Keen Smell. The tiger has advantage on Wisdom (Perception) checks that rely on smell.
Pounce. If the tiger 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 14 Strength saving throw or be knocked prone. If the target is prone, the tiger can make one bite attack against it as a bonus action.
Actions
Bite. Melee Weapon Attack: +6 to hit, reach 5 ft., one target. Hit: 10 (1d10 + 5) piercing damage.
Claw. Melee Weapon Attack: +6 to hit, reach 5 ft., one target. Hit: 12 (2d6 + 5) slashing damage.
How many saber-toothed tigers for a fight?
A saber-toothed tiger is worth 450 XP. Using the 2024 encounter budgets (SRD 5.2), this is how many saber-toothed tigers 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
2nd
—
1
1
3rd
1
2
3
4th
2
3
4
5th
4
6
9
6th
5
8
12
7th
6
11
12+
8th
8
12+
12+
9th
11
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 saber-toothed tiger compares at CR 2
Against the 42 other challenge 2 monsters in the SRD 5.1, the saber-toothed tiger has more hit points than 27 of them, which makes it tougher than most at its CR. See every CR 2 monster.
Statistic
Saber-Toothed Tiger
CR 2 average
Armor Class
12
13
Hit points
52
47
Best attack bonus
+6
+5
Saber-Toothed Tiger 2024 stat block
The 2024 Monster Manual revised the saber-toothed tiger, and the SRD 5.2 carries the new stat block. What changed:
Armor Class: 12 → 13.
Ability scores: DEX 14 → 17.
New in its stat block: Running Leap, Multiattack, Rend and Nimble Escape.
Gone from it: Keen Smell, Pounce, Bite and Claw.
Armor Class
13
Hit Points
52 (7d10 + 14)
Speed
40 ft.
Challenge
2 (450 XP)
STR
DEX
CON
INT
WIS
CHA
18 (+4)
17 (+3)
15 (+2)
3 (-4)
12 (+1)
8 (-1)
Senses
darkvision 60 ft., passive Perception 15
Languages
None
Traits
Running Leap. With a 10-foot running start, the tiger can Long Jump up to 25 feet.
