Magical darkness doesn’t impede the shantak’s darkvision.

The shantak doesn’t provoke an opportunity attack when it flies out of an enemy’s reach.

The shantak has advantage on Wisdom (Perception) checks that rely on sight or smell.

The shantak has advantage on saving throws against spells and other magical effects.

The shantak has advantage on attack rolls against a creature if at least one of the shantak’s allies is within 5 feet of the creature and the ally isn’t incapacitated.

A shantak’s hide is very slippery. A rider can dismount a shantak without any penalty to movement speed. If an effect moves the shantak against its will while a creature is on it, the creature must succeed on a DC 15 Dexterity saving throw or fall off the shantak, landing prone in a space within 5 feet of it. If a rider is knocked prone or unconscious while mounted, it must make the same saving throw. In addition, the shantak can attempt to shake off a rider as a bonus action, forcing the rider to make the saving throw to stay mounted.