Any encounter with these creatures will likely be fought on their terms, making deadly use of numbers, ambush and hit-and-run tactics to whittle away resources before the final blow. This all points to using the winter wolf as a cunning hunter that uses its smarts rather than just another brute with icy breath.

They could even be trained to use tools or wondrous items by an enterprising master. This means winter wolves are smart enough to learn and speak languages, reason, intuit and execute more complex plans than any mere beast. RELATED: Dungeons & Dragons: How to Run 1-on-1 Campaigns

An intelligence of seven might seem dumb to the average adventurer, but this makes the winter wolf smarter than any of the animals we typically associate with being bright, such as apes and dolphins. Where winter wolves really become threats, however, is in their intelligence. Physically, a winter wolf is only about as threatening as a standard dire wolf, but with an icy breath weapon - ferocious to be sure, but only truly dangerous in numbers.

D&d ice creatures