Rock Crab (3.5e Monster)

= Rock Crab =

''The mountains along the Spine of the World are strewn with smooth, greyish rocks that at first glance appear nothing but rocks. Rocks that mysteriously follow people when they do not look, and prove next to immobile and inanimate when faced. These usually complacent rocks will, however, become deadly creatures when disturbed.''

A rock crab is a large landbound crustacean whose body is almost entirely composed of hard minerals, giving it its formidable protection. The outer shell and outer limb carapace of its body, when compressed together, gives the crab the shape of an oblate spheroid rock. When provoked however, it relinquishes its natural disguise and shows its crab-like shape. The rock crab's body is about 3 feet from end to end, and its arms and jagged, barbed scissors when unfolded reach about two feet away. Rock crabs weigh between 165 and 310 pounds.

Combat
A rock crab, although not quick, will prefer to flee from confrontation or use its innate natural disguise to disappear. Usually only when attacked or when interlopers run afoul of one of their breeding places will these creatures take action.

 Natural Disguise (Ex):  A rock crab has a natural disguise; in rest it has the shape of a featureless, smooth grey rock. Recognizing a rock crab with its natural disguise active requires a DC 23 Spot check. Unfurling its body or disguising itself takes 1 move action and may be done at will. When it disguises itself as a rock, it is no longer subject to critical hits.

 Blindsense(Ex):  A rock crab, whether disguised or not, can locate creatures within 60 feet by nonvisual means (mostly hearing and scent, but also by noticing vibration and other environmental clues). Opponents that the rock crab can't actually see still have total concealment against it.

 Improved Grab (Ex):  To use this ability, a rock crab must hit an opponent of any size with one of its scissors attacks. It can then attemp to start a grapple as a free action without provoking an attack of opportunity. If it wins the grapple check, it establishes a hold and automatically deals damage from its scissors.

 Scissors Rend (Ex):  On a successful grapple check, a rock crab deals 1d4+2 points of damage. Since it has two scissors, it may still attack with its free scissors during its turn.

Skills: Rock crabs get a +6 racial bonus on grapple checks as well as a +4 racial bonus on Listen and Spot.