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Giant Hippocampus

Creature 8 (uncommon) — animal, aquatic

FlankerAnvilAQUATICLANDanimal

Living in the deepest reaches of the ocean, giant hippocampi haven't been sighted near the shore and are often regarded as legends made up by sailors. The strange beasts known as hippocampi resemble terrestrial horses from head to midbody, but on their legs, they have splayed fins instead of hooves, and in place of horses' hindquarters, they have powerful tails resembling those of fish. Hippocampi have colorful scales ranging from pearly white to seaweed green, and brilliant ribbed dorsal fins

Source: pathfinder-monster-core

Perception +16; darkvision, scent (imprecise) 30 feet
Skills acrobatics +14, athletics +20
Str
+6
Dex
+4
Con
+7
Int
-4
Wis
+4
Cha
+1
AC 27 Fort +18 Ref +16 Will +14
HP 170
Speed 10 feet, swim 80 feet

Offense

Melee Tail (reach-15) +18, Damage 2d6+10 bludgeoning

Abilities

Buck — DC 28 Reflex

Most monsters that serve as mounts can attempt to buck off unwanted or annoying riders, but most mounts will not use this reaction against a trusted creature unless the mounts are spooked or mistreated.

Trigger A creature Mounts or uses the Command an Animal action while riding the monster.

Effect The triggering creature must succeed at a Reflex saving throw against the listed DC or fall off the creature and land Prone. If the save is a critical failure, the triggering creature also takes 1d6 bludgeoning damage in addition to the normal damage for the fall.
Sudden Retreat — The giant hippocampus makes a tail Strike, then Swims with a +10-foot circumstance bonus to its swim Speed. It gains a +2 circumstance bonus to AC against reactions triggered by this movement.

WORKS WELL WITH

SnareAQUATICA controller that restricts movement in the water keeps foes from chasing the hippocampus down after each retreat.
SniperAQUATIC / LANDA ranged attacker capitalizes on targets the hippocampus strikes and then Swims away from before they can close the distance again.
WeaverAQUATICA caster's control effects cover the gap while the hippocampus repositions after its own Strike.

PUNISHES

✖ melee overextension✖ static positioning✖ low mobility
Avoid pairing with another mobile hit-and-run skirmisher; the confined water space limits how many retreating bodies can maneuver without colliding.
Works well with · Punishes · Pairing advice Unlock with Tactics

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Stat block data sourced from the Foundry VTT PF2E system under the Apache License 2.0. Source book: Pathfinder Monster Core.

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