Manta Ray: Giant and Normal
by Jamie BatyManta Ray, Normal
CO, RC 192
The normal manta ray is identical to the manta ray presented in the SRD with the following exceptions:
Attack: Tail +4 melee (1d8 +2 plus paralysis) or Ram -1 melee* (1d6+1)
Full Attack: Tail +4 melee (1d8 +2 plus paralysis) or Ram -1 melee* (1d6+1)
Special Attacks: Paralysis
Skills: Hide +4*, Listen +7, Spot +6, Swim +10
Challenge Rating: 2
Combat
The normal manta ray is usually non-aggressive, but it is capable of defending itself with its dangerous tail. *A manta ray may also ram its foe, although this clumsy attack is treated as a secondary attack.
Paralysis (Ex): Any creature hit by the manta ray's tail must make a Fortitude save vs DC 12 or become paralysed for 20-80 minutes. Paralysed creatures cannot move, speak, or take any physical actions. The creature is rooted to the spot, frozen and helpless. A swimmer can't swim and may drown if they can't breathe underwater.
Skills: A manta ray has a +8 racial bonus to all Hide checks. *If on the sea floor, this Hide bonus improves to +16. A giant manta ray has a +8 racial bonus on any Swim check to perform some special action or avoid a hazard. It can always choose to take 10 on a Swim check, even if distracted or endangered. It can use the run action while swimming, provided it swims in a straight line.
Giant
CO, RC 192
Gargantuan Animal (Aquatic)
Hit Dice: 10d8+40 (85 hp)
Initiative: -2 (-2 Dex)
Speed: swim 40 ft. (8 squares)
Armour Class: 11 (-4 size, -2 Dex, +7 natural), touch 4, flat-footed 11
Base Attack/Grapple: +7/+29
Attack: Tail +13 melee (2d10 +10 plus paralysis) or ram +13 melee (3d4 +10)
Full Attack: Tail +13 melee (2d10 +10 plus paralysis) or ram +13 melee (3d4 +10)
Space/Reach: 20 ft./15 ft.
Special Attacks: Paralysis
Special Qualities: Low-light vision
Saves: Fort +11, Ref +5, Will +4
Abilities: Str 31, Dex 7, Con 18, Int 1, Wis 12, Cha 3
Skills: Hide -2*, Listen +8, Spot +7, Swim +18
Feats: Alertness, Endurance, Improved Overrun, Power Attack
Environment: Warm aquatic
Organisation: Solitary
Challenge Rating: 5
Treasure: Half Standard
Alignment: Always neutral
Advancement: 13-24 HD (Gargantuan)
Level Adjustment: -
Manta rays are aquatic creatures, flat fish whose bodies are shaped like broad wings or sails. They flap their "wings" to propel them through the water. When a manta ray lies in the sand on the sea floor it is very difficult to see.
Giant manta rays can be up to about 40' in width and 75' in length. They feed from the ocean floor and sometimes swallow treasure that has settled there.
Combat
Unlike the normal manta ray, the giant variety can be aggressive, preferring to attack with its tail to paralyse foes. It also can ram a foe, usually trying to overrun it in the process.
Paralysis (Ex): Any creature hit by the giant manta ray's tail must make a Fortitude save vs DC 17 or become paralysed for 20-80 minutes. Paralysed creatures cannot move, speak, or take any physical actions. The creature is rooted to the spot, frozen and helpless. A swimmer can't swim and may drown if they can't breathe underwater.
Skills: A giant manta ray has a +8 racial bonus to all Hide checks. *If on the sea floor, this Hide bonus improves to +16. A giant manta ray has a +8 racial bonus on any Swim check to perform some special action or avoid a hazard. It can always choose to take 10 on a Swim check, even if distracted or endangered. It can use the run action while swimming, provided it swims in a straight line.