Tikbalang
Creature 9 (uncommon) — beast
FlankerShadeLANDbeastocculttrickstershapeshifter
Tikbalangs are forest creatures that delight in leading travelers astray. They deceive and mislead with their formidable magic, leaping from tree to tree while laughing or neighing uncontrollably. While not malicious, neither are they empathetic to the plight of their victims. Tikbalangs would sooner forget about those whom they've tricked and leave these unfortunate souls to die than lead them back to their intended path through guilty altruism. Tikbalangs' occult magic stems from the esoteric
Source: pathfinder-monster-core-2
Perception +16; low-light-vision
Languages common, fey
Skills athletics +20 (+22 to Grapple), deception +21, nature +14, stealth +17, survival +16
Str
+5
Dex
+4
Con
+4
Int
-1
Wis
+3
Cha
+6
AC 27
Fort +19
Ref +17
Will +14
HP 197
Weaknesses mental 10
Speed 30 feet
Offense
Melee Fist (agile) +20, Damage 2d6+8 bludgeoning
Melee Hoof (reach-10) +20, Damage 2d10+8 bludgeoning
Abilities
Believe the Lie — The tikbalang takes a –2 circumstance penalty to saves against illusion spells and to their Will DC against checks to Lie to them.
Change Shape (concentrate, occult, polymorph) — The tikbalang takes on the appearance of any Medium or Large humanoid. This doesn't change the tikbalang's Speed or their attack and damage modifiers with their Strikes.
The monster changes its shape indefinitely. It can use this action again to return to its natural shape or adopt a new shape. Unless otherwise noted, a monster cannot use Change Shape to appear as a specific individual. Using Change Shape counts as creating a disguise for the Impersonate use of Deception. The monster's transformation automatically defeats Perception DCs to determine whether the creature is a member of the ancestry or creature type into which it transformed, and it gains a +4 status bonus to its Deception DC to prevent others from seeing through its disguise. Change Shape abilities specify what shapes the monster can adopt. The monster doesn't gain any special abilities of the new shape, only its physical form. For example, in each shape, it replaces its normal Speeds and Strikes, and might potentially change its senses or size. Any changes are listed in its stat block.
The monster changes its shape indefinitely. It can use this action again to return to its natural shape or adopt a new shape. Unless otherwise noted, a monster cannot use Change Shape to appear as a specific individual. Using Change Shape counts as creating a disguise for the Impersonate use of Deception. The monster's transformation automatically defeats Perception DCs to determine whether the creature is a member of the ancestry or creature type into which it transformed, and it gains a +4 status bonus to its Deception DC to prevent others from seeing through its disguise. Change Shape abilities specify what shapes the monster can adopt. The monster doesn't gain any special abilities of the new shape, only its physical form. For example, in each shape, it replaces its normal Speeds and Strikes, and might potentially change its senses or size. Any changes are listed in its stat block.
Flailing Thrash — The tikbalang makes two fist Strikes, with each Strike dealing an extra 1d6 untyped damage against creatures grabbing or Grabbed or Restrained by the tikbalang. The multiple attack penalty doesn't increase until after both attacks.
Unnatural Leap — The tikbalang jumps up to their Speed horizontally, or half that vertically.
Occult Innate Spells DC 29, attack +21
8th Quandary (once per week)
4th Mirage
3rd Hypnotize
WORKS WELL WITH
AnvilLANDA durable frontline occupies the party's attention while the tikbalang uses Change Shape and its leap to reposition unseen.
SnareLANDTerrain or movement control keeps targets close enough for the tikbalang's Flailing Thrash to punish any creature grabbing or Grabbed by it.
CrasherLANDA hard-hitting bruiser converts the confusion from the tikbalang's disguise into decisive damage.
PUNISHES
✖ grapple reliance✖ low Perception✖ overextension
Pairing with another disguise-reliant Shade risks diluting the surprise value both depend on.
Works well with · Punishes · Pairing advice
Unlock with Tactics
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