Oblong (3.5e Creature Ability)

Summary::Oblong creatures are non-flexible, unusually long, wide, or tall creatures that do not fit in just one square.

Oblong
Unusually large creatures (particularly objects) may take up more than one square in a way which does not translate into a perfect square. This is in many ways like segmented creatures, but rather than have sections following freely behind the leading section, the sections are instead fused together with one section acting as the center of mass, the axis on which it turns. Thus, a creature whose sections take the shape of a U can turn in place (making no movement) and become a C shape instead. With oblong creatures, facing is important, even if other creatures are allowed to ignore it. Oblong creatures are often contructs, vehicles, or other immobile masses which may take on unusual shapes.

As with segmented creatures, oblong creatures have individual hit point and AC totals, but share all other aspects of the creature. If a section drops below 0 hp, that square is dead or destroyed, but typically retains structural integrity if the rest of the creature lives. Penalties for killing particular sections on the creature vary, as defined in the creature entry. Some sections may be vital and will immediately kill the whole creature. Other segments may cause a reduction in fighting abilities, mobility, or no penalty at all. The entire creature has a hit point total equal to its largest piece plus 1/2 the hit points of all the other sections added together.

Sections turn in relation to its center of gravity, typically the center of the creature. All these sections can provoke attacks of opportunity for movement (as normal) but opponents still only gain one attack of opportunity for the one instance of movement, regardless of how many sections pass by in that movement.

For example, an airship attacks the party. It is composed of 5 Huge sections in a row, with the center section acting as its lead. Damaging the front section reduces its firepower, damaging the rear section reduces its mobility, and damaging the heavily armored middle section with the core inside would destroy the airship completely. Regardless, when they reach the hp total of the entire airship (1/2 the sum of its parts), the airship is destroyed.