Fish; Giant Rockfish
by Jamie BatyEX, RC 177
Huge Animal (Aquatic)
Hit Dice: 5d8+25 (47 hp)
Initiative: +0
Speed: swim 60 ft. (12 squares)
Armour Class: 12 (-2 size, +4 natural), touch 8, flat-footed 12
Base Attack/Grapple: +3/+14
Attack: Spikes +4 melee (1d4 +3 plus poison)
Full Attack: 4 Spikes +4 melee (1d4 +3 plus poison)
Space/Reach: 15 ft. /10 ft.
Special Attacks: Poison
Special Qualities: Dangerous to touch, low-light vision, tremorsense
Saves: Fort +9, Ref +4, Will +2
Abilities: Str 16, Dex 10, Con 20, Int 2, Wis 12, Cha 8
Skills: Hide +8, Listen +5, Move Silently +4, Spot +5, Swim +11
Feats: Alertness, Stealthy
Environment: Any aquatic
Organisation: Solitary, or Cluster (2-5)
Challenge Rating: 3
Treasure: None
Alignment: Always neutral
Advancement: 6-10 HD (Huge); 11-15 HD (Gargantuan)
Level Adjustment: -
This fish, found in shallow saltwater, is very difficult to spot. It is often mistaken for a large rock. They are roughly 16ft long, and covered with sharp, poisonous spines. They are seemingly oblivious to anything around them, but are well aware of approaching predators.
Combat
Despite their appearance, these fish are normally peaceful, only attacking if disturbed. They attack by trying to smash their spines into their foes. Due to the difficulty of this, all of the spine attacks made in a round must be directed at the same foe.
Poison (Ex): Any creature that is damaged by the giant rockfish's spikes must make a DC 17 (Con based) Fortitude save or be poisoned. The poison inflicts 2d6 Con damage, both primary and secondary.
Dangerous to Touch (Ex): In addition to being used offensively, the giant rockfish's spikes provide an active defence. Any creature attacking the giant rockfish with a melee weapon must succeed on a DC 12 (Dex based) Reflex save or suffer 1d4 damage and may be poisoned. The save DC is 14 for melee touch attacks and unarmed strikes. Any creature attempting to grapple a giant rockfish immediately suffers 4d4 damage and may be poisoned.
Tremorsense (Ex): A giant rockfish is sensitive to vibrations in the water and can automatically pinpoint the location of anything that is moving through the water within 120ft.
Skills: A giant rockfish has a +12 racial bonus to all Hide checks. A giant rockfish gains a +8 racial bonus to any swim check. It may always 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.