bludgeoning, piercing, and slashing from nonmagical attacks not made with silvered weapons
Senses
passive Perception 17
Languages
Common
Traits
Shapechanger. The werebear can use its action to polymorph into a Large bear-humanoid hybrid or into a Large bear, or back into its true form, which is humanoid. Its statistics, other than its size and AC, are the same in each form. Any equipment it is wearing or carrying isn't transformed. It reverts to its true form if it dies.
Keen Smell. The werebear has advantage on Wisdom (Perception) checks that rely on smell.
Actions
Multiattack. In bear form, the werebear makes two claw attacks. In humanoid form, it makes two greataxe attacks. In hybrid form, it can attack like a bear or a humanoid.
Greataxe. Melee Weapon Attack: +7 to hit, reach 5 ft., one target. Hit: 10 (1d12 + 4) slashing damage.
How many werebears (human form) for a fight?
A werebear (human form) is worth 1,800 XP. Using the 2024 encounter budgets (SRD 5.2), this is how many werebears (human form) 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
4th
—
—
1
5th
1
1
2
6th
1
2
3
7th
1
2
3
8th
2
3
4
9th
2
4
5
10th
3
5
6
11th
4
6
9
12th
4
8
10
13th
5
9
12
14th
6
10
12+
15th
7
12
12+
16th
8
12+
12+
17th
10
12+
12+
18th
11
12+
12+
19th
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 werebear (human form) compares at CR 5
Against the 26 other challenge 5 monsters in the SRD 5.1, the werebear (human form) has more hit points than 23 of them, which makes it one of the toughest at its CR. See every CR 5 monster.
Statistic
Werebear, Human Form
CR 5 average
Armor Class
10
14.7
Hit points
135
101
Best attack bonus
+7
+7
Werebear, Human Form 2024 stat block
The 2024 Monster Manual revised the werebear, human form, and the SRD 5.2 carries the new stat block. What changed:
Its creature type changed from humanoid to monstrosity.
Armor Class: 10 → 15.
New in its stat block: Handaxe and Shape-Shift.
Gone from it: Shapechanger, Keen Smell and Greataxe.
Armor Class
15
Hit Points
135 (18d8 + 54)
Speed
30 ft.
Challenge
5 (1,800 XP)
STR
DEX
CON
INT
WIS
CHA
19 (+4)
10 (+0)
17 (+3)
11 (+0)
12 (+1)
12 (+1)
Senses
darkvision 60 ft., passive Perception 17
Languages
Common (can’t speak in bear form)
Gear
Handaxes (4)
Actions
Multiattack. The werebear makes two attacks, using Handaxe or Rend in any combination. It can replace one attack with a Bite attack.
Handaxe. Melee or Ranged Attack Roll: +7, reach 5 ft or range 20/60 ft. Hit: 14 (3d6 + 4) Slashing damage.
Bonus actions
Shape-Shift. The werebear shape-shifts into a Large bear-humanoid hybrid form or a Large bear, or it returns to its true humanoid form. Its game statistics, other than its size, are the same in each form. Any equipment it is wearing or carrying isn’t transformed.
