Giant Owl, understands Common, Elvish, and Sylvan but can't speak them
Traits
Flyby. The owl doesn't provoke opportunity attacks when it flies out of an enemy's reach.
Keen Hearing and Sight. The owl has advantage on Wisdom (Perception) checks that rely on hearing or sight.
Actions
Talons. Melee Weapon Attack: +3 to hit, reach 5 ft., one target. Hit: 8 (2d6 + 1) slashing damage.
How many giant owls for a fight?
A giant owl is worth 50 XP. Using the 2024 encounter budgets (SRD 5.2), this is how many giant owls fit each difficulty for a party of four characters of the same level. A dash means even one would be over the budget.
Party level
Low
Moderate
High
1st
4
6
8
2nd
8
12
12+
3rd
12
12+
12+
Budgets add up every monster’s XP, so you can swap some for other creatures of the same total. Try other party sizes and mixes in the encounter calculator.
How the giant owl compares at CR 1/4
Against the 31 other challenge 1/4 monsters in the SRD 5.1, the giant owl has more hit points than 21 of them, which makes it tougher than most at its CR. See every CR 1/4 monster.
Statistic
Giant Owl
CR 1/4 average
Armor Class
12
11.8
Hit points
19
15
Best attack bonus
+3
+4
Giant Owl 2024 stat block
The 2024 Monster Manual revised the giant owl, and the SRD 5.2 carries the new stat block. What changed:
Its creature type changed from beast to celestial.
Ability scores: INT 8 → 10, WIS 13 → 14.
New in its stat block: Spellcasting.
Gone from it: Keen Hearing and Sight.
Armor Class
12
Hit Points
19 (3d10 + 3)
Speed
5 ft., fly 60 ft.
Challenge
1/4 (50 XP)
STR
DEX
CON
INT
WIS
CHA
13 (+1)
15 (+2)
12 (+1)
10 (+0)
14 (+2)
10 (+0)
Damage resistances
necrotic, radiant
Senses
darkvision 120 ft., passive Perception 16
Languages
Celestial; understands Common, Elvish, and Sylvan but can’t speak them
Traits
Flyby. The owl doesn’t provoke an Opportunity Attack when it flies out of an enemy’s reach.
Spellcasting. The owl casts one of the following spells, requiring no spell components and using Wisdom as the spellcasting ability:
At Will: Detect Evil and Good, Detect Magic
1/Day: Clairvoyance
