Owlbear

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 erroneously 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.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."{{cite web | title = Gary Gygax: Q & A (Part I, Page 8) | publisher = EN World | date = 2002-09-06 | url = http://www.enworld.org/forum/archive-threads/167680-gary-gygax-q-part-xi-13.html | access-date = 2009-03-15 | archive-date = 2011-06-14 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20110614223411/http://www.enworld.org/forum/archive-threads/167680-gary-gygax-q-part-xi-13.html | url-status = dead }}{{Cite web |title=Owlbears, Rust Monsters and Bulettes, Oh My! – Tony DiTerlizzi |url=https://diterlizzi.com/essay/owlbears-rust-monsters-and-bulettes-oh-my/ |access-date=2023-11-05 |language=en-US}}

The owlbear is depicted as an {{convert|8|to|10|ft|m|round=0.5|spell=in|adj=mid|tall}} 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;{{Cite web|url=http://www.d20srd.org/srd/monsters/owlbear.htm|title=Owlbear :: d20srd.org|website=www.d20srd.org}} they live in mated pairs in caves and hunt any creature bigger than a mouse. 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.Jacobs, James. "Into the Wormcrawl Fissure." Dungeon #134 (Pazio Publishing, 2006) 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.{{Cite book|title=Dungeons and Dragons 5E Monster Manual|year=2014|pages=249}}

Within the Dungeons & Dragons system and in other role-playing games, the owlbear usually serves as a monster.

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.

The owl bear was introduced to the game in its first supplement, Greyhawk (1975). 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.Gygax, Gary and Brian Blume. Supplement III: Eldritch Wizardry (TSR, 1976). 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.{{Citation | last1 =Witwer | first1 =Michael | last2 =Newman | first2 =Kyle | last3=Witwer | first3= Sam | title =Art & Arcana: A Visual History | publisher =Ten Speed Press | year =2018}}{{rp|66}}

The owlbear appears in the first edition Monster Manual (1977), 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.{{rp|66}}

This edition of the D&D game included its own owl bear, in the Dungeons & Dragons Basic Set (1981 and 1983).Gygax, Gary, and Dave Arneson [1974], edited by Tom Moldvay. Dungeons & Dragons Basic Set (TSR, 1981).Gygax, Gary, and Dave Arneson [1974], edited by Frank Mentzer. Dungeons & Dragons Set 1: Basic Rules (TSR, 1983).{{cite book|last=Schick |first=Lawrence|title=Heroic Worlds: A History and Guide to Role-Playing Games|publisher=Prometheus Books |year=1991|isbn=0-87975-653-5 |pages=130–131}} The owl bear was also later featured in the Dungeons & Dragons Game set (1991),Brown, Timothy B., Troy Denning The New Easy to Master Dungeons & Dragons Game (TSR, 1991). the Dungeons & Dragons Rules Cyclopedia (1991),Allston, Aaron, Steven E. Schend, Jon Pickens, and Dori Watry. Dungeons & Dragons Rules Cyclopedia (TSR, 1991). the Classic Dungeons & Dragons Game set (1994),Brown, Timothy B., Troy Denning The Classic Dungeons & Dragons Game (TSR, 1994). and the Dungeons & Dragons Adventure Game set (1999).Slavicsek, Bill. Dungeons & Dragons Adventure Game (TSR, 1999).

The owlbear appears first in the Monstrous Compendium Volume One (1989),Cook, David, et al. Monstrous Compendium Volume One (TSR, 1989). and is reprinted in the Monstrous Manual (1993).Stewart, Doug, ed. Monstrous Manual (TSR, 1994).

The owlbear appeared in the Dark Sun setting in the adventure Black Spine (1994).Baas, Walter, Dustin Browder, Tom Prusa, Jonathan Tweet. Black Spine (TSR, 1994).

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.Richards, Jonathan M. "The Ecology of the Owlbear." Dragon #214 (TSR, 1995). These variants were later reprinted in the Monstrous Compendium Annual Volume Three (1996).Pickens, Jon, ed. Monstrous Compendium Annual Volume Three (TSR, 1996).

The greater owlbear appeared in an adventure in Dungeon #63 (July 1997).Doyle, Chris. "Hunt for a Hierophant" Dungeon #63 (TSR, 1997).

The owlbear appears in the Monster Manual for this edition (2000).Cook, Monte, Jonathan Tweet, and Skip Williams. Monster Manual (Wizards of the Coast, 2000).

The owlbear appeared on the Wizards of the Coast website for the Chainmail game, in 2000.{{Cite web|url=http://www.wizards.com/dnd/files/chainmail/BSAll.zip|title=Wizards of the Coast|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090604152346/http://www.wizards.com/dnd/files/chainmail/BSAll.zip |archive-date=2009-06-04 }}

The winged owlbear in adult and juvenile form appeared in Dungeon #84 (January 2001).Doyle, Chris. "The Dying of the Light" Dungeon #84 (Wizards of the Coast, 2001).

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.Baker, Richard, Matt Forbeck, and Sean K. Reynolds. Unapproachable East (Wizards of the Coast, 2003).

The owlbear appears in the revised Monster Manual for this edition (2003) as well as the owlbear skeleton under the skeleton entry.Williams, Skip, ed. Monster Manual: Core Rulebook III v.3.5 (Wizards of the Coast, 2003).

The ancient owlbear appeared in Dungeon #107 (February 2004).Brown, Rusell. "Mellorn Hospitality" Dungeon #107 (Wizards of the Coast, 2004).

The Ankholian owlbear appeared in the Dragonlance, Bestiary of KrynnBanks, Cam, André La Roche. Bestiary of Krynn (Sovereign Press, 2004). (2004) and the Revised Bestiary of Krynn (2007).Banks, Cam, André La Roche. Bestiary of Krynn Revised (Sovereign Press, 2007).

The owlbear appears in the Monster Manual for this edition (2008) along with the winterclaw owlbear.Mearls, Mike, Stephen Schubert, and James Wyatt. Monster Manual (Wizards of the Coast, 2008). The flavor text mentions that owlbears can be tamed to serve as guards.

File:The owlbear as shown in the D&D 4th Edition Essentials Monster Vault.png

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.Thompson, Rodney, Logan Bonner, and Matthew Sernett. Monster Vault (Wizards of the Coast, 2010). The cover of the monster book included in the box and the box itself feature an owlbear alongside other monsters.[https://web.archive.org/web/20100207131619/http://www.wizards.com/DnD/Product.aspx?x=dnd/products/dndacc/244650000 Monster Vault – An Essential D&D Game Supplement] at the Wizards of the Coast official website

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.{{cite journal | url=http://www.wizards.com/dnd/Article.aspx?x=dnd/4dreye/20120516| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120519034755/http://www.wizards.com/DnD/Article.aspx?x=dnd/4dreye/20120516| url-status=dead| archive-date=May 19, 2012| title=The Making of an Owlbear | journal=Dragon's-Eye View | author=Schindehette, Jon | date=May 16, 2012 | access-date=November 5, 2012}}

The monster was included in the "bestiary" of the D&D Next Playtest Package,Official D&D Next Playtest Package Bestiary, version from January 28, 2013 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.

The owlbear is an official monster in the Pathfinder Roleplaying Game{{Cite web|url=http://legacy.aonprd.com/bestiary/owlbear.html|title=Owlbear|website=legacy.aonprd.com}} 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.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){{Cite web|url=https://www.d20pfsrd.com/bestiary/monster-listings/magical-beasts/owlbear/owlbear-siege|title=Owlbear, Siege (3.5E) – d20PFSRD|website=www.d20pfsrd.com}} Furthermore, Paizo released a part of the series Behind the Monsters{{Cite web|url=https://paizo.com/companies/fatGoblinGames|title=paizo.com - Store / Fat Goblin Games|website=paizo.com}} dedicated to the owlbear, which features the bearowl, the possibly "even stranger offspring" of an owlbear.Boyd, Bret. Behind the Monsters: Owlbear (Paizo Publishing, 2007) Additional official Pathfinder variants of the owlbear are the arctic owlbear, Darklands owlbear, fruss owlbear, great hook-clawed owlbear, screaming owlbear, sleeyk owlbear,{{Cite web|url=https://www.d20pfsrd.com/bestiary/monster-listings/magical-beasts/owlbear/owlbear-sleeyk|title=Owlbear, Sleeyk – d20PFSRD|website=www.d20pfsrd.com}} slime owlbear, sloth owlbear as well as the spectral owlbear.{{Cite web|url=https://www.d20pfsrd.com/bestiary/monster-listings/magical-beasts/owlbear|title=Owlbear – d20PFSRD|website=www.d20pfsrd.com}}

The adventure module Pathfinder #7 – Curse of the Crimson Throne Chapter 1: "Edge of Anarchy"Logue, Nicolas. Pathfinder #7 – Curse of the Crimson Throne Chapter 1: "Edge of Anarchy" (Paizo Publishing, 2008) originally published by Paizo Publishing for Dungeons and Dragons 3.5 edition under the OGL{{Cite web|url=https://paizo.com/products/btpy81xw?Pathfinder-7-Curse-of-the-Crimson-Throne-Chapter-1-Edge-of-Anarchy|title=paizo.com - Pathfinder #7—Curse of the Crimson Throne Chapter 1: "Edge of Anarchy" (OGL)|website=paizo.com}} 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.{{Cite web|url=https://www.d20pfsrd.com/bestiary/monster-listings/undead/skeleton-medium/skeleton-owlbear|title=Skeleton, Owlbear – d20PFSRD|website=www.d20pfsrd.com}} A skeletal owlbear illustration was also done by Goodman Games artist Nick Greenwood.{{cite web|url=http://www.nick-greenwood.com/owlbear.html |archive-url=https://archive.today/20130129225911/http://www.nick-greenwood.com/owlbear.html |url-status=dead |archive-date=January 29, 2013 |title=Skeletal owlbear illustration by Nick Greenwood}}

As only the design of a role-playing game, not the rules are protected by U.S. copyright law,{{cite web| url = http://www.copyright.gov/fls/fl108.html| title = US Copyright Office| access-date = 2008-05-22| archive-date = 2014-02-09| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20140209112703/http://www.copyright.gov/fls/fl108.html| url-status = dead}} 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".{{cite web|last=Varney|first=Allen|author-link=Allen Varney|title=Retro-clones|url=http://www.escapistmagazine.com/articles/view/columns/days-of-high-adventure/6415-Retro-clones|work=The Escapist|access-date=27 July 2010|archive-date=15 April 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140415055658/http://www.escapistmagazine.com/articles/view/columns/days-of-high-adventure/6415-Retro-clones|url-status=dead}} Games not directly using rules of a Dungeons & Dragons edition but claiming to capture the style are often called Old School Renaissance (OSR) games.{{cite web|last=Maliszewski|first=James|title=Full Circle: A History of the Old School Revival|url=http://www.escapistmagazine.com/articles/view/columns/days-of-high-adventure/6412-Full-Circle-A-History-of-the-Old-School-Revival|work=The Escapist|date=21 August 2009 |access-date=November 13, 2012}}

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

• Swords & Wizardry, modelled after the original Dungeons & Dragons from 1974 and published by Mythmere Games.Finch, Matthew J. Swords & Wizardry Monster Book (Self-published, 2008)
• Labyrinth Lord by Goblinoid Games.Proctor, Daniel. Labyrinth Lords – Classic Fantasy Roleplaying Game of Labyrinths, Magic, and Monsters fourth revised edition (Goblinoid Games, 2009)
• Dark Dungeons, Darker Dungeons and Darkest Dungeons (later renamed Blood, Guts and Glory) by Gratis Games all include the owlbear in their bestiary.Blacky the Blackball. Dark Dungeons (Gratis Games, 2010)Blacky the Blackball. Darker Dungeons (Gratis Games, 2011)Blacky the Blackball. Darkest Dungeons (Gratis Games, 2012)
• OSRIC, a system emulating Advanced Dungeons & Dragons.Marshall, Stuart. OSRIC – Old School Reference and Index Compilation v2.2 (Knights & Knaves, 2011)
• Mazes & Perils, inspired by the 1977 Holmes version of Dungeons & Dragons.Florio, Vincent, Bryan Manahan, Mike Stewart and Michael Thomas. Mazes & Perisl (Wild Games Productions, 2012)
• Adventurer Conqueror King by Autarch.Allison, Tavis, Alexander Macris, Greg Tito. Adventurer Conqueror King System (Autarch, 2012)
• Dungeon Crawl Classics by Goodman Games.Curtis, Michael, Joseph Goodman, Harley Stroh, Dieter Zimmerman. Dungeon Crawl Classics Role Playing Game (Autarch, 2012)
• In Basic Fantasy, the owlbear appearsGonnerman, 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) together with the fire-breathing owlbear.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)
• Microlite74 Basic, Standard and Extended all have owlbears as monsters.Stukey, Randall S. Microlite74 Basic Version 3.0 (Self-published, 2011)Stukey, Randall S. Microlite74 Standard Version 3.0 (Self-published, 2011)Stukey, Randall S. Microlite74 Extended Version 3.0 (Self-published, 2011)
• For Gold & Glory, emulating Advanced Dungeons & Dragons 2nd edition.Brown, Justen. For Gold & Glory (Self-published, 2011)
• Castles & Crusades by Troll Lord Games.Chenault, Stephen, Robert Doyel. Castles & Crusades Monsters & Treasure (Troll Lord Games, 2005)
• Burning THAC0,Crane, Luke, Thor Olavsu, Anthony Hersey and Peter Tierney. Burning THAC0 (Self-published, 2005) a variation of The Burning Wheel.

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.Boyd, Bret, Charles W. Plemons III, John White. Foul Locales: Beyond the Walls (Mystic Eye Games, 2002)

The Manual of Monsters for Warcraft: The Roleplaying Game suggest to use the owlbear as an opponent.Borgstrom, Rebecca, Eric Brennan, Genevieve Cogman, and Michael Goodwin. Manual of Monsters (Sword & Sorcery, 2003) 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".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)

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.Thomson, Connie J., Robert W. Thomson. GM's Aid IV: Monster Knowledge Cards Volume 2: Gargoyle to Owlbear (4 Winds Fantasy Gaming, 2009)

The owlbears appears in the HackMaster 4th edition Hacklopedia of Beasts Volume VIBlackburn, Jolly R., Brian Jelke, Steve Johansson, and David S. Kenzer. Hacklopcedia of Beasts Volume VI (Kenzer & Company, 2001) and the HackMaster 5th edition Hacklopedia of Beasts.Blackburn, Jolly R., Brian Jelke, Steve Johansson, and David S. Kenzer. Hacklopcedia of Beasts (Kenzer and Company, 2011) 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.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)

Blood & Treasure, modelled after Dungeons & Dragons 3.5 edition, features the owlbear as an opponent.Stater, John. Blood & Treasure: Treasure Keeper's Tome (Self-published, 2012)Stater, John. Blood & Treasure: Complete Game (Self-published, 2012)

File:Owlbear as shown in D&D Tower of Doom.png

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

• The owlbear appears as a regular enemy in the arcade beat 'em up Dungeons & Dragons: Tower of Doom{{Cite web|url=https://www.arcadequartermaster.com/capcom/ddtod_enemies.html|title=DUNGEONS & DRAGONS TOWER OF DOOM || ENEMIES|website=www.arcadequartermaster.com}} as well as in its sequel Shadow over Mystara.{{Cite web|url=https://www.arcadequartermaster.com/capcom/ddsom_enemies.html|title=SHADOW OVER MYSTARA || ENEMIES|website=www.arcadequartermaster.com}} The games were later re-released in a bundle for the Sega Saturn as the Dungeons & Dragons Collection.{{Cite web|url=https://www.mobygames.com/game/11020/dungeons-dragons-collection/|title=Dungeons & Dragons Collection (1999)|website=MobyGames}}

File:Wildkin_as_shown_in_WoW.jpeg

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

• Non-player characters known as "wildkin" appear in Warcraft III: Reign of Chaos and its expansion The Frozen Throne.{{cite web|url=http://www.battle.net/war3/neutral/wildkin.shtml|title=Wildkin|work=Mojo StormStout's Warcraft III Strategy Guide|publisher=Blizzard Entertainment|access-date=2006-12-09}} Variants are the enraged wildkin and berserk wildkin. The actual term "owlbear" is only used in Warcraft III: Reign of Chaos and its manual,Warcraft III: Reign of Chaos User Manual (Blizzard Entertainment, 2002) and not used in its expansion.
• The MMORPG World of Warcraft contains a variety of owlbear-like creatures named "wildkin", mostly as NPCs. The alternative term "owlkin" is used of wildkin living in the fictional Ammen Vale. A variant is the mutated owlkin. A more powerful wildkin is the owlbeast, with deranged owlbeast and raging owlbeast being subtypes. Some wildkin are also called "moonkin", which is also a creature players of the druid class can transform into.{{cite web|url=http://www.worldofwarcraft.com/info/classes/druid/talents.html|publisher=Blizzard Entertainment|title=Balance talent tree of the Druid class in World of Warcraft|access-date=2008-06-04}} A quest for players with the druid class involves defeating a moonkin named Lunaclaw.

• Owlbears can be found in the roguelike computer game NetHack.{{cite web|url=https://nethackwiki.com/wiki/Owlbear |title=Owlbear |publisher=NetHack Wiki |access-date=2020-04-26}}
• Owlbears appear as mobs in the MMORPG EverQuest: The Shadows of Luclin in nineteen variants.{{cite web | url=http://everquest.allakhazam.com/db/npclist.html?name=owlbear&zones=0 | title=Illia's Everquest Bestiary :: EverQuest :: ZAM }} They are also featured in its sequel EverQuest II.{{Cite web |url=http://eq2.mmodb.com/bestiary/ |title=EverQuest II Bestiary at MMO Database |access-date=2013-02-08 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130202034224/http://eq2.mmodb.com/bestiary/ |archive-date=2013-02-02 |url-status=dead }}
• An enemy named "owl bear" appears early into the Master System game Phantasy Star. It resembles an eyeball with bat wings, however, and is called "devil bat" in the original Japanese version.{{cite magazine | url=http://gamersushi.com/2009/07/21/phantasy-star-game-blog-part-ii-owl-bears-make-me-cry/| title=Phantasy Star Game Blog Part II: Owl Bears Make Me Cry | magazine=Gamer Sushi | author=Anthony | date=July 21, 2009 | access-date=January 13, 2013}}
• The owlbear is a monster in the 1992 SNES game Dragon Quest V: Hand of the Heavenly Bride by Enix (later Square Enix).{{Cite web|url=https://www.woodus.com/den/games/dq5snes/monsters.php|title=Monsters > Dragon Quest V SFC > Dragons Den: Dragon Quest Fansite|website=www.woodus.com}} The monster is also included in the later remakes for the PlayStation 2{{Cite web|url=https://www.woodus.com/den/games/dq5ps2/monsters.php|title=Monsters > Dragon Quest V PS2 > Dragons Den: Dragon Quest Fansite|website=www.woodus.com}} and the Nintendo DS{{Cite web|url=https://www.woodus.com/den/games/dq5ds/monsters.php|title=Monsters > Dragon Quest V DS > Dragons Den: Dragon Quest Fansite|website=www.woodus.com}} Additionally, the Nintendo DS version features a stronger, purple variant called growlbear.
• Tales of Destiny II for the PlayStation 2 features owl bears (オウルベア in the Japanese original).{{cite web | url=http://www.abyssalchronicles.com/guides/tod2pspguidekouli.php | title=Abyssal Chronicles ver3 (Beta) - Tales of Destiny 2 (PSP) - FAQ/Walkthrough by Kouli }}
• There are also owlbears as enemies in Final Fantasy XII. The Japanese original uses the term "owlbear", whereas the English localisation calls the creature "urstrix".Sage Knowledge 30 of 78 (Urstrix Bestiary entry). {{cite video game|title=Final Fantasy XII |developer=Square Enix |date=2006-10-31 |platform=PlayStation 2}}
• Owlbears are the protagonists of the 2011 browser game Owlbear Garden.{{cite web | title = Owlbear Garden review at Gamezebo.com | url = https://www.gamezebo.com/reviews/owlbear-garden-review/ | date = 2011-11-28 | access-date = 2012-11-10 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20121120031245/http://www.gamezebo.com/games/owlbear-garden/review | archive-date = 2012-11-20 }}
• The owlbear is featured on a "monster card", a gameplay element in the MMO Kingdom Conquest by Sega.{{Cite web |url=http://kingdom-conquest.jp/en/infoa/news/?mode=view&id=132 |title=Kingdom Conquest Official Homepage |access-date=2012-12-12 |archive-date=2013-10-14 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131014220214/http://kingdom-conquest.jp/en/infoa/news/?mode=view&id=132 |url-status=dead }}
• Another MMO, Lineage, includes owlbears with various levels of strength as well as a variant named "valley owlbear".{{Cite web |url=http://www.linlib.com/lineage-monsters.php?cat=&type=Normal&class=&us=yes |title=Lineage Library Monster Index |access-date=2013-02-15 |archive-date=2012-10-30 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121030005902/http://www.linlib.com/lineage-monsters.php?cat=&type=Normal&class=&us=yes |url-status=dead }}
• Owlbears appear in the roguelike game Cataclysm: Dark Days Ahead as a dangerous enemy.{{Cite web|url=https://cdda-trunk.chezzo.com/monsters/mon_owlbear|title=Monster: owlbear - Cataclysm: Dark Days Ahead|website=cdda-trunk.chezzo.com|access-date=2019-12-18}}
• Owlbears appear in Hidden Through Time 2: Myths and Magic.

• The Harbinger set, the first set of miniatures for the Dungeons & Dragons Miniatures Game, a collectible miniatures game, has an owlbear miniature.[https://web.archive.org/web/20091017092921/http://www.wizards.com/dnd/Article.aspx?x=dnd/4new/harbinger Mini Galleries Archive: Harbinger] at the Wizards of the Coast official website The Blood War set has monster named owlbear ranger. The Against the Giants set includes a furious owlbear.[https://web.archive.org/web/20091008101752/http://www.wizards.com/DnD/Article.aspx?x=dnd/mg/atg Mini Galleries Archive: Against the Giants] at the Wizards of the Coast official website
• In 2012, Wizards of the Coast released a new version of the 1975 adventure board game Dungeon!{{cite web | title = Dungeon! Board Game | publisher = Wizards of the Coast | date = 16 October 2012 | url = http://www.wizards.com/DnD/Product.aspx?x=dnd/products/dndacc/dungeonbg | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20120501220155/http://wizards.com/DnD/Product.aspx?x=dnd/products/dndacc/dungeonbg | url-status = dead | archive-date = May 1, 2012 | access-date = 17 October 2012}} which features owlbears as opponents.{{cite web | title = Dungeon! Board Game | publisher = The Gaming Gang | date = 18 October 2012 | url = http://www.wizards.com/DnD/Product.aspx?x=dnd/products/dndacc/dungeonbg | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20120501220155/http://wizards.com/DnD/Product.aspx?x=dnd/products/dndacc/dungeonbg | url-status = dead | archive-date = May 1, 2012 | access-date = 9 November 2012}}
• Also released in 2012 by Wizards of the Coast, the board game Lords of Waterdeep features a quest card titled "Domesticate Owlbears".Lee, Peter, Rodney Thompson. Lords of Waterdeep. (Wizards of the Coast, 2012). Board Game.
• The owlbear was depicted in the webcomic The Order of the Stick, where it was presented as a pointless cross between an already dangerous creature (a bear) and a harmless animal (an owl).{{Cite web|url=https://www.giantitp.com/comics/oots0322.html|title=322 Maybe the Quailtiger? - Giant in the Playground Games|website=www.giantitp.com}}
• A creature called a "nightripper" appears in Sagard the Barbarian #2: The Green Hydra game book by Gary Gygax. The nightripper is described and illustrated as a bear with an owl's head but with talons for forepaws. An illustration of it can be found prefacing section 12: The Kingdom Of Darkness.{{Cite web|url=http://i39.tinypic.com/11b5d7l.jpg|title=Nightripper in Sagard the Barbarian}}
• An owlbear also appears in the Japanese light novel series Banished from the Hero's Party.Mirza Aaqib Beg, [https://thecinemaholic.com/banished-from-the-heros-party-episode-5-release-date-and-spoilers/ Banished from the Hero’s Party Episode 5: Release Date and Spoilers]. The Cinemaholic, October 28, 2021. Retrieved April 16, 2022.Michael Triay, [https://www.bubbleblabber.com/english-dub-review-banished-from-the-heros-party-i-decided-to-live-a-quiet-life-in-the-countryside-youre-not-a-true-comrade/ 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.
• In the film Dungeons & Dragons: Honor Among Thieves (2023), the druid Doric assumes the form of an owlbear several times.{{Cite web |last=Boo |first=Bernard |date=2023-03-31 |title=The Monsters of Dungeons & Dragons: Honor Among Thieves - Gelatinous Cube, Owlbear, Mimic, and More! |url=https://www.denofgeek.com/movies/the-monsters-of-dungeons-dragons-honor-among-thieves-gelatinous-cube-owlbear-mimic-and-more/ |access-date=2023-04-03 |website=Den of Geek |language=en-US}}{{Cite magazine |last=Romano |first=Nick |date=March 31, 2023 |title=How 'Dungeons & Dragons' pulled off the Wild Shape escape |url=https://ew.com/movies/dungeons-and-dragons-wild-shape-escape-doric-sophia-lillis/ |access-date=2023-04-03 |magazine=Entertainment Weekly |language=en}}{{Cite web |last=Shayo |first=Lukas |date=2023-04-01 |title=DnD Movie Has Perfect Response To Owlbear Controversy In New Commercial |url=https://screenrant.com/dungeons-dragons-movie-video-owlbear-druid-1980s-cartoon/ |access-date=2023-04-03 |website=Screen Rant |language=en}}
• The owlbear was among the monsters featured as trading cards on the back of Amurol Products candy figure boxes.{{rp|161, 163}}

Chris Sims of the on-line magazine ComicsAlliance referred to the owlbear as "the second-greatest monster in the history of D&D{{-"}}.{{cite magazine|url=http://www.comicsalliance.com/2012/10/19/ask-chris-125-the-greatest-monsters-in-dungeons-and-dragons/ |title=Ask Chris #125: The Greatest Monsters in 'Dungeons & Dragons' |magazine=ComicsAlliance |last=Sims |first=Chris |date=October 19, 2012 |access-date=November 10, 2012 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121021225320/http://www.comicsalliance.com/2012/10/19/ask-chris-125-the-greatest-monsters-in-dungeons-and-dragons |archive-date=October 21, 2012 }} Dave Chalker from Critical-Hits.com, a RPG blog which won the Ennie Gold 2011 Ennie Award for Best Blog,{{Cite web |url=http://www.ennie-awards.com/blog/about-us/2011-nominees-and-winners/ |title=2011 Noms and Winners of the Ennie Awards |access-date=2013-02-08 |archive-date=2019-03-12 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190312050617/http://diehardgamefan.com/2011/12/26/diehard-gamefans-2011-tabletop-gaming-awards/ |url-status=dead }} recommended the use of the owlbear as a monster.{{cite web|url=http://critical-hits.com/2009/02/26/10-monsters-i-use-in-every-dd-campaign-and-5-i-dont/|title=10 Monsters I Use in Every D&D Campaign (And 5 I Don't)|publisher=Critical-Hits.com|last= Chalker|first=Dave|date=February 26, 2009|access-date=February 8, 2013}} Rob Bricken from io9 named the owlbear as the sixth most memorable D&D monster,{{cite web|url= http://io9.gizmodo.com/the-10-most-memorable-dungeons-dragons-monsters-1326074030/|title=The 10 Most Memorable Dungeons & Dragons Monsters|publisher=io9|last=Bricken|first=Rob|date=September 16, 2013|access-date=January 20, 2016}} while the game's chroniclers Witwer et al. counted the owlbear among the "iconic D&D monsters".{{rp|5, 366-367}}

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{{D&D topics}}

Category:Dungeons & Dragons monsters

Category:Fictional bears

Category:Fictional elements introduced in 1975

Category:Fictional owls