Deathclaw (3.5e Monster)



''As you walk through the salt flats something moves in the corner of your eye. Suddenly a beast rises out of the ground in a flash, four deadly claws snapping out like snakes and burrowing into your flesh.''

Deathclaws are deadly predators of the Gokian deserts far away. They resemble large birds or dinosaurs, their head composed entirely of a four-sectioned mouth, with a large eyestalk on top and two smaller sensory organs hanging off the sides. Instead of arms, it possesses four claws pressed tight against its body. With but a thought they snap out rapidly at anything nearby, and to those unfortunate victims struck by all four claws, the wounds are grievous indeed. Extremely fast and nimble, they normally are still, laying in shallow pits dug into the waste floor, with their backs patterned like the ground and their eyestalk allowing them to spy over the edge.

Combat
Deathclaws are usually laying low in their pits, waiting for prey to pass near. They promptly jump from their hiding spots and charge, lashing out with all their attacks and trying to rend their opponent with rapid hit and run attacks. If the enemy does not fall quickly, it runs and waits til the enemy leaves, sometimes planning an assault at a later date.

Grievous Rend (Ex): A deathclaw that hits with all four claw attacks latches onto the opponent’s body and tears the flesh. This attack automatically deals an extra 4d8+8 points of damage and causes a wound that resists healing. The damage done by the rend can only be healed on a DC 15 Heal check or curative magic that succeeds on a DC 15 caster level check.

Pounce (Ex): If a deathclaw charges, it can make a full attack.

Twisted Charge (Ex): A deathclaw need not move in a straight line to make a successful charge.

Skills: A deathclaw has a +8 racial bonus on Hide in desert terrain, and in Jump, Listen, Spot, and Survival checks.