View source for Publication:Dread Codex/Monsters/Death Roach

=== Combat ===

Death roaches serve no one. Fearless to the point of recklessness, they grow more effective individually when more of their numbers congregate. While initially bold, solitary death roaches flee when damaged (reduced to 10 hit points or lower). However, multiple death roaches pose a significant surprise to those unfamiliar with them as a group (see [[#Collective Mind|Collective Mind]] below).

'''{{Anchor|Disease}} ([[Ex]]):''' Festering ague &mdash; claw or bite; Fortitude save DC 13, incubation 1d4 days, damage 1d3 Str and 1d3 Con. Any day during which a victim takes 3 points of Constitution damage, he must make an additional saving throw or suffer 1 point of that damage as permanent drain.

'''{{Anchor|Frightful Presence}} ([[Ex]]):''' 30 feet; Will DC 9 negates; shaken for 2d6 rounds if less than 3 HD, [[SRD:Shaken|Shaken]] for 1d4 rounds if 4 HD or more. For each death roach the victim can see beyond the first, the save DC is increased by +2. If any creature fails the save by 5 or more, it is frightened rather than shaken.

'''{{Anchor|Collective Mind}} ([[Su]]):''' For every 3 death roaches congregated within 100 feet of each other (even if separated by stone, earth, water, or other nonmagical barriers), each gains an effective Intelligence bonus of +2 for the purpose of its relative capacity to make tactical decisions (to a maximum effective Intelligence of 10). Thus, if 15 or more death roaches are present, they can react as logically and effectively to changes in local conditions, environment, and other stimuli as an average human might.

Further, if 5 or more roaches are within 100 feet of each other, each gains the benefit of the Combat Expertise feat; if 10 or more are present, they also gain the benefit of the Improved Trip feat. This ability does not allow the death roaches to actually communicate information in any way.

'''Skills:''' Death roaches have a +2 racial bonus on Move Silently checks and a +8 racial bonus on Climb, Hide, and Swim checks. They can always choose to take 10 on Climb and Swim checks, even if rushed or threatened. They can use the run action while swimming, provided they swim in a straight line.
Alignment	Always neutral evil +
Challenge Rating	3 +
Environment	Warm forest or marsh +
Level Adjustment	– +
Size	Large +
Title	Death Roach +
Type	Undead +