higher; at will) â—Š Mount
When the hammerbeak moves 2 squares or more, it grants its rider a +1 bonus to AC and Reflex defense until the start of its next turn
Alignment unaligned    Languages –
Skills Athletics +10, Stealth +8
Str 18 (+5) Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Dex 14 (+3) Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Wis 12 (+2)
Con 15 (+3) Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Int 2 (-3) Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Cha 10 (+1)
Tactics
A hammerbeak begins combat by charging the nearest enemy with skull slam. It then focuses its fearsome bite attack on the downed and dazed foe. A hammerbeak is a belligerent beast and does not flee combat even when severely wounded.
Razorbeak (Phorusrhacos) (Level 7 Skirmisher)
Large natural beast (mount) XP 300
Initiative +9 Senses Perception +10; low-light vision
hp 81; Bloodied 40
AC 21, Fortitude 20, Reflex 19, Will 16
Speed 9
[M] Bite (standard; at-will)
Reach 2; +12 vs. AC; 1d10 + 5 damage, or 1d10 + 10 damage against a prone target
[m] Mobile Melee Attack (standard; at-will)
The razorbeak moves its speed and makes a bite attack during the move; the razorbeak does not provoke opportunity attacks while moving away from the target of this attack
[m] Pinning Talon (standard; recharge on 4, 5, 6)
Reach 2; +12 vs. AC; 1d6 + 5 damage, and a Medium or smaller target is knocked prone and immobilized as long as the razorbeak remains adjacent to it (save ends); while immobilized, the target cannot stand up from prone
Swift Defense +2 (while mounted by a friendly rider of 7th level or higher; at will) â—Š Mount
When the razorbeak moves 2 squares or more, it grants its rider a +2 bonus to AC and Reflex defense until the start of its next turn
Alignment unaligned    Languages –
Skills Athletics +13, Stealth +12
Str 20 (+8) Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Dex 19 (+7) Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Wis 14 (+5)
Con 17 (+6) Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Int 2 (-1) Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Cha 10 (+3)
Tactics
A razorbeak attacks with its massive, hooked beak, slicing and tearing the flesh of its prey. It prefers to use hit-and-run tactics against targets of Medium size or larger, making good use of mobile melee attack. Once it has weakened an opponent, a razorbeak closes in for the kill. It uses pinning talon to knock an injured target to the ground where it can be easily torn to pieces and devoured.
Encounter Groups
Terror birds often hunt in small packs, using cooperative tactics much like wolves or lions. Many types of humanoids, both civilized and savage, have mastered the training of these dangerous and intelligent beasts, using them as attack beasts and even mounts.
Level 4 Encounter (XP 850)
- 2 goblin skullcleavers (level 3 brute)
- 2 hammerbeaks (level 3 brute)
- 2 goblin sharpshooters (level 2 artillery)
Level 8 Encounter (XP 1,850)
- 1 eladrin twilight incanter (level 8 controller)
- 2 eladrin fey knights (level 7 soldier)
- 3 razorbeaks (level 7 skirmisher)
Terror comes in so many forms… even on flightless wings. Mayhem has black, beady eyes! What would Alfred Hitchcock do? Tell us below.
Seem like a good match for the goblins, though putting brutes with brutes in the Level 4 encounter…. Maybe too grind-y?
Not sure whether I buy the eladrin + terror birds combo, but regardless, LOVE the Pinning Talon!
I think the damage for the hammerbeak looks a tad high for a level 3 brute.
The Eladrin + bird reminds me of WoW Blood Elf and the giant colorful chickens they ride as mounts. Perhaps this was a homage to them.
Luke, but brutes generally get robbed in the damage-dealing department by the official guidelines. With the amount of healing some groups put together, it’s entirely possible to bump damage up and have a more exciting fight.
Yup, 2d6 is the recommended damage for a level 3 brute’s melee basic attack per the DMG. However, I’ve seen WotC goes as high as 2d10 (myconid rot priest) in the MM2.
Very cool.
I really love the pinning talon.