DIRE BEAR
Large Animal
Hit Dice: 12d8+51 (105 hp)
Initiative: +1
Speed: 40 ft. (8 squares)
Armor Class: 17 (–1 size, +1 Dex, +7 natural), touch 10, flat-footed 16
Base Attack/Grapple: +9/+23
Attack: Claw +19 melee (2d4+10)
Full Attack: 2 claws +19 melee (2d4+10) and bite +13 melee (2d8+5)
Space/Reach: 10 ft./5 ft.
Special Attacks: Improved grab
Special Qualities: Low-light vision, scent
Saves: Fort +12, Ref +9, Will +9
Abilities: Str 31, Dex 13, Con 19, Int 2, Wis 12, Cha 10
Skills: Listen +10, Spot +10, Swim +13
Feats: Alertness, Endurance, Run, Toughness, Weapon Focus (claw)
Environment: Cold forests
Organization: Solitary or pair
Challenge Rating: 7
Treasure: None
Alignment: Always neutral
Advancement: 13–16 HD (Large); 17–36 HD (Huge)
Level Adjustment: —
This hulking bear has bony brow ridges and claws like sickles, with a wildness and destructive gleam in its cold, piercing eyes.
The omnivorous dire bear usually does not bother creatures that try to avoid it, but will aggressively defend a kill or other source of food. It will not hesitate to rip apart anything that might contain something edible.
A typical dire bear is 12 feet long and weighs as much as 8,000 pounds.
Combat
A dire bear attacks by tearing at opponents with its claws.
Improved Grab (Ex): To use this ability, a dire bear must hit with a claw attack. It can then attempt to start a grapple as a free action without provoking an attack of opportunity.
