How smart is an owlbear?

[Roger]

Let us consider the humble owlbear, and how smart one is. As far as I can tell from the Monster Manual, there's two entirely different interpretations:

1. The owlbear has an Int of 2! They're dumb! Seriously, owls are not that smart, and bears are not all that smart, and together, they don't get any smarter. They are beasts; they won't beat you at chess any time soon.

2. The owlbear has an Int modifier of +0! That's the same as an average human! If you put an owlbear up against a human in an opposed contest of Intelligence, they'll each win half the time. The owlbear is just as likely to pass an Intelligence check as a human is. They must be equally smart.

Which interpretation seems more correct?


Cheers,
Roger

 

[Nebulous]

I'm not really sure where you're going with this line of reasoning. It's just a predatory animal with animal instincts, nothing more or less. I think you're reading too much into it. And 1% of owlbears are actually excellent at chess.

 

[Rafe]

2. The owlbear has an Int modifier of +0! That's the same as an average human!

Int 2 is Int 2. It doesn't matter what its modifier is. The +0 just accounts for the +1/2 level mechanic.

 

[Mort_Q]

They're DUMB and ferocious. The modifier after the Int 2 includes the + 1/2 level.

[edit] Ninjas !!! [/edit]

 

[frankthedm]

If the players try some cockamamie plan to trick the owlbear without going through it's HP, the owlbear rolls its INT test without penalty.

 

[Tale]

He may be dumb, but he's experienced.