Owlbear

Last updated
Owlbear
Owlbear.JPG
An owlbear, pictured in the original Monster Manual (by Dave Sutherland, 1977) [1]
First appearance Greyhawk (1975)
In-universe information
TypeMagical beast
AlignmentNeutral

An owlbear (also owl bear) is a fictional creature originally created for the Dungeons & Dragons fantasy role-playing game. An owlbear is depicted as a cross between a bear and an owl, which "hugs" like a bear and attacks with its beak. Inspired by a plastic toy made in Hong Kong, [2] Gary Gygax created the owlbear and introduced the creature to the game in the 1975 Greyhawk supplement; [3] the creature has since appeared in every subsequent edition of the game. Owlbears, or similar beasts, also appear in several other fantasy role-playing games, video games and other media.

Contents

Creation

In the early 1970s, Gary Gygax was playing Chainmail , a wargame that also served as a precursor of Dungeons & Dragons. In order to give his players as many different challenges as possible, Gygax was always on the look-out for new monsters. Although he was able to draw on pulp fiction and sword and sorcery stories for many of them, he also looked through dime stores for figurines that could be used in battle. On one of those occasions, he came across a bag of small plastic toys euphemistically labeled "prehistoric animals". Made in Hong Kong, the set included monsters from Japanese "Kaiju" films such as Ultraman and the Godzilla franchise. Several of these were odd enough to catch his eye, and he used them to represent several new monsters, including the owlbear, the bulette and the rust monster. [4] [5]

Concept

The owlbear is depicted as an eight to ten foot (2.5–3 meter) tall cross between a bear and an owl. According to descriptions in Dungeons & Dragons source books, owlbears are carnivorous creatures, famed for their aggression and ferocity; [6] they live in mated pairs in caves and hunt any creature bigger than a mouse. [6] They use a "hug" and their beak to attack. In the game's third edition, it was categorized as a "magical beast".

The actual in-game origin of the owlbear has never been definitively revealed, but the various Monster Manual editions indicate that it is probably the product of a wizard's experiments. Within the franchise's mythology, the lich Thessalar claims to have created them, but his insanity and egomania put the accuracy of this claim in doubt. [7] In the 5th edition, some elves claim that owlbears have existed for millennia and older fey say that they have always existed in the Feywild. [8]

Within the Dungeons & Dragons system and in other role-playing games, the owlbear usually serves as a "monster". Within the context of RPGs, "monster" is a generic term to describe potentially hostile beings and obstacles for the players to overcome. [9] This role is also the one the owlbear was originally designed for. [1] [3]

Publication history

The owlbear is among the earliest monsters in Dungeons & Dragons, and, like the bulette and the rust monster, was inspired by a Hong Kong–made plastic toy purchased by Gary Gygax for use as a miniature in a Chainmail game. [2]

Dungeons & Dragons

The owl bear was introduced to the game in its first supplement, Greyhawk (1975). [3] It is described as a "horrid creature" which "hugs" like a bear, and deals damage with its beak. The owlbear is also listed on random encounter tables in Eldritch Wizardry , the third supplement. [10] The illustration shows a bear-like creature on all fours, and bears no resemblance to the plastic toy that had given Gygax his original inspiration. [11] :66

Advanced Dungeons & Dragons 1st edition

The owlbear appears in the first edition Monster Manual (1977), [1] where it is described as a "horrible creature that inhabits tangled forest regions, and attacks with its great claws and snapping beak". The illustration of the owlbear shown in the Monster Manual was done by Dave Sutherland, and closely correlates to Gygax's original plastic toy. [11] :66

Basic Dungeons & Dragons

This edition of the D&D game included its own owl bear, in the Dungeons & Dragons Basic Set (1981 and 1983). [12] [13] [14] The owl bear was also later featured in the Dungeons & Dragons Game set (1991), [15] the Dungeons & Dragons Rules Cyclopedia (1991), [16] the Classic Dungeons & Dragons Game set (1994), [17] and the Dungeons & Dragons Adventure Game set (1999). [18]

Advanced Dungeons & Dragons 2nd edition

The owlbear appears first in the Monstrous Compendium Volume One (1989), [19] and is reprinted in the Monstrous Manual (1993). [20]

The owlbear appeared in the Dark Sun setting in the adventure Black Spine (1994). [21]

The owlbear was detailed in Dragon #214 (February 1995), in "The Ecology of the Owlbear", which also included the arctic owlbear and the winged owlbear. [22] These variants were later reprinted in the Monstrous Compendium Annual Volume Three (1996). [23]

The greater owlbear appeared in an adventure in Dungeon #63 (July 1997). [24]

Dungeons & Dragons 3rd edition

The owlbear appears in the Monster Manual for this edition (2000). [25]

The owlbear appeared on the Wizards of the Coast website for the Chainmail game, in 2000. [26]

The winged owlbear in adult and juvenile form appeared in Dungeon #84 (January 2001). [27]

The supplemental book Unapproachable East features a feat, an ability that player characters can obtain, named "owlbear berserker" that allows a player character to use a ferocious owlbear-like fighting style. [28]

Dungeons & Dragons 3.5

The owlbear appears in the revised Monster Manual for this edition (2003) as well as the owlbear skeleton under the skeleton entry. [29]

The ancient owlbear appeared in Dungeon #107 (February 2004). [30]

The Ankholian owlbear appeared in the Dragonlance, Bestiary of Krynn [31] (2004) and the Revised Bestiary of Krynn (2007). [32]

Dungeons & Dragons 4th edition

The owlbear appears in the Monster Manual for this edition (2008) along with the winterclaw owlbear. [33] The flavor text mentions that owlbears can be tamed to serve as guards.

Dungeons & Dragons Essentials

The owlbear as depicted in the 4th edition Monster Manual and the Monster Vault. The owlbear as shown in the D&D 4th Edition Essentials Monster Vault.png
The owlbear as depicted in the 4th edition Monster Manual and the Monster Vault.

The Monster Vault boxed set contains the owlbear as well as various subtypes like the young owlbear, trained owlbear, wind-claw owlbear and again the winterclaw owlbear. [34] The cover of the monster book included in the box and the box itself feature an owlbear alongside other monsters. [35]

Dungeons & Dragons 5th edition

In May 2012, Wizards of the Coast employee Jon Schindehette announced that the inclusion and design of the owlbear for the upcoming fifth edition of Dungeons & Dragons was being discussed. [36]

The monster was included in the "bestiary" of the D&D Next Playtest Package, [37] a compilation of files available for gamers interested in playtesting this Dungeons & Dragons version before its official release.

The owlbear is included in the Monster Manual of the full release of the game, published in 2014. The flavor text states that remote settlements have used owlbears for racing, and it also states the fact that owlbears are more likely to attack their tamer, than actually begin the race. [8]

In other role-playing games

Pathfinder Roleplaying Game

The owlbear is an official monster in the Pathfinder Roleplaying Game [38] that is based on Dungeons and Dragons 3.5 edition. It is included in the game's first bestiary, and elaborated on in Dungeon Denizens Revisited. Dungeon Denizens Revisited also includes a variant named siege owlbear. [39] [40] Furthermore, Paizo released a part of the series Behind the Monsters [41] dedicated to the owlbear, which features the bearowl, the possibly "even stranger offspring" of an owlbear. [42] Additional official Pathfinder variants of the owlbear are the arctic owlbear, Darklands owlbear, fruss owlbear, great hook-clawed owlbear, screaming owlbear, sleeyk owlbear, [43] slime owlbear, sloth owlbear as well as the spectral owlbear. [44]

The adventure module Pathfinder #7 – Curse of the Crimson Throne Chapter 1: "Edge of Anarchy" [45] originally published by Paizo Publishing for Dungeons and Dragons 3.5 edition under the OGL [46] contains a taxidermic owlbear. It is a regular owlbear with the skeleton template allowing the game master to turn a regular monster into an undead one. [47] A skeletal owlbear illustration was also done by Goodman Games artist Nick Greenwood. [48]

Retro-clones and OSR RPGs

As only the design of a role-playing game, not the rules are protected by U.S. copyright law, [49] it is possible for third-party publishers to release RPG systems based on the rules of Dungeons & Dragons without using the actual name or trademarks associated with the brand. These systems are referred to as "retro-clones" or "simulacra". [50] Games not directly using rules of a Dungeons & Dragons edition but claiming to capture the style are often called Old School Renaissance (OSR) games. [51]

The following retro-clones and OSR systems feature the owlbear as an opponent:

Other systems

A male half-owlbear, half-blue dragon hybrid named Dragore is featured as an antagonist in the Dungeons & Dragons 3.0 supplement Foul Locales: Beyond the Walls by Mystic Eye Games. [69]

The Manual of Monsters for Warcraft: The Roleplaying Game suggest to use the owlbear as an opponent. [70] A Warcraft-exclusive owlbear-like creature named wildkin is included as well.

Later on, Warcraft: The Roleplaying Game was renamed World of Warcraft: The Roleplaying Game. This edition's Monster Guide, equivalent to the Manual of Monsters, includes the owlbear-like "wildkin" described as a benign creature and associated with the game's Night Elf faction. A larger and more ferocious subtype listed is the "owlbeast". [71]

A third-party Dungeons & Dragons 3.5 edition quick reference card for the owlbear has been published as part of a series of Monster Knowledge Cards. [72]

The owlbears appears in the HackMaster 4th edition Hacklopedia of Beasts Volume VI [73] and the HackMaster 5th edition Hacklopedia of Beasts. [74] Variants included are the lesser owlbear, great horned owlbear and the spotted owlbear.

The HackMaster adventure module Little Keep on the Borderlands features owlbears as enemies and an owlbear on the cover. [75]

Blood & Treasure, modelled after Dungeons & Dragons 3.5 edition, features the owlbear as an opponent. [76] [77]

In video games

Dungeons & Dragons-licensed games

The owlbear as an opponent in Tower of Doom. Owlbear as shown in D&D Tower of Doom.png
The owlbear as an opponent in Tower of Doom.

Several video games based on Dungeons & Dragons feature the owlbear:

Warcraft franchise

The Wildkin as an NPC enemy in World of Warcraft. Wildkin as shown in WoW.jpeg
The Wildkin as an NPC enemy in World of Warcraft.

Adaptations of the owlbear appear in the Warcraft universe in several forms:

Other games

In other media

Reception

Chris Sims of the on-line magazine ComicsAlliance referred to the owlbear as "the second-greatest monster in the history of D&D". [109] Dave Chalker from Critical-Hits.com, a RPG blog which won the Ennie Gold 2011 Ennie Award for Best Blog, [110] recommended the use of the owlbear as a monster. [111] Rob Bricken from io9 named the owlbear as the sixth most memorable D&D monster. [112]

Related Research Articles

A gelatinous cube is a fictional monster from the Dungeons & Dragons fantasy role-playing game. It is described as a ten-foot cube of transparent gelatinous ooze, which is able to absorb and digest organic matter.

<i>Monster Manual</i> Sourcebook series of Dungeons & Dragons bestiaries

The Monster Manual is the primary bestiary sourcebook for monsters in the Dungeons & Dragons fantasy role-playing game, first published in 1977 by TSR. The Monster Manual was the first hardcover D&D book and includes monsters derived from mythology and folklore, as well as creatures created specifically for D&D. Creature descriptions include game-specific statistics, a brief description of its habits and habitats, and typically an image of the creature. Along with the Player's Handbook and Dungeon Master's Guide, the Monster Manual is one of the three "core rulebooks" in most editions of the D&D game. As such, new editions of the Monster Manual have been released for each edition of D&D. Due to the level of detail and illustration included in the 1977 release, the book was cited as a pivotal example of a new style of wargame books. Future editions would draw on various sources and act as a compendium of published monsters.

<i>Fiend Folio</i> Dungeons & Dragons monsters book

Fiend Folio is the name of three separate products published for successive editions of the fantasy role-playing game Dungeons & Dragons (D&D). All three are collections of monsters.

A displacer beast is a fictional evil feline creature created for the Dungeons & Dragons role-playing game in 1975; it has subsequently been included in every edition of the game to the present day.

Troll (<i>Dungeons & Dragons</i>) Fictional monster in Dungeons & Dragons

Trolls are fictional monsters in the Dungeons & Dragons roleplaying game.

Several different editions of the Dungeons & Dragons (D&D) fantasy role-playing game have been produced since 1974. The current publisher of D&D, Wizards of the Coast, produces new materials only for the most current edition of the game. However, many D&D fans continue to play older versions of the game and some third-party companies continue to publish materials compatible with these older editions.

Mimic (<i>Dungeons & Dragons</i>) Shape-shifting monster from fantasy role-playing games

In the Dungeons & Dragons fantasy role-playing game, the mimic is a type of fictional monster. It is portrayed as being able to change its shape to disguise its body as an inanimate object, commonly a chest. The mimic uses a powerful adhesive that holds fast to creatures that touch it, allowing the mimic to beat its victims with its powerful pseudopods. The mimic was introduced in the first edition Advanced Dungeons & Dragons game's original Monster Manual. The mimic has appeared in subsequent editions. Several variants of the creature have been introduced, with a variety of abilities and sizes.

Orc (<i>Dungeons & Dragons</i>)

In the Dungeons & Dragons role-playing game, orcs are a primitive race of savage, bestial, barbaric humanoid.

Kobold (<i>Dungeons & Dragons</i>) Fictional species in Dungeons & Dragons

Kobolds are a fictional race of humanoid creatures featured in the Dungeons & Dragons roleplaying game and other fantasy media. They are often depicted as small reptilian humanoids with long tails, distantly related to dragons.

Goblin (<i>Dungeons & Dragons</i>) Fictional monster from Dungeons & Dragons

In the Dungeons & Dragons fantasy role-playing game, goblins are a common and fairly weak race of evil humanoid monsters. Goblins are non-human monsters that low-level player characters often face in combat.

Centaur (<i>Dungeons & Dragons</i>)

In the Dungeons & Dragons fantasy role-playing game, the centaur is a large monstrous humanoid. Based upon the centaurs of Greek myth, a centaur in the game resembles a human with the lower body of a horse.

Giant (<i>Dungeons & Dragons</i>) Large humanoid creature in "Dungeons & Dragons"

In the Dungeons & Dragons fantasy role-playing game, giants are a collection of very large humanoid creatures based on giants of legend, or in third edition, a "creature type".

<i>The Lost Caverns of Tsojcanth</i> Role-playing game adventure

The Lost Caverns of Tsojcanth is an adventure module for the Dungeons & Dragons fantasy role-playing game. It was written by Gary Gygax and published by TSR in 1982 for the first edition Advanced Dungeons & Dragons (AD&D) rules. The 64-page adventure bears the code "S4" and is set in the Greyhawk campaign setting. It is divided into two parts, a 32-page adventure, and a 32-page booklet of monsters and magic items. The plot involves the player characters investigating rumors of lost treasure. After traversing a wilderness and two levels of dungeons, the players face Drelnza, the vampiric daughter of long-deceased archmage Iggwilv.

Lich (<i>Dungeons & Dragons</i>) Undead creature in "Dungeons & Dragons"

The lich is an undead creature found in the Dungeons & Dragons (D&D) fantasy role-playing game. Liches are spellcasters who seek to defy death by magical means.

Vampire (<i>Dungeons & Dragons</i>) Fictional monster from Dungeons & Dragons

In the Dungeons & Dragons fantasy role-playing game, a vampire is an undead creature. A humanoid or monstrous humanoid creature can become a vampire, and looks as it did in life, with pale skin, haunting red eyes, and a feral cast to its features. A new vampire is created when another vampire drains the life out of a living creature. Its depiction is related to those in the 1930s and 1940s Hollywood Dracula and monster movies. In writing vampires into the game, as with other creatures arising in folklore, the authors had to consider what elements arising in more recent popular culture should be incorporated into their description and characteristics.

Tritons are a fictional species in the Dungeons & Dragons fantasy role-playing game.

In the Dungeons & Dragons fantasy roleplaying game, the intellect devourer is a type of fictional monster.

Monsters in <i>Dungeons & Dragons</i> Group of fictitious creatures

In the Dungeons & Dragons fantasy role-playing game, the term monster refers to a variety of creatures, some adapted from folklore and legends and others invented specifically for the game. Included are traditional monsters such as dragons, supernatural creatures such as ghosts, and mundane or fantastic animals. A defining feature of the game, is that monsters are typically obstacles that players must overcome to progress through the game. Beginning with the first edition in 1974, a catalog of game monsters (bestiary) was included along with other game manuals, first called Monsters & Treasure and now called the Monster Manual. As an essential part of Dungeons & Dragons, many of its monsters have become iconic and recognizable even outside D&D, becoming influential in video games, fiction, and popular culture.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Gargoyle (monster)</span> A fantasy creature inspired by the architectural Gargoyle element

The gargoyle is a fantasy and horror monster inspired by the gargoyle architectural element. While they were believed in mythology to frighten away evil spirits, the idea of such statues physically coming to life is a more recent notion. Like golems, they are usually made of magically animated or transformed stone, but have animal or chimera traits and are often guardians of a place such as a cathedral or castle. They can also be depicted as vessels for demonic possession or as a living species resembling statues.

Gnome (<i>Dungeons & Dragons</i>) Race in Dungeons & Dragons

In the Dungeons & Dragons fantasy role-playing game, gnomes are one of the core races available for play as player characters. Some speculate that they are closely related to dwarves; however, gnomes are smaller and more tolerant of other races, nature, and magic. Depending on the setting and subrace, they are often skilled with illusion magic or engineering. Gnomes are small humanoids, standing 3–3.5 feet (91–107 cm) tall.

References

  1. 1 2 3 Gygax, Gary. Monster Manual (TSR, 1977)
  2. 1 2 Greenwood, Ed, "Ecology of the Rust Monster." Dragon #88 (TSR, 1984). Account was later re-printed in the Ecology of the Rust Monster article in issue #346.
  3. 1 2 3 Gygax, Gary and Robert Kuntz. Supplement I: Greyhawk (TSR, 1975)
  4. Gygax: "There was a set of plastic toys laughlingly labelled as dinosaurs [if I remember right]. I frequented the local dime stores back in the late 60s and early 70s searching for toys that would suit tabletop fantasy gaming. The said bag contained three we incorporated—the bulette, the owl bear, and the rust monster." "Gary Gygax: Q & A (Part I, Page 8)". EN World. 2002-09-06. Archived from the original on 2011-06-14. Retrieved 2009-03-15.
  5. "Owlbears, Rust Monsters and Bulettes, Oh My! – Tony DiTerlizzi" . Retrieved 2023-11-05.
  6. 1 2 "Owlbear :: d20srd.org". www.d20srd.org.
  7. Jacobs, James. "Into the Wormcrawl Fissure." Dungeon #134 (Pazio Publishing, 2006)
  8. 1 2 Dungeons and Dragons 5E Monster Manual. 2014. p. 249.
  9. Slavicsek, Bill and Richard Baker. Dungeons & Dragons for Dummies (Wiley Publishing, 2005)
  10. Gygax, Gary and Brian Blume. Supplement III: Eldritch Wizardry (TSR, 1976).
  11. 1 2 3 Witwer, Michael; Newman, Kyle; Witwer, Sam (2018), Art & Arcana: A Visual History, Ten Speed Press
  12. Gygax, Gary, and Dave Arneson [1974], edited by Tom Moldvay. Dungeons & Dragons Basic Set (TSR, 1981).
  13. Gygax, Gary, and Dave Arneson [1974], edited by Frank Mentzer. Dungeons & Dragons Set 1: Basic Rules (TSR, 1983).
  14. Schick, Lawrence (1991). Heroic Worlds: A History and Guide to Role-Playing Games. Prometheus Books. pp. 130–131. ISBN   0-87975-653-5.
  15. Brown, Timothy B., Troy Denning The New Easy to Master Dungeons & Dragons Game (TSR, 1991).
  16. Allston, Aaron, Steven E. Schend, Jon Pickens, and Dori Watry. Dungeons & Dragons Rules Cyclopedia (TSR, 1991).
  17. Brown, Timothy B., Troy Denning The Classic Dungeons & Dragons Game (TSR, 1994).
  18. Slavicsek, Bill. Dungeons & Dragons Adventure Game (TSR, 1999).
  19. Cook, David, et al. Monstrous Compendium Volume One (TSR, 1989).
  20. Stewart, Doug, ed. Monstrous Manual (TSR, 1994).
  21. Baas, Walter, Dustin Browder, Tom Prusa, Jonathan Tweet. Black Spine (TSR, 1994).
  22. Richards, Jonathan M. "The Ecology of the Owlbear." Dragon #214 (TSR, 1995).
  23. Pickens, Jon, ed. Monstrous Compendium Annual Volume Three (TSR, 1996).
  24. Doyle, Chris. "Hunt for a Hierophant" Dungeon #63 (TSR, 1997).
  25. Cook, Monte, Jonathan Tweet, and Skip Williams. Monster Manual (Wizards of the Coast, 2000).
  26. "Wizards of the Coast". Archived from the original on 2009-06-04.
  27. Doyle, Chris. "The Dying of the Light" Dungeon #84 (Wizards of the Coast, 2001).
  28. Baker, Richard, Matt Forbeck, and Sean K. Reynolds. Unapproachable East (Wizards of the Coast, 2003).
  29. Williams, Skip, ed. Monster Manual: Core Rulebook III v.3.5 (Wizards of the Coast, 2003).
  30. Brown, Rusell. "Mellorn Hospitality" Dungeon #107 (Wizards of the Coast, 2004).
  31. Banks, Cam, André La Roche. Bestiary of Krynn (Sovereign Press, 2004).
  32. Banks, Cam, André La Roche. Bestiary of Krynn Revised (Sovereign Press, 2007).
  33. Mearls, Mike, Stephen Schubert, and James Wyatt. Monster Manual (Wizards of the Coast, 2008).
  34. Thompson, Rodney, Logan Bonner, and Matthew Sernett. Monster Vault (Wizards of the Coast, 2010).
  35. Monster Vault – An Essential D&D Game Supplement at the Wizards of the Coast official website
  36. Schindehette, Jon (May 16, 2012). "The Making of an Owlbear". Dragon's-Eye View . Archived from the original on May 19, 2012. Retrieved November 5, 2012.
  37. Official D&D Next Playtest Package Bestiary, version from January 28, 2013
  38. "Owlbear". legacy.aonprd.com.
  39. Boomer, Clinton, Jason Bulmahn, Joshua J. Frost, Nicolas Logue, Robert McCreary, Jason Nelson, Richard Pett, Sean K Reynolds, James L. Sutter, and Greg A. Vaughan. Dungeon Denizens Revisited – A Pathfinder Chronicles Supplement (Paizo Publishing, 2009)
  40. "Owlbear, Siege (3.5E) – d20PFSRD". www.d20pfsrd.com.
  41. "paizo.com - Store / Fat Goblin Games". paizo.com.
  42. Boyd, Bret. Behind the Monsters: Owlbear (Paizo Publishing, 2007)
  43. "Owlbear, Sleeyk – d20PFSRD". www.d20pfsrd.com.
  44. "Owlbear – d20PFSRD". www.d20pfsrd.com.
  45. Logue, Nicolas. Pathfinder #7 – Curse of the Crimson Throne Chapter 1: "Edge of Anarchy" (Paizo Publishing, 2008)
  46. "paizo.com - Pathfinder #7—Curse of the Crimson Throne Chapter 1: "Edge of Anarchy" (OGL)". paizo.com.
  47. "Skeleton, Owlbear – d20PFSRD". www.d20pfsrd.com.
  48. "Skeletal owlbear illustration by Nick Greenwood". Archived from the original on January 29, 2013.
  49. "US Copyright Office". Archived from the original on 2014-02-09. Retrieved 2008-05-22.
  50. Varney, Allen. "Retro-clones". The Escapist. Archived from the original on 15 April 2014. Retrieved 27 July 2010.
  51. Maliszewski, James (21 August 2009). "Full Circle: A History of the Old School Revival". The Escapist. Retrieved November 13, 2012.
  52. Finch, Matthew J. Swords & Wizardry Monster Book (Self-published, 2008)
  53. Proctor, Daniel. Labyrinth Lords – Classic Fantasy Roleplaying Game of Labyrinths, Magic, and Monsters fourth revised edition (Goblinoid Games, 2009)
  54. Blacky the Blackball. Dark Dungeons (Gratis Games, 2010)
  55. Blacky the Blackball. Darker Dungeons (Gratis Games, 2011)
  56. Blacky the Blackball. Darkest Dungeons (Gratis Games, 2012)
  57. Marshall, Stuart. OSRIC – Old School Reference and Index Compilation v2.2 (Knights & Knaves, 2011)
  58. Florio, Vincent, Bryan Manahan, Mike Stewart and Michael Thomas. Mazes & Perisl (Wild Games Productions, 2012)
  59. Allison, Tavis, Alexander Macris, Greg Tito. Adventurer Conqueror King System (Autarch, 2012)
  60. Curtis, Michael, Joseph Goodman, Harley Stroh, Dieter Zimmerman. Dungeon Crawl Classics Role Playing Game (Autarch, 2012)
  61. Gonnerman, Chris, Ray Allen, William D. Smith, Jr., Nick Bogan, Evan Moore, Stuart Marshall, Emiliano Marchetti, Antonio Eleuteri, Luigi Castellani, Michael Hensley, Nazim N. Karaca, Arthur Reyes, Todd Roe, and Jim Bobb. Basic Fantasy Role-Playing Game 2nd Edition (Release 75, 2008)
  62. Gonnerman, Chris, Ray Allen, Ola Berg, James D. Jarvis, R. Kevin Smoot, Omer Golan-Joel, D. Bamberger, MtBlack, Maliki, Bill Beatty, Sidney Parham, and J. D. Neal. The Basic Fantasy Field Guide of Creatures Malevolent and Benign (Release 2, 2010)
  63. Stukey, Randall S. Microlite74 Basic Version 3.0 (Self-published, 2011)
  64. Stukey, Randall S. Microlite74 Standard Version 3.0 (Self-published, 2011)
  65. Stukey, Randall S. Microlite74 Extended Version 3.0 (Self-published, 2011)
  66. Brown, Justen. For Gold & Glory (Self-published, 2011)
  67. Chenault, Stephen, Robert Doyel. Castles & Crusades Monsters & Treasure (Troll Lord Games, 2005)
  68. Crane, Luke, Thor Olavsu, Anthony Hersey and Peter Tierney. Burning THAC0 (Self-published, 2005)
  69. Boyd, Bret, Charles W. Plemons III, John White. Foul Locales: Beyond the Walls (Mystic Eye Games, 2002)
  70. Borgstrom, Rebecca, Eric Brennan, Genevieve Cogman, and Michael Goodwin. Manual of Monsters (Sword & Sorcery, 2003)
  71. Cassada, Jackie, Brandon Crowley, Richard Farrese, Bob Fitch, Bruce Graw, Luke Johnson, Adam Loyd, Andrew Rowe, and Amber E. Scott. Manual Guide (Sword & Sorcery, 2007)
  72. Thomson, Connie J., Robert W. Thomson. GM's Aid IV: Monster Knowledge Cards Volume 2: Gargoyle to Owlbear (4 Winds Fantasy Gaming, 2009)
  73. Blackburn, Jolly R., Brian Jelke, Steve Johansson, and David S. Kenzer. Hacklopcedia of Beasts Volume VI (Kenzer & Company, 2001)
  74. Blackburn, Jolly R., Brian Jelke, Steve Johansson, and David S. Kenzer. Hacklopcedia of Beasts (Kenzer and Company, 2011)
  75. Blackburn, Jolly R., Brian Jelke, Steve Johansson, David S. Kenzer, Noah Kolman, Jamie LaFountain, and Don Morgan. B2: Little Keep on the Borderlands (Kenzer and Company, 2002)
  76. Stater, John. Blood & Treasure: Treasure Keeper's Tome (Self-published, 2012)
  77. Stater, John. Blood & Treasure: Complete Game (Self-published, 2012)
  78. "DUNGEONS & DRAGONS TOWER OF DOOM || ENEMIES". www.arcadequartermaster.com.
  79. "SHADOW OVER MYSTARA || ENEMIES". www.arcadequartermaster.com.
  80. "Dungeons & Dragons Collection (1999)". MobyGames.
  81. "Wildkin". Mojo StormStout's Warcraft III Strategy Guide. Blizzard Entertainment . Retrieved 2006-12-09.
  82. Warcraft III: Reign of Chaos User Manual (Blizzard Entertainment, 2002)
  83. "Balance talent tree of the Druid class in World of Warcraft". Blizzard Entertainment. Retrieved 2008-06-04.
  84. "Owlbear". NetHack Wiki. Retrieved 2020-04-26.
  85. "Illia's Everquest Bestiary :: EverQuest :: ZAM".
  86. "EverQuest II Bestiary at MMO Database". Archived from the original on 2013-02-02. Retrieved 2013-02-08.
  87. Anthony (July 21, 2009). "Phantasy Star Game Blog Part II: Owl Bears Make Me Cry". Gamer Sushi. Retrieved January 13, 2013.
  88. "Monsters > Dragon Quest V SFC > Dragons Den: Dragon Quest Fansite". www.woodus.com.
  89. "Monsters > Dragon Quest V PS2 > Dragons Den: Dragon Quest Fansite". www.woodus.com.
  90. "Monsters > Dragon Quest V DS > Dragons Den: Dragon Quest Fansite". www.woodus.com.
  91. "Abyssal Chronicles ver3 (Beta) - Tales of Destiny 2 (PSP) - FAQ/Walkthrough by Kouli".
  92. Sage Knowledge 30 of 78 (Urstrix Bestiary entry). Square Enix (2006-10-31). Final Fantasy XII (PlayStation 2).
  93. "Owlbear Garden review at Gamezebo.com". 2011-11-28. Archived from the original on 2012-11-20. Retrieved 2012-11-10.
  94. "Kingdom Conquest Official Homepage". Archived from the original on 2013-10-14. Retrieved 2012-12-12.
  95. "Lineage Library Monster Index". Archived from the original on 2012-10-30. Retrieved 2013-02-15.
  96. "Monster: owlbear - Cataclysm: Dark Days Ahead". cdda-trunk.chezzo.com. Retrieved 2019-12-18.
  97. Mini Galleries Archive: Harbinger at the Wizards of the Coast official website
  98. Mini Galleries Archive: Against the Giants at the Wizards of the Coast official website
  99. "Dungeon! Board Game". Wizards of the Coast. 16 October 2012. Archived from the original on May 1, 2012. Retrieved 17 October 2012.
  100. "Dungeon! Board Game". The Gaming Gang. 18 October 2012. Archived from the original on May 1, 2012. Retrieved 9 November 2012.
  101. Lee, Peter, Rodney Thompson. Lords of Waterdeep. (Wizards of the Coast, 2012). Board Game.
  102. "322 Maybe the Quailtiger? - Giant in the Playground Games". www.giantitp.com.
  103. "Nightripper in Sagard the Barbarian".
  104. Mirza Aaqib Beg, Banished from the Hero’s Party Episode 5: Release Date and Spoilers. The Cinemaholic, October 28, 2021. Retrieved April 16, 2022.
  105. Michael Triay, English Dub Review: Banished from the Hero’s Party, I Decided to Live a Quiet Life in the Countryside: “You’re Not a True Comrade”. Bubbleblabber, October 22, 2021. Retrieved April 16, 2022.
  106. Boo, Bernard (2023-03-31). "The Monsters of Dungeons & Dragons: Honor Among Thieves - Gelatinous Cube, Owlbear, Mimic, and More!". Den of Geek. Retrieved 2023-04-03.
  107. Romano, Nick (March 31, 2023). "How 'Dungeons & Dragons' pulled off the Wild Shape escape". Entertainment Weekly. Retrieved 2023-04-03.
  108. Shayo, Lukas (2023-04-01). "DnD Movie Has Perfect Response To Owlbear Controversy In New Commercial". Screen Rant. Retrieved 2023-04-03.
  109. Sims, Chris (October 19, 2012). "Ask Chris #125: The Greatest Monsters in 'Dungeons & Dragons'". ComicsAlliance. Archived from the original on October 21, 2012. Retrieved November 10, 2012.
  110. "2011 Noms and Winners of the Ennie Awards". Archived from the original on 2019-03-12. Retrieved 2013-02-08.
  111. Chalker, Dave (February 26, 2009). "10 Monsters I Use in Every D&D Campaign (And 5 I Don't)". Critical-Hits.com. Retrieved February 8, 2013.{{cite journal}}: Cite journal requires |journal= (help)
  112. Bricken, Rob (September 16, 2013). "The 10 Most Memorable Dungeons & Dragons Monsters". io9. Retrieved January 20, 2016.{{cite journal}}: Cite journal requires |journal= (help)