Battle Emu

War-Bred Mount. The battle emu is trained to bear a rider. A willing Small or smaller creature can ride it. When ridden as a controlled mount, its Initiative changes to match the rider’s. It moves on the rider’s turn as directed and can take only the Dash, Disengage, or Dodge action on that turn, following the 2024 Mounted Combat rules. If the rider allows it to act as an independent mount, it keeps its place in Initiative and chooses its own movement and actions; it can then use the actions in this stat block.

Zigzag Runner. Opportunity Attacks against the emu have Disadvantage. The emu has Advantage on Dexterity saving throws against effects it can see.

Stubborn as the Outback. The first time the emu would be reduced to 0 Hit Points but not killed outright, it drops to 1 Hit Point instead. Once this trait works, it can’t do so again until it finishes a Long Rest.

Multiattack. The emu makes three attacks: two with its Kick and one with its Beak.

Kick.  Melee Attack Roll: +9, reach 10 ft. Hit: 23 (3d10 + 7) Bludgeoning damage. If the target is a creature, it must succeed on a DC 16 Strength saving throw or have the Prone condition. 

 Beak. Melee Attack Roll: +9, reach 10 ft. Hit: 16 (2d8 + 7) Piercing damage.

Break the Line (Recharge 5–6). The emu moves up to its Speed in a straight line without provoking Opportunity Attacks. During this move, it can move through the spaces of Large or smaller creatures. Each creature whose space it enters must make a DC 16 Dexterity saving throw. On a failed save, a creature takes 29 (4d10 + 7) Bludgeoning damage and has the Prone condition. On a successful save, it takes half as much damage only. A creature can be affected only once during this movement.

Scatterstep. When a ranged attack roll misses the emu, it moves up to half its Speed without provoking Opportunity Attacks. If it carries a willing rider, the rider moves with it.