Harness the Power – D&D’s Best Rideable Dinosaurs

Dungeons & Dragons is a game of high adventure, but if you play it well, it’s also a game full of dinosaurs to ride.

Since the dawn of history, mankind has sought only one thing. Defeat the time-traveling Rulons by harnessing the power of the dinosaurs, in order to drive them from the prehistoric land. Echoes of this battle are felt in the psyche today.

That’s why, since you were probably in 3rd grade, you’ve always wanted to ride a dinosaur. And now, through the power of Dungeons & Dragons, you can. Here are the best, easiest-to-ride dinos in all of 5th Edition.

Triceratops

Let’s start with the workhorse of the dinos, the triceratops. This majestic beast has three horns and an armored frill giving it a half-decent armor class. And at 95 hit points, a triceratops will continue to kick (well, stomp, for 3d10+6 damage) long after a warhorse has been stuck.

Add to that a bloody attack that can turn into a stomp charge with a movement speed of 50 feet? It’s just delicious.

Deinonychus (small rider only)

Unfortunately, your raptor dinosaurs are only suitable for small riders. Your dream of charging into battle on the back of a deadly claw-legged hunting dino only works if you’re a small creature, like a halfling or gnome.

But if you are? Not only do you get a fast mount, but you also get one that can pounce on its prey and knock it down with a devastating charge (though not as much as a triceratops).

If you are an average rider? Try an ax beak!

Quetzalcoatlus

Quetzalcoatlus soar above the battlefield and have the innate gift overview ability, which means they don’t seize attacks of opportunity when flying out of range of an opponent. Accordingly, from the back of a quetzalcoatlus you can throw enemies out of the sky. So will your mount, which is capable of inflicting an additional 6d6+2 on a charge over 30 feet.

But with a flight speed of 80 feet? It’s easy to manage.

Brontosaurus

These tall glasses of water are big beasts we know do move in herds. So why not tame one and use it as a mobile battle platform? Especially since he can deal devastating kicks and tail slams, to the tune of 5d8+5 or 6d8+5, with a massive range of 20 feet. Of course, you need to figure out where you’re going to keep it.

Tyrannosaurus Rex

It’s good to be the king. And if you want to be the king, you have to ride the king. The tyrant king. To the bank, or wherever you want, really. With a jaw that deals 4d12+7 damage, a tail attack that deals 3d8+7, and the ability to hold prey in its mouth, a T. Rex is an effective fighter.

If you can tame one in the first place. And keep it fed and cared for.

What’s your favorite ride-on dino?

Bell of Lost Souls Staff Writer and DM, JR covers RPGs of all stripes and eats the occasional sandwich. You can ask him either at [email protected]

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