Keen Smell. The panther has advantage on Wisdom (Perception) checks that rely on smell.
Pounce. If the panther 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 12 Strength saving throw or be knocked prone. If the target is prone, the panther can make one bite attack against it as a bonus action.
Actions
Bite. Melee Weapon Attack: +4 to hit, reach 5 ft., one target. Hit: 5 (1d6 + 2) piercing damage.
Claw. Melee Weapon Attack: +4 to hit, reach 5 ft., one target. Hit: 4 (1d4 + 2) slashing damage.
How many panthers for a fight?
A panther is worth 50 XP. Using the 2024 encounter budgets (SRD 5.2), this is how many panthers 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 panther compares at CR 1/4
Against the 31 other challenge 1/4 monsters in the SRD 5.1, the panther has more hit points than 10 of them, which makes it a little frailer than most at its CR. See every CR 1/4 monster.
Statistic
Panther
CR 1/4 average
Armor Class
12
11.8
Hit points
13
15
Best attack bonus
+4
+4
Panther 2024 stat block
The 2024 Monster Manual revised the panther, and the SRD 5.2 carries the new stat block. What changed:
