2019-12-01

Monster: Dracomantid

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Dracomantid

A giant mantis with a black patterns on its carapace and strange sack-like structures on its neck.


CR 8; XP 4,800

N Large Vermin
Init +10; Senses darkvision 60 ft., tremorsense 60 ft.; Perception +24

Defense

AC 21, touch 15, flat-footed 15 (+6 Dex, +6 natural, –1 size)
hp 105 (10d8+60)
Fort +13, Ref +9, Will +7
Defensive Abilities murderous affect, evasion; Resist acid 30

Offense
Speed 40 ft., climb 40 ft., fly 50 ft. (poor)
Melee 2 claws +14 (2d6+8 plus grab, 19–20/×2)
Space 10 ft.; Reach 15 ft.
Special Attacks breath weapon (60 ft. line, 10d6 acid, Reflex DC 21 for half, usable every 1d4 rounds), caustic mandibles (2d6 acid), sudden strike

Statistics
Str 26, Dex 22, Con 22, Int 1, Wis 15, Cha 11
Base Atk +7; CMB +16 (+20 grapple); CMD 32 (40 vs. trip)
Feats Blind-Fight, Combat Reflexes, Improved Critical (claws), Improved Initiative, Iron Will
Skills Climb +16, Fly +0, Perception +24, Stealth +14; Racial Modifiers +12 Perception, +12 Stealth

Ecology
Environment temperate and warm forests
Organization solitary, pair
Treasure standard

Special Abilities


Caustic Mandibles (Ex) A dracomantid can deal 3d6 points of acid damage to creature it is grappling as a free action once per turn.

Murderous Affect (Ex) Dracomantids react to charms with the lethal grace of their tiny kin, trying to show their feelings by relentlessly tracking and attacking the creature that charmed them. A confused dracomantid always attack the nearest random creature. Using wild empathy and Handle Animal (combined with abilities that allow using them on vermin) on them suffers additional –4 penalty. Failing any such check prompts the dracomantid to attack.

Sudden Strike (Ex) A dracomantid can take a full round of actions during the surprise round.


Dracomantids are dangerous predators of forests and jungles, possibly related to, or evolved (naturally or magically) from giant mantises. They owe their name to their ability to spit corrosive acids, reminiscent of draconic abilities, though they are probably not related to dragons in any other way. A few sages do believe they might be descendant from half-dragon giant mantises but others find it unlikely that even dragons would show carnal interest in those dire insects...


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