I was finally able to use this creature in the most recent session of my Freeport game, which means that I can now share it here. Two beetles did not pose a serious danger to the party as a whole (who are now 8th level), but their bite was brutal enough to nearly take out the party ranger, who was unlucky enough to suffer a critical hit (which fell one point short of forcing my campaign's first save vs. massive damage!). I was quite pleased with my new beastie, who my players won't forget anytime soon.
BEETLE, DEADFALL
What you first mistook for a fallen tree now stirs, revealing itself to be a gigantic insect with legs and mandibles resembling twisted, dead tree limbs or roots. It rushes forward to attack.
DEADFALL BEETLE (CR 6)
XP 2,400
N Huge vermin
Init +1; Senses darkvision 60 ft.; Perception +0
N Huge vermin
Init +1; Senses darkvision 60 ft.; Perception +0
Defense
AC 21, touch 9, flat-footed 20 (+1 Dex, +12 natural, -2 size)
hp 60 (8d8+24)
Fort +9, Ref +3, Will +2
Immune mind-affecting effects
AC 21, touch 9, flat-footed 20 (+1 Dex, +12 natural, -2 size)
hp 60 (8d8+24)
Fort +9, Ref +3, Will +2
Immune mind-affecting effects
Offense
Speed 40 ft., fly 20 ft. (clumsy)
Melee bite +12 (2d8+12 plus grab)
Space 15 ft.; Reach 10 ft.
Special Attacks trample (1d8+12, DC 21)
Statistics
Speed 40 ft., fly 20 ft. (clumsy)
Melee bite +12 (2d8+12 plus grab)
Space 15 ft.; Reach 10 ft.
Special Attacks trample (1d8+12, DC 21)
Statistics
Str 26, Dex 12, Con 16, Int --, Wis 10, Cha 4
Base Atk +6; CMB +16 (+20 grapple); CMD 27 (32 vs. trip)
Skills Fly -6, Stealth +2 (+10 in forest or jungle); Racial Modifiers +8 Stealth (+16 in forest or jungle)
Base Atk +6; CMB +16 (+20 grapple); CMD 27 (32 vs. trip)
Skills Fly -6, Stealth +2 (+10 in forest or jungle); Racial Modifiers +8 Stealth (+16 in forest or jungle)
Ecology
Environment warm or temperate forests
Organization solitary or pair
Treasure none
A deadfall beetle is an ambush predator who waits near game trails or water sources for prey to come within its reach. When motionless in forested areas, its excellent camouflage makes it appear to be harmless fallen tree with several large branches remaining more or less intact. This insect is also a scavenger, and will attack other creatures in order to claim a large carcass for itself. In general, it will attack most Large or Medium creatures that it encounters while hungry. Smaller creatures are usually ignored unless they attack the beetle first or bar its way to larger prey.
Deadfall beetles are territorial, and will drive off other monstrous vermin except during the brief mating season. If a displaced beetle has to travel a long distance to find a new hunting ground, its offspring (if any) adapt to match the new location's tree species within a generation or two.
Some sages claim that the deadfall beetle is actually a monstrous version of the walking stick insect, and not a beetle at all. Few adventurers concern themselves with this distinction when faced by what appears to be an full-sized tree rather than a mere twig or branch.
Treasure none
A deadfall beetle is an ambush predator who waits near game trails or water sources for prey to come within its reach. When motionless in forested areas, its excellent camouflage makes it appear to be harmless fallen tree with several large branches remaining more or less intact. This insect is also a scavenger, and will attack other creatures in order to claim a large carcass for itself. In general, it will attack most Large or Medium creatures that it encounters while hungry. Smaller creatures are usually ignored unless they attack the beetle first or bar its way to larger prey.
Deadfall beetles are territorial, and will drive off other monstrous vermin except during the brief mating season. If a displaced beetle has to travel a long distance to find a new hunting ground, its offspring (if any) adapt to match the new location's tree species within a generation or two.
Some sages claim that the deadfall beetle is actually a monstrous version of the walking stick insect, and not a beetle at all. Few adventurers concern themselves with this distinction when faced by what appears to be an full-sized tree rather than a mere twig or branch.
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