← Back to Monster List

Winter Wolf

• Size: Large
• Type: Monstrosity
• Alignment: Neutral Evil
• AC: 13
• Initiative: +1 (11)
• HP: 75 (10d10 + 20)
• Speed: 50 ft.

ATTR	VAL	MOD	SAVE
STR	18	+4	+4
DEX	13	+1	+1
CON	14	+2	+2
INT	7	-2	-2
WIS	12	+1	+1
CHA	8	-1	-1

• Skills: Perception +5, Stealth +3
• Immunities: Cold
• Senses: Darkvision 60 ft.; Passive Perception 15
• Languages: Common, Giant, Winter Wolf
• CR: 3 (XP 700; PB +2)

Traits

Pack Tactics. The wolf has Advantage on an attack roll against a creature if at least one of the wolf's allies is within 5 feet of the creature and the ally doesn't have the Incapacitated condition.

Snow Camouflage. The wolf has Advantage on Dexterity (Stealth) checks made to hide in snowy terrain.

Actions

Multiattack. The wolf makes two Bite attacks.

Bite. Melee Attack Roll: +6, reach 5 ft. Hit: 15 (2d10 + 4) Piercing damage. If the target is a creature, it must succeed on a DC 14 Strength saving throw or have the Prone condition.

Cold Breath (Recharge 5-6). Constitution Saving Throw: DC 12, each creature in a 15-foot Cone. Failure: 18 (4d8) Cold damage. Success: Half damage.

Lore & Background

Winter wolves are intelligent, evil wolves with supernatural cold abilities and a cunning that far exceeds that of their ordinary cousins. These large, white-furred predators inhabit arctic and subarctic regions where they can use their natural camouflage and cold immunity to hunt effectively. Their malevolent intelligence makes them capable of complex schemes and long-term planning, often allying with frost giants, white dragons, and other cold-dwelling creatures.

Living in harsh winter environments, winter wolves establish pack territories where they can hunt freely while avoiding the attention of civilized peoples. They delight in causing suffering through both physical violence and psychological torment, using their intelligence to devise cruel games with their prey. Their supernatural nature allows them to survive in conditions that would kill ordinary wolves, making them apex predators in frozen wastelands.

Combat Tactics

Winter wolves are pack hunters that combine physical attacks with their supernatural breath weapon to overwhelm enemies. They use their cold breath to slow and weaken groups of opponents before closing to melee range with coordinated attacks. Their immunity to cold damage makes them particularly effective in winter environments where they can use weather as an additional weapon.

In battle, winter wolves attempt to surround their enemies while using their breath weapons to create zones of supernatural cold that hinder movement and deal ongoing damage. They focus on isolating individual targets while their pack mates engage other enemies. Their intelligence allows them to adapt tactics based on enemy capabilities and exploit environmental advantages.

Encounter Ideas

1. The Frozen Hunt A pack of winter wolves stalks the party through a blizzard, using the weather conditions to mask their approach while picking off stragglers and weakened party members. The encounter tests survival skills as much as combat ability.

2. The Cold Alliance Winter wolves serve as scouts and shock troops for frost giants or white dragons, creating a multi-layered threat that combines different types of cold-based creatures working together toward common goals.

3. The Intelligent Predator A particularly clever winter wolf alpha devises elaborate traps and ambushes, demonstrating tactical thinking that surprises the party and forces them to adapt their approach to dealing with what they initially assumed was just a beast.

4. The Sacred Grove Winter wolves have claimed an area of spiritual significance, defiling it with their presence while using its inherent magic to enhance their own abilities. The party must cleanse the location while dealing with supernaturally empowered wolves.

Environmental Effects

• Supernatural Cold: Areas where winter wolves hunt become unnaturally frigid, affecting local weather patterns
• Frozen Trails: The wolves' passage leaves patches of ice and frost that can create hazardous terrain
• Predator Territory: Wildlife and normal wolves flee from areas claimed by winter wolf packs
• Cold Aura: The wolves' presence causes temperature drops that can be detected by sensitive individuals

Treasure

• Winter Wolf Pelt (200-800 gp): Thick fur that provides excellent insulation and resistance to cold damage
• Frost Essence (500-2000 gp): Concentrated cold energy that crystallizes around winter wolves after prolonged hunting
• Ice Crystals (100-500 gp): Supernatural ice that forms from the wolves' breath weapon and retains magical properties
• Frozen Prey (varies): Items and equipment preserved in ice from the wolves' previous victims
• Pack Coordination (varies): Information about territorial boundaries and the movements of other cold-dwelling creatures

Plot Hooks

1. The Endless Winter Winter wolves are somehow extending winter weather beyond its natural season, threatening agricultural areas and forcing the party to investigate the source of this supernatural climate change.

2. The Cold War Different packs of winter wolves compete for territory while ordinary wolf packs flee the region, creating ecological disruption that affects human communities dependent on natural wildlife patterns.

3. The Intelligent Network Winter wolves serve as messengers and coordinators for an alliance of evil cold-dwelling creatures, requiring the party to intercept their communications while avoiding their retribution.

4. The Corrupted Pack A pack of ordinary wolves has been transformed into winter wolves through dark magic, creating questions about whether this change can be reversed and who might be responsible for the transformation.