WotC has posted the Minotaur race preview on the website. Looks good.
Thanx WotC
I'm extremly happy with this version mostly because NO ECL!
And I'd like to point out the -2 Dex modifier and the mention of hooved feet! (see other Minotaur thread) :D
Originally posted by Lenin97
YES MINOTAURS!
I'm extremly happy with this version mostly because NO ECL!
And I'd like to point out the -2 Dex modifier and the mention of hooved feet! (see other Minotaur thread) :D
It's always nice to see something you push for turn out the way you want it, huh?
And yes, no level adjustment. This means you can pick up a minotaur as a first level character along with everybody else, which is nice and appealing. However, I'd steer clear from rogues, bards, wizards, sorcerers, and so on - that triple crown hit to Dexterity, Intelligence and Charisma means they're not as suited to those classes as they are to, say, fighter.
Cheers,
Cam
Originally posted by Cam Banks
It's always nice to see something you push for turn out the way you want it, huh?
And yes, no level adjustment. This means you can pick up a minotaur as a first level character along with everybody else, which is nice and appealing. However, I'd steer clear from rogues, bards, wizards, sorcerers, and so on - that triple crown hit to Dexterity, Intelligence and Charisma means they're not as suited to those classes as they are to, say, fighter.
Cheers,
Cam
Well it's not that I wanted a negative Dex mod. I was just mentioning it as I was skimming over the article, I just think it's nice to see something that looks (on the surface) like it well make the most people possible happy. I'm happy that once again a massive 7' tall bull-headed (in more ways than one) badass will be seen in that group of first level adventurers.:D
I'm a little disappointed in the hoove feet department only because almost all of my Medium sized mintotaur miniatures have feet not hooves (This was a joke :D )
We didn't have them having cleft hooves! >.<
As a matter of fact, we specifically pushed for them NOT having hooved feet >.<
*sighs gustily* Methinks we were over-ruled, as minotaurs in the MM have cloven hooves. >.<
We'll be making a note of that in our products...we may even make mention that minotaurs with "cleft hooves" are a "stereotyped" image fostered by non-minotaurs to "demonize" them, and that minotaurs with cloven feet are actually quite rare and believed to be "deformed," forcing them to prove themselves even more than any other.
Christopher
Originally posted by Stormprince
We'll be making a note of that in our products...we may even make mention that minotaurs with "cleft hooves" are a "stereotyped" image fostered by non-minotaurs to "demonize" them, and that minotaurs with cloven feet are actually quite rare and believed to be "deformed," forcing them to prove themselves even more than any other.
Christopher
Good idea, Chrisopher.
Down with the pro-human/anti-minotaur propaganda!
Originally posted by Stormprince
We'll be making a note of that in our products...we may even make mention that minotaurs with "cleft hooves" are a "stereotyped" image fostered by non-minotaurs to "demonize" them, and that minotaurs with cloven feet are actually quite rare and believed to be "deformed," forcing them to prove themselves even more than any other.
Like the one on the front cover of Reavers of the Blood Sea!
Seriously though, I do like the compromise of hoof-like ends of the feet with the human-like heel and ankle. You can still wear boots that way.
Cheers,
Cam
Originally posted by Stormprince
ARGH! >.<
We didn't have them having cleft hooves! >.<
As a matter of fact, we specifically pushed for them NOT having hooved feet >.<
*sighs gustily* Methinks we were over-ruled, as minotaurs in the MM have cloven hooves. >.<
We'll be making a note of that in our products...we may even make mention that minotaurs with "cleft hooves" are a "stereotyped" image fostered by non-minotaurs to "demonize" them, and that minotaurs with cloven feet are actually quite rare and believed to be "deformed," forcing them to prove themselves even more than any other.
Christopher
Chris, check out an AD&D Dark Sun product called Thri-Kreen of Athas. In it, they show some various sub-races of Thri-kreen (i.e. the Tohr-Kreen), as well as different shapes for their hands.
My basic thoughts on minotaurs is that they have different shapes of horns, hooves/feet, and different colored coats of fur.
Anyway, something to ponder.
I pretty much draw my minotaurs like the one in the MM except they are more human in the face giving them a wide jawed brute appearance.
When I get a scanner I'll post an image.
DL Minotaurs had feet and that the wild monstrous minotaurs of other worlds had hooves. This made sense to me because the DL Minotaurs are professional sailors and pirates and afterall I never have seen to many horses (or other cloven hooved animals) with the potential to be oylmpic swimmers! I mean how hard must it be to tread water with hooves :D
Originally posted by Lenin97
I was always of the thought that ...
DL Minotaurs had feet and that the wild monstrous minotaurs of other worlds had hooves. This made sense to me because the DL Minotaurs are professional sailors and pirates and afterall I never have seen to many horses (or other cloven hooved animals) with the potential to be oylmpic swimmers! I mean how hard must it be to tread water with hooves :D
Or how hard is it to stay on a wet wooden deck with hooves?
I like the hoof idea as well, but it is a bit impractical.
Originally posted by Dragonhelm
Or how hard is it to stay on a wet wooden deck with hooves?
I like the hoof idea as well, but it is a bit impractical.
That was pretty much our thoughts as well.
Additionally, the vast majority of Dragonlance minotaur artwork shows them having feet... *shrugs and sighs gustily*
Anywho, yes, we gave minotaurs a -2 Dexterity...not because of their hooves, but we compared them with "humans" and "elves" in our minds. Compared to humans and elves (the Medium "dextrous" races), minotaurs are much more heavily muscled, inclined towards being "top heavy." To counterbalance the loss of Dexterity as sailors, we gave them their bonuses to Swim and Use Rope checks. Now, as a former US Sailor, I don't know if any of you are really familiar with "sea legs" and the like...but it's basically one of those things where once you gain an understanding of how to "balance" yourself on the high seas, when you're walking on land, it can take awhile for you to get your "land legs."
Now, there's not really any "official" rules for this in 3.5. But, you could justifiably give minotaurs a +2 circumstance bonus to Balance checks when onboard a ship and/or a +2 circumstance bonus to Profession (Sailor) checks.
The minotaurs of Krynn are one of the many reasons that I adore Dragonlance, heck, I wrote that section in the DLCS, which is why I'm a bit twitchy about the whole "cloven hooves" thing. ;)
Christopher
Originally posted by Lenin97
Good idea, Chrisopher.
Down with the pro-human/anti-minotaur propaganda!
Here Here!!!
FEET NOT HOOVES! (eek, this sounds like some anti-animal farm chant :razz: )
Originally posted by Wolf72
Here Here!!!
FEET NOT HOOVES! (eek, this sounds like some anti-animal farm chant :razz: )
Maybe PETA can get WotC to change them to feet!
Christopher
Not to worry, Chris - minotaurs have feet to us!
Originally posted by Eidolon
I rather like the minotaur write-up as well... indeed, there are racial traits from our combined posts (such as the DLCS Minotaurs thread started a week ago). The current minotaur looks to be a very good compromise for a +0 ECL. Me likey.
Not to worry, Chris - minotaurs have feet to us!
*grins crookedly*
Truly, as "common" as minotaurs are, we did feel that they needed to be an ECL of either 0 or 1. As we were also including two draconian races, the two sea elf races, the ogres and the irda, we felt that having another ECL 0 race was probably the way to go.
Chrisopher
PS - And thanks, in my mind, they do too ;)
What a drastic demotion.
I'll give Scent as automatic feat. (FREE!)
Originally posted by Ranger REG
Feh. Personally, I expect the Minotaur's Level Adjustment/ECL of at least +1. Now, this one is on par with a Half-Orc?
What a drastic demotion.
I'll give Scent as automatic feat. (FREE!)
Go for it, it's your campaign
But there was no "drastic" demotion as Krynn's minotaurs have always been different from the "standard" minotaurs. And remember, the DLCS is 3.5, and there have been some adjustments to the way that ECL and Level Adjustment works. You'll see what I mean.Christopher
Originally posted by Stormprince
Go for it, it's your campaign
Christopher
Hmm. Does that mean the standard D&D 3.5e minotaur is also receiving a drastic demotion from ECL +7 to ... oh I don't know, ECL +3?
Originally posted by lugnut71
I'll use it but I think I will drop the -2 intelligence. Second highest litercy rate of the races I say.
I just want to point out that ...
The Stupidest people are often Literate:D
Originally posted by Halabis
The problem is, I dont understand the -2 int. They have been shown to be very intelegent creatures, hell as a race they value intelegence more than humans do. The novels have repeatedly shown them to be just as, if not more intelegent than thier human counterparts. So why the penalty?
The Intelligence penalty comes primarily from the fact that while minotaurs may be relatively intelligent, they prize strength and brawn over intellect. They are cunning, but their learning comes from the battlefield, not the classroom. Yet, those who do show intelligence tend to overcome...plus, remember with the stat adjustment benefits gained from advancing levels can be used to overcome the initial hindrance. Hence why minotaur wizards are so rare...They are taught to respond to orders, to obey the "natural order of things," not to think for themselves.
No, minotaurs are not idiots, but they are also not renown for their literature and scholastic pursuits. Yes, there are minotaur scholars, but they tend to be from the older, grizzled, experienced minotaurs, who have learned life the hard way.
Additionally, speaking statwise, the negative to Intelligence counterbalances the bonus to their Strength, which was necessary to maintain them as ECL 0 characters. If you want to remove the penalty to Intelligence, then give them an ECL +1.
Consider the minotaur statistics the "current" minotaur race, not their ultimate potential. They have spent the last centuries as little more than barbarians...their once glorious empire has crumbled and although a new empire is rising, it will take time for its people to change.
Christopher
Minotaurs have a hunter/predator's instinct. They are cunning which is closely associated to common sense or Wisdom than Intelligence which is the ability to analyze.
While Intelligence is the key ability for Craft, Knowledge, Spellcraft...and for minotaur Wizards.
Of the two groups of abilities, which do you believe the minotaurs require more? And which of the two classes is more common?
Yeah, the minotaurs will have less skills overall, 4 less at first level and 1 less each level after the first, but minotaurs tend to focus on specifics instead of generalities.
Christopher
PS - Last post before Origins! Will see y'all around!
Sort of the best of two worlds approach. :D
I like that they're ECL 0 race as well. I also hope their racial weapons (like those from TotL) have been toned down a notch or three. I still have nightmares about a minotaur fighter with 20 Str and Con wielding two of those huge minotaur swords with serrated edges, with each dealing 2d6+2 base damage (that's THAC0 16 as Ftr 1 -- Proficiency, Weapon Specialisation, Ambidexterity, and Two-Weapon Fighting Style, 5 attacks per 2 rounds, dealing 2d6+12 with each successful hit...
).Anyways, I'm looking forward to seeing DLCS (this July, right?). I'm eager to see whether the Irda are actually balanced this time (I have high hopes now, having seen the minotaur), and I really want to see how WoHS turned out (I wonder, do they still retain order-exclusive schools -- Necromancy for the Black Robes, Illusion for the Red Robes, and what was it that the Whites had...? And also, do Blacks again get the fastest advancement in spellcasting, like they used to in DLA?)
Anyways, I'm babbling... :embarrass
Regards.
Originally posted by Perun
Anyways, I'm looking forward to seeing DLCS (this July, right?). I'm eager to see whether the Irda are actually balanced this time (I have high hopes now, having seen the minotaur), and I really want to see how WoHS turned out (I wonder, do they still retain order-exclusive schools -- Necromancy for the Black Robes, Illusion for the Red Robes, and what was it that the Whites had...? And also, do Blacks again get the fastest advancement in spellcasting, like they used to in DLA?)
It can't be done these days due to the CR system and the requirement for the classes to be balanced (since they all use the same experience point advancement).
Giving them more spells or more powerful special abilities at lower levels than the rest would lead to game imbalance, a problem that occured with races such as the Irda.
Black robes, IMO, simply advance faster because they take more risks to master magic and use it more freely. Therefore they gain XP faster. A good thing too, given that black robes (with the exception of Fisty and a few others) probably have the tendency to die young... on Solamnic spears.
Originally posted by Stormprince
Aye, but Wisdom is the key ability for skills such as Sense Motive, Spot, Listen, Survival, Profession (Sailor/Soldier/etc.)...and for minotaur Priests.
While Intelligence is the key ability for Craft, Knowledge, Spellcraft...and for minotaur Wizards.
Of the two groups of abilities, which do you believe the minotaurs require more? And which of the two classes is more common?
Yeah, the minotaurs will have less skills overall, 4 less at first level and 1 less each level after the first, but minotaurs tend to focus on specifics instead of generalities.
Christopher
PS - Last post before Origins! Will see y'all around!
Personally, I don't know what the fuss is about. I'd rather he have more wisdom to be an alert predator than more intelligence to do research and rapidly acquire book knowledge.
The Mandoll Rocked!
Always my favorite!
And I saw one of you mention serated weapons further up the thread. I can't for the life of me remember where the rules for serated weapons is listed. Could someone point me towards the right spot, cuz right now I'm aimlessly flipping through all my books.
Great for pitfighting and scaring the hell out of the "norms"!
Remember, this is in 2E AD&D weapon format. WBoA stands for "World Book of Ansalon", the main booklet in the "Tales of the Lance" (TotL) boxed set.
Minotaurs with Str 16+ could wield two broadswords, with a -2 attack penalty with the second one. (TotL: WBoA, p. 75)
Only minotaurs and exceptionaly strong characters of ther races (Str 15+) could wield special minotaur weapons. All others seuffer a -2 penalty to attack and damage. (TotL: WBoA, p. 76)
A minotaur swho specialised in any minotaur melee weapon could attack two times per round with it. (TotL: WBoA, p. 76)
These are the special minotar weapons (all are TotL: WBoA, p. 76) (remeber damage is listed for medium and smaller opponents before the slash, and for large and larger opponents after the slash).
Forpann: (Dmg 1d8+1/3d6; Spd 8; Type P) This 8 ft., two-handed trident has a rope attached to its base from which trails a 10 ft. wide, weighted throwing net. The warrior uses the net to tangle his foe's weapon or feet, as well as to pin him. A specialist can also catch a foe's weapon with the trident and attempt to disarm him.
Kausin: (Dmg 1d8+2/1d6+2; Spd 6; Type B) This 6 ft. long "whipping rod" is a chain of 6 iron bars linked together and attached to a guarded handle. It functions like a flail but can wrap around a foe's shield or back to strike a crushing blow. The kausin causes full damage to buildings.
Mandoll: (Dmg 1d4+2/1d3+2; Spd 2; Type P/S/B) The mandoll is a minotaur cestus: an iron gauntlet with spikes on the knuckles and a dagger blade along the back of the thumb. This champion's weapon requires close fighting and relies on the warriors Strength. A mandoll can inflict bruising, slashing, and piercing damage. It is deadly when used with katar, the so-called "punch sword".
Polearm, Lajang: (Dmg 1d10+1/1d10+1; Spd 6; Type P/S/B) This 7 ft. long polearm holds a recurved crescent blade at each end of its shaft. The shaft may parry attacks or bludgeon foes. The blades can slash on a forward or a backward stroke, catch and turn weapons, pin or trip foes, and impale targets on double prongs. In the hands of a minotaur with Str 16 or more, it can even be hurled as a spear.
Sanguine: (Dmg 1d8+1/1d10+1; Spd 6; Type P/S/B) THis 7 ft. long gladiator weapon has a serrated spearhead at both ends, and a small buckler with a razor edged crescent at its middle. In the hands of a master the sanguine can be used one- or two-handed, to parry attacks, trip foes, fight multiple foes, or slash, bludgeon, or pierce foes. It cannot be thrown.
Shatang: (Dmg 1d6+2/1d8+2; Spd 6; Type P/S) A 5 ft. long barbed throwing spear. Shatang are basically heavy javelins. A master can fight with one in each hand without penalty. Arena combatants often wear a rack of four shatangs strapped to their backs.
Sword, Clabbard: (Dmg 2d6+2/1d8+2; Spd 5, Type S) THis 6 ft. boradsword is sized to a minotaur's needs. Its cutting edge is backed by a serrated saw edge. A blood channel runsthe length of the blade, making it easier to withdraw from an impaled foe. The saw edge can cut through leather and hide armours with ease (+1 bonus to hit) and, in the hads of a master, can catch and break a foe's weapon.
Sword, Katar: (Dmg 1d6+2/1d4+2; Spd 3, Type P/S) This weapon is more a dagger than a sword. The blade is 6 in. long on an H-shaped hilt. The warrior grasps the hilt at the crossbar and two side-hilts guard the hand and wrist. THe blade may be used to punch or slash a foe, or catch and turn a foe's weapon.
Tessto: (Dmg 1d8+2/1d8+2; Spd 6, Type B) The tessto is a 6 ft.-long studded club with a loop of rope at its hilt. Using this weapon offencively requires great Strength. A cunning master can use the tessto defencively by spinning it around its centre like a baton, and using its loop to snag feet, hands, and heads.
Yeah. They rock. Not.
Mind you, with a level head and a sane mind, many of these could be converted to 3e exotic weapons. But, in 2e these were insalnely powerful.
Add to the fact that mintaurs had +2 Str, +2 Con, -2 Wis, -2 Cha (minimums and maximums were: Strength 12/20, Dexterity 8/18, Constitution 12/20, Intelligence 5/18, Wisdom 3/16, Charisma 3/16).
All minotaurs who were members of the classes of the Warrior group (Fighter, Barbarian (TotL), Mariner (TotL)) could spend weapon proficiencies on weapon specialisation.
Minotaurs had a natural AC 7. They rarel wore armour other than leather (-1 bonus to AC -- remember, this was 2e). Nobles occasionally wore splint armour or breastplates fashioned of lizard hide or beetle carapace. Minotaur fighters almost always refused to use shields, leaving their hands free to wield two-handed weapons.
Minotaurs were about 7 ft. tall (4d6+72 in. for males, 4d6+66 in. for females). TotL says that "their feet, however, end in a cleft hoof". Their fur ranged in colour from a whitish blonde to glossy black, although most minotaurs have only one colour of fur. Only after reaching the age of 110 years did they begin to show signs of age. Minotaurs could live up to 150 years (2d10+130). Males had 13 - 24 in. horns (1d12+12), while females' horns were shorter, 7-12 in. (1d6+6).
There you go. Hope I didn't do anything bad by putting all this on the messageboards... :D
J.Blasingame
THe highest-damage kender weapons, from what I can see, were the Hatchak (2d4+1/2d6+1) and Sashik (1d8+1/1d10+1). Add to that the fact that kender rolled 2d6+4 for Strength...
However, kender in general have been pretty good characters:
- +1 Dex;
- Infravision;
- +1 bonus to saves vs. rod/staff/wand, spell and poison for every 3-1/2 points of Con (same as dwarves and gnomes in 2e);
- +1 to hit with slings and thrown weapons;
- -4 penalty to the opponent's surprise roll;
- fearless;
- taunting (save vs. spell or act with mindless rage for 1d10 rounds suffering a 2-point penatly to THAC0, AC and all action rolls);
- 25% chance of success with every thief skill, except Climb Walls (50%) and Read Languages (10%) (presumably further modified by Dex and armour, although nothing is mentioned in the ability write-up).
So, while I may agree that their weapons were good , they were not too good, like the minotaur weapons. But, that's just me, of course.
Regards!
Kender: Love life, curious about everything, mainly rogues (but don't call them that), pretty much acting like human kids.
Now look at the weapons. For thier size, shape, attitudes on life, etc....Kender weapons are pound for pound better weapons (IMHO)...Most Kender weapons (if not all) server multiple purposes too, but mainly because they have these awesome weapons and they weren't even trying to make them that way. what do you think would happen if one slowed down enough and tried to improve on Kender weapons. A Continent Ruled by Kender
, Kender Manifest Destiny :fight!: , or worse a kender God 
J.Blasingame
Originally posted by Lenin97
YES MINOTAURS!
I'm extremly happy with this version mostly because NO ECL!
And I'd like to point out the -2 Dex modifier and the mention of hooved feet! (see other Minotaur thread) :D
No ecl!?
Unless Dragonlance humans get three feats and a chicken delicious coupon, these minotaurs are totally broken.
- Take a big hammer. If you hit someone upside the head with it, it hurts. How much it hurts is defined by the strength used to swing it.
A hammer deals whatever damage + strength, so if a Kendar swung the hammer, you probably wouldn't hurt as much as if a minotaur swung it. Catch my drift?
If a Kendar needs to make an impression on a minotaur, he darn well needs some sort of ingenius weapon that deals massive damage regadless of his puny strength.
If a minotaur wields a baseball bat dealing heavy damage, the Kendar would need to whip out a 12 gauge shotgun in order to remotely scare the minotaur.
Nothing is broken on the weapons department.... Unless you count the sick inventions of gnomes
Now on to the Minotaur:
- No the minotaur works quite well. We allready started play with the new minotaur, and it is perfectly balanced thus far. Of course you could say that because he gets +4 STR, he is easier to powergame than other races, but I urge you to take of the tubed glasses and behold... There is more to playing than stats and bonuses... It's called roleplaying and in DL that ain't easy when you're a minotaur. Sure, you got big muscles to flex, but you just aren't as bright as the others and that annoying kendar keeps taking advantage of that. Hell, even goblins make fun of you. Of course they are all inferior to you (at least thats what you tell yourself), so you end up wondering why everyone either runs or throws rotten fruit at you. You got no friends, your allies are stupid and fail to meet your constant standards.... It was better to stay at home and chew some grass.
I'm just pointing out that you shouldn't judge a race by its stats. Besides, he isn't that much better than the Savage Species lvl 1 Minotaur because he's only medium size.
just my 2 steel
Originally posted by Capn_Charlie
No ecl!?
Unless Dragonlance humans get three feats and a chicken delicious coupon, these minotaurs are totally broken.
It's simple. Pump the creature up.
Originally posted by Archaeon
If a minotaur so you end up wondering why everyone either runs or throws rotten fruit at you. l
That person throwing fruit is awful brave or stupid
And, do minotaurs have tails?
But, the real question remains...
Breats or udder? :D
Originally posted by Archaeon
To join the weapons dispute:
- Take a big hammer. If you hit someone upside the head with it, it hurts. How much it hurts is defined by the strength used to swing it.
A hammer deals whatever damage + strength, so if a Kendar swung the hammer, you probably wouldn't hurt as much as if a minotaur swung it. Catch my drift?
If a Kendar needs to make an impression on a minotaur, he darn well needs some sort of ingenius weapon that deals massive damage regadless of his puny strength.
If a minotaur wields a baseball bat dealing heavy damage, the Kendar would need to whip out a 12 gauge shotgun in order to remotely scare the minotaur.
Nothing is broken on the weapons department.... Unless you count the sick inventions of gnomes
Ok, I think ppl are missing my point. I am NOT doing a direct comparison between Kender Weapons and Minatour weapons. Of course Minatour weapons are better (they are mainly fighters after all), BUT (and this is my main point) for thier size, attitudes, and just everything that is Kender, Kender weapons are WAY powerful. I'm done with this though....it was originally meant to be a joke and I have had to explain WAY to much (repeatedly :sad: ) what I was talking about and all the "why's" and "what-nots"...when I really shouldn't have....oh, well on to the next discussion
.J.Blasingame
I got the joke! :D
Originally posted by Perun
You mean besides the thumb? I'd say four... giving a finger to someone with only three fingers seems silly... :D
I was just rereading "Land of the Minotaurs" by his Lordship Mr. Knaak and I caught a couple of references to minotaurs only having three fingers.
Besides, when you are 7 to 8 feet tall and sport a 2' long pair of horns; who needs to give the "finger"
Originally posted by Perun
And, do minotaurs have tails?
No!
Originally posted by Perun
Breats or udder?
Neither, I always felt that female minotaurs had a semi hairless, muscular "barrel" chest with exposed nipples, looking (to humans) just like that of male minotaurs. I always thought this lack of "human-like breasts" would explain why humans had such a difficult time telling the two minotaur sexes apart!
Originally posted by Lenin97
Don't worry J.Blasingame,
I got the joke! :D
:invasion: :bounce:
good to know...and sorry to everyone for the attitude in my previous post....I'm tired and at work....I sure you guys/gals can understand.
J.Blasingame
If u read The Arena of Istar that can be found on those old dragonlance comics (numbers 9 to 12) u see that she didnt die when the boat went down
Night of Blood's cover shows minotaurs with feet, not hooves. Inside, the chapter heading-y bits show hooves. Who got to say which was which? What is Richard Knaak's view of feet?
I just had a thought! I think that all of Knaak's books metion Minotaurs riding horses also I can think of a few specfic passages in those books where a minotaur rides someone else's horse. You know what that means ...
Stirrups. And you know what goes into stirrups ... Feet!
This is by no means a foolproof solution, I know, but it adds another check in the feet column :D
Originally posted by pddisc
The chapter-y bits with hooves have entirely different legs, and end with hooves.
I think you're talking about Plantigrade and Digitigrade
PLANTIGRADE: Animals that are plantigrade walk in a flat-footed manner. This is a relatively slow way of walking since most of the foot comes in contact with the ground. Most reptiles (like alligators), amphibians (like frogs) and early mammals (plus people and bears) are plantigrade.
DIGITIGRADE: Only a small part of the foot touches the ground and the animal can move very quickly. Many predators are digitigrade. Other animals that are digitigrade include dogs, cats, and birds. There is a pad of tissue on the back of the feet on these animals that acts like a shock absorber. People, bears, and crocodiles walk differently; they are plantigrade (flat-footed).