Roc
Gargantuan Monstrosity, unaligned
7,200 XP
Special Abilities
Keen Sight
The roc has advantage on Wisdom (Perception) checks that rely on sight.
Actions
Multiattack
The roc makes two attacks: one with its beak and one with its talons.
Beak
Melee Weapon Attack: +13 to hit, reach 10 ft., one target. Hit: 27 (4d8 + 9) piercing damage.
Talons
Melee Weapon Attack: +13 to hit, reach 5 ft., one target. Hit: 23 (4d6 + 9) slashing damage, and the target is grappled (escape DC 19). Until this grapple ends, the target is restrained, and the roc can't use its talons on another target.
Quick Reference
Running This Encounter
The Roc is a devastating aerial predator that dominates encounters through sheer size and power. Run it as an intelligent hunter that uses its mobility advantage to control the battlefield, diving in to attack before ascending beyond melee range. The creature's massive talons and beak make it a genuine threat to even well-armored parties, and its ability to fly at 120 feet per round means careful positioning and action economy become critical.
Combat Tactics
The Roc prioritizes using its superior mobility to attack vulnerable targets—particularly spellcasters and ranged characters—before pulling away to safety. It will grapple medium or smaller creatures with its talons and attempt to carry them aloft, either dropping them for massive fall damage or devouring them whole. If facing multiple melee combatants, it maintains aerial superiority, attacking from above and out of reach.
Environment & Setting
The Roc is ideally encountered in open skies, mountain peaks, or expansive canyons where its 120-foot flying speed gives it maximum tactical advantage. Encounters in confined spaces (dungeons, dense forests) significantly reduce its effectiveness and are less thematic.