I hope you enjoy the mantis ray, and I'll see you next time with another monster. Thanks for reading!
This odd creature is
an amalgam of manta ray and praying mantis.
Mantis Ray CR 2
XP 600
N Medium animal (aquatic)
Init +6; Senses blindsense 30 ft., low-light
vision; Perception +5
DEFENSE
AC 14, touch 12,
flat-footed 12 (+2 Dex, +2 natural)
hp 22 (3d8+9)
Fort +6, Ref +5, Will +2
OFFENSE
Speed 30 ft.,
swim 40 ft.
Melee 2 claws +4
(1d3+2 plus grab), tail slap +4 (1d4+2)
Special Attacks
decapitating bite, pounce
STATISTICS
Str 14, Dex 15, Con 16, Int 1, Wis 13, Cha 8
Base Atk +2; CMB +4 (+8 grapple); CMD 16 (24 vs. trip)
Feats Improved
Initiative, Skill Focus (Acrobatics)
Skills Acrobatics
+9 (+13 when jumping), Perception +5, Stealth +6, Swim +10; Racial Modifiers +4 Acrobatics when
jumping
SQ amphibious,
camouflage
ECOLOGY
Environment any
aquatic and shorelines
Organization solitary,
pair, or flight (3–12)
Treasure none
SPECIAL ABILITIES
Camouflage (Ex) A
mantis ray can take a full-round action, which incurs attacks of opportunity,
to bury itself in loose sand or soil, granting itself a +8 circumstance bonus
to Stealth checks. It can charge from its hiding spot, but its base speed is
reduced by 10 feet.
Decapitating Bite
(Ex) If a mantis ray begins its turn grappling an opponent, it can make a
free bite attack against that opponent. The bite deals 1d6 (plus Strength
modifier) points of damage and has a critical threat range of 17-20. If the
mantis ray confirms the critical with its bite attack, the victim must succeed
at a DC 13 Fortitude save or lose its head, and die if it requires its head to
survive. The save DC is Strength-based.
The horrific experiments pairing a manta ray and a praying
mantis have been lost to the mists of time, but the resultant creatures have
proven fruitful enough to plague waterways and beaches since then. Mantis rays
can survive outside the water for long periods of time and have adapted their
hunting techniques to use the beach to hide themselves from potential prey
until they leap to the attack. Fortunately, their awkward body shapes make it
difficult to employ their lethal bites from their undersides. Once they have
ensnared victims in their claws, though, they can maneuver the prey into
position where they can behead the prey with razor-sharp teeth.
MANTIS RAY COMPANION
This bizarre creature can be taken as an animal companion.
Starting Statistics:
Size Small; Speed 20 ft., swim 40 ft.; Attack
2 claws (1d2 plus grab), tail slap (1d3); Ability
Scores Str 10, Dex 17, Con 14, Int 1, Wis 13, Cha 8; SQ amphibious, camouflage, low-light vision.
7th-Level Advancement:
Size Medium; Speed 30 ft., swim 40 ft.; Attack
2 claws (1d3 plus grab), tail slap (1d4); Ability
Scores Str +4, Dex –2, Con +2; Special
Attacks decapitating bite; SQ +4
Acrobatics when jumping, blindsense 30 ft.
