This article is inspired by unique mounts from my own home campaign. As per usual, we offer system-agnostic OSR versions and 5E. There are two variations of these creatures, those found in the wild, and those trained as unique combat war mounts available for players brave enough to ride them.
System-Agnostic OSR
Horned Varanus (Wild)
Armor Class: 5 [14] (thick scaly hide)
Hit Dice: 4+2 (19 hp)
Attacks: 1 × Horn Gore (1d8) or 1 × Bite (1d6 + septic venom) or 1 × Tail Sweep (1d6)
Movement: 120' (40')
Saving Throws: F4
Morale: 7
Septic Venom: Creatures bitten must save vs. Poison or suffer 1d4 damage each round for 3 turns from necrotizing bacteria.
Prehensile Tail: On a hit with its tail sweep against a creature human-sized or smaller, the target must save vs. Paralysis/Petrification or be knocked prone.
Sun Basking: Sluggish in extreme cold; gains +1 to initiative and movement checks in arid/desert heat.
Horned Varanus (War Mount)
Armor Class: 4 [15] (leather barding / hardened saddle rig)
Hit Dice: 5+2 (25 hp)
Attacks: 1 × Horn Gore (1d10) or 1 × Bite (1d6 + septic venom) and 1 × Trample (1d8)
Movement: 120' (40')
Saving Throws: F5
Morale: 9
Disciplined Charge: When charging at least 20 feet in a straight line before attacking with its horn, it deals double damage (2d10).
Gladiatorial Anchor: Due to its low center of gravity and wide stance, attempts to unseat the rider or knock the mount prone suffer a -2 penalty to the attacker's roll.
D&D 5th Edition
Horned Varanus (Wild)
Large Beast, Unaligned
Armor Class: 14 (natural armor)
Hit Points: 45 (6d10 + 12)
Speed: 40 ft., climb 30 ft.
| STR | DEX | CON | INT | WIS | CHA |
| 17 (+3) | 12 (+1) | 15 (+2) | 3 (-4) | 12 (+1) | 5 (-3) |
Skills: Perception +3, Athletics +5
Senses: Darkvision 60 ft., passive Perception 13
Challenge: 2 (450 XP) | Proficiency Bonus: +2
Traits
Keen Smell: The varanus has advantage on Wisdom (Perception) checks that rely on smell.
Actions
Gore: Melee Weapon Attack: +5 to hit, reach 5 ft., one target. Hit: 8 (1d10 + 3) piercing damage.
Bite: Melee Weapon Attack: +5 to hit, reach 5 ft., one target. Hit: 7 (1d8 + 3) piercing damage plus 5 (2d4) poison damage. The target must succeed on a DC 12 Constitution saving throw or be poisoned for 1 minute.
Tail: Melee Weapon Attack: +5 to hit, reach 10 ft., one target. Hit: 6 (1d6 + 3) bludgeoning damage. If the target is a Medium or smaller creature, it must succeed on a DC 13 Strength saving throw or be knocked prone.
Horned Varanus (War Mount)
Large Beast, Unaligned
Armor Class: 16 (studded leather mount barding)
Hit Points: 59 (7d10 + 21)
Speed: 40 ft., climb 30 ft.
| STR | DEX | CON | INT | WIS | CHA |
| 18 (+4) | 12 (+1) | 16 (+3) | 4 (-3) | 13 (+1) | 6 (-2) |
Saving Throws: STR +6, CON +5
Skills: Athletics +6, Perception +3
Senses: Darkvision 60 ft., passive Perception 13
Challenge: 3 (700 XP) | Proficiency Bonus: +2
Traits
Charge: If the varanus moves at least 20 feet straight toward a target and hits it with a Gore attack on the same turn, the target takes an extra 7 (2d6) piercing damage. If the target is a creature, it must succeed on a DC 14 Strength saving throw or be knocked prone.
Low Center of Gravity: The varanus has advantage on saving throws and ability checks against being knocked prone or moved against its will. The rider also has advantage on saving throws against being unseated.
Actions
Multiattack: The varanus makes two attacks: one with its Gore and one with its Bite or Tail.
Gore: Melee Weapon Attack: +6 to hit, reach 5 ft., one target. Hit: 9 (1d10 + 4) piercing damage.
Bite: Melee Weapon Attack: +6 to hit, reach 5 ft., one target. Hit: 8 (1d8 + 4) piercing damage plus 7 (2d6) poison damage. The target must succeed on a DC 13 Constitution saving throw or be poisoned for 1 minute.
Tail Sweep: Melee Weapon Attack: +6 to hit, reach 10 ft., one target. Hit: 7 (1d6 + 4) bludgeoning damage. If the target is a Medium or smaller creature, it must succeed on a DC 14 Strength saving throw or be knocked prone.
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