Primal Mantis
Creature 11 — animal
CrasherFlankerLANDVERTICALanimal
These gigantic mantids make their homes within prehistoric forests. These predators possess lightning-quick forelegs and a bone-breaking bite.
Source: wardens-of-wildwood-bestiary
Perception +20; darkvision
Skills acrobatics +18, athletics +25, stealth +22
Str
+8
Dex
+3
Con
+5
Int
-5
Wis
+3
Cha
-2
AC 31
Fort +24
Ref +20
Will +18
HP 220
Speed 50 feet, climb 50 feet
Offense
Melee Mandibles (reach-10) +25, Damage 2d12+14 piercing
Melee Leg (agile, reach-20) +24, Damage 2d10+14 piercing plus Grab
Abilities
Fling — The deadly mantis flings a Grabbed creature into the air, up to 30 feet overhead and up to 30 feet away from the mantis (the creature takes damage from the fall as normal). If the flung creature lands on another creature, the creature it lands on takes the same amount of bludgeoning damage with a DC 31 Reflex save.
Leaping Grab — The mantis Leaps up to 40 feet vertically and 20 feet horizontally. At any point during the jump, it can make a leg Strike. If it hits, it automatically Grabs the target, bringing the creature along until the end of the jump.
Primal Toll — The primal mantis takes 2d6 mental damage whenever it casts a primal innate spell.
Rending Mandibles — The mantis makes a mandibles Strike against a creature it has Grabbed. If that Strike hits and the creature is wearing armor with Hardness 12 or lower, the armor is broken. This Strike doesn't further damage armor that's already broken.
Sudden Strike — On the first round of combat, creatures that haven't acted are Off-Guard to the deadly mantis.
Grab —
Primal Innate Spells DC 27, attack +19
6th Chain Lightning
5th Howling Blizzard
4th Fly
WORKS WELL WITH
WeaverLANDA Weaver's difficult terrain and forced movement align enemies into the Mantis's extreme reach and Leaping Grab range.
ShadeLAND / VERTICALSudden Strike synergizes with a Shade's stealth opener, letting both alpha-strike before enemies can react.
MenderLANDPrimal Toll drains HP on spellcasting, so a Mender's recovery lets the Mantis use innate spells without attrition risk.
PUNISHES
✖ slow initiative✖ clumping✖ heavy armor✖ lack of vertical coverage
Gargantuan size makes dense melee stacking with other large creatures impractical.
Works well with · Punishes · Pairing advice
Unlock with Tactics
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