Keen Smell. The lion has advantage on Wisdom (Perception) checks that rely on smell.
Pack Tactics. The lion has advantage on an attack roll against a creature if at least one of the lion's allies is within 5 ft. of the creature and the ally isn't incapacitated.
Pounce. If the lion moves at least 20 ft. straight toward a creature and then hits it with a claw attack on the same turn, that target must succeed on a DC 13 Strength saving throw or be knocked prone. If the target is prone, the lion can make one bite attack against it as a bonus action.
Running Leap. With a 10-foot running start, the lion can long jump up to 25 ft..
Actions
Bite. Melee Weapon Attack: +5 to hit, reach 5 ft., one target. Hit: 7 (1d8 + 3) piercing damage.
Claw. Melee Weapon Attack: +5 to hit, reach 5 ft., one target. Hit: 6 (1d6 + 3) slashing damage.
How many lions for a fight?
A lion is worth 200 XP. Using the 2024 encounter budgets (SRD 5.2), this is how many lions 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
1
1
2
2nd
2
3
4
3rd
3
4
8
4th
5
7
10
5th
10
12+
12+
6th
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 lion compares at CR 1
Against the 24 other challenge 1 monsters in the SRD 5.1, the lion has more hit points than 9 of them, which makes it a little frailer than most at its CR. See every CR 1 monster.
Statistic
Lion
CR 1 average
Armor Class
12
12.9
Hit points
26
28
Best attack bonus
+5
+4
Lion 2024 stat block
The 2024 Monster Manual revised the lion, and the SRD 5.2 carries the new stat block. What changed:
Hit points: 26 → 22.
Ability scores: CON 13 → 11.
New in its stat block: Multiattack, Rend and Roar.
Gone from it: Keen Smell, Pounce, Bite and Claw.
Armor Class
12
Hit Points
22 (4d10)
Speed
50 ft.
Challenge
1 (200 XP)
STR
DEX
CON
INT
WIS
CHA
17 (+3)
15 (+2)
11 (+0)
3 (-4)
12 (+1)
8 (-1)
Senses
darkvision 60 ft., passive Perception 13
Languages
None
Traits
Pack Tactics. The lion has Advantage on an attack roll against a creature if at least one of the lion’s allies is within 5 feet of the creature and the ally doesn’t have the Incapacitated condition.
Running Leap. With a 10-foot running start, the lion can Long Jump up to 25 feet.
Actions
Multiattack. The lion makes two Rend attacks. It can replace one attack with a use of Roar.
Roar. Wisdom Saving Throw: DC 11, one creature within 15 feet. Failure: The target has the Frightened condition until the start of the lion’s next turn.
