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Archives of Nethys

Archives of Nethys

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There is a Legacy version here.

PFS StandardPachycephalosaurus

Pachycephalosauruses are normally peaceful, herbivorous dinosaurs, but they grow much more violent during mating season, when they fight one another to win over mates and warn away interlopers. They also defend themselves vehemently if potential predators stray too close to their herd. The pachycephalosaurus's skull has a distinctive dome-shaped crown surrounded by numerous blunt, bony horns. This feature, combined with the dinosaur's powerful, compact neck, allows it to make battering-ramlike charges capable of inflicting great damage.

Some humanoid groups have successfully trained pachycephalosauruses as mounts, but the creatures aren't particularly well suited to the task.

Pachycephalosauruses grow to a length of 15 feet and weigh 1,400 pounds.

Recall Knowledge - Animal (Nature): DC 18
Unspecific Lore: DC 16
Specific Lore: DC 13

Elite | Normal | Weak
Proficiency without Level

PachycephalosaurusCreature 3

Medium Animal Dinosaur 
Source Monster Core pg. 97
Perception +10; low-light vision, scent (imprecise) 30 feet
Skills Athletics +11, Intimidation +7
Str +4, Dex +3, Con +4, Int -4, Wis +3, Cha +0
AC 17; Fort +12, Ref +11, Will +7
HP 65
Speed 35 feet
Melee [one-action] skull +11 [+6/+1] (forceful, reach 10 feet), Damage 1d10+6 bludgeoningClobbering Charge [two-actions] The pachycephalosaurus Strides up to its Speed. If it ends its movement within melee reach of a target, it can make a skull Strike against that target. If the pachycephalosaurus critically hits with this Strike, the creature hit is stunned 1.Sudden Shove [reaction] (attack) Trigger The pachycephalosaurus damages a Medium or smaller foe with its skull Strike; Effect The pachycephalosaurus digs in and flings its head up, shoving its foe away. It attempts an Athletics check against the target's Fortitude DC.
Critical Success The pachycephalosaurus pushes the opponent up to 10 feet away from itself and knocks the target prone.
Success The pachycephalosaurus pushes the opponent back 5 feet.
Failure The pachycephalosaurus fails to push the opponent.
Critical Failure As failure, but the failed attempt leaves the pachycephalosaurus off-guard for 1 round.

All Monsters in "Dinosaur"

NameLevel
Ankylosaurus6
Brontosaurus10
Compsognathus-1
Deinonychus2
Hadrosaurid4
Pachycephalosaurus3
Stegosaurus7
Triceratops8
Tyrannosaurus10
Velociraptor1

Dinosaur

Source Monster Core pg. 96
Remnants from the world's primeval era, these enormous reptilian animals still exist in large numbers in remote wildernesses or underground in magical Darklands caverns. Lizardfolk, orcs, giants, and other humanoids who live near dinosaurs use the animals as mounts, guards, or hunting beasts. Occasionally, rich nobles will collect dinosaurs to display them in menageries, which almost inevitably leads to cast-offs being nursed back to health by druids and other champions of nature. When dinosaurs establish themselves in regions outside their normal habitats, it's often the result of a large collection being released.

Sidebar - Related Creatures Dinosaur Guardians

As with most animals, dinosaurs can be tamed or domesticated, but the difficulty of this task increases along with the dinosaur's level. Lizardfolk and xulgaths are fond of using dinosaurs as beasts of burden, mounts, or even war beasts. Certain dinosaurs, such as velociraptors and deinonychuses, make excellent trackers as well. The largest and most dangerous dinosaurs, such as the tyrannosaurus, are generally avoided, although more powerful creatures like giants have been known to be able to keep them as pets, guardians, or even brutal executioners. In more bloodthirsty cultures, dinosaurs are sadly sometimes used as combatants in gladiatorial battles.

Sidebar - Treasure and Rewards Dinosaur Resources

As animals, dinosaurs have little interest in treasure (although velociraptors and deinonychuses, like their bird cousins, enjoy keeping sparkling baubles in their nests), but the remains of adventurers strewn about their lairs often still have valuable gear. Beyond these traditional treasures, local civilizations often hunt dinosaurs for meat, hides, and eggs.

Sidebar - Advice and Rules Dinosaurs in Fantasy

At first glance, the inclusion of dinosaurs in a fantasy setting might seem strange, but dinosaurs are an excellent creature to use in a game that bridges the gap between familiar real-world animals and legendary monsters. If having dinosaurs mix freely with lions, manticores, and dragons still seems strange to you, consider using them in remote, primeval lands, as suggested in the sidebars below.

Sidebar - Locations Hollow Worlds

Hollow worlds are another classic fictional location where dinosaurs can be found. Some campaign settings might not contain entire isolated worlds within them, but many, such as Golarion, have expansive underground lands. The deepest region of the Darklands of Golarion—a realm called Orv—is an optimal region to find a hollow world. Typically infused with magic that allows for jungles to grow deep underground (and sometimes even featuring sunlike orbs that illuminate the lands from above, simulating a day-night cycle), areas such as Deep Tolguth of Orv make perfect places for dinosaurs to roam.

Sidebar - Related Creatures Other Dinosaurs

A wide range of dinosaurs are presented on these pages, but any trip to the movies, exploration of dinosaur books, or online search reveals a wealth of additional creatures that could fit into your game as well. The spike-thumbed iguanodons, sail-backed spinosauruses, therizinosauruses with their massive claws, and more await discovery by those who would seek out the mysteries of the lost worlds where the thunder lizards still rule!

Sidebar - Locations Primeval Lands

Across Golarion, dinosaurs are found in isolated lands like primeval jungle valleys or plateaus—sometimes called lost worlds for their inaccessibility and lack of any encroaching civilization. In addition to dinosaurs, other megafauna can exist in these places as well, along with giant insects or aggressive creatures like carnivorous plants, drakes, linnorms, and rocs.