Eurypterid, Megarachne (3.5e Creature)
Eurypterid, Megarachne[edit]
| N Tiny Vermin (Aquatic) | |
| Init/Senses | +3/Listen +0, Spot +0 |
| AC | 17, touch 15, flat-footed 14 (+2 size, +2 natural) |
| hp | 2 (1 HD) |
| Immune | Mind-affecting effects |
| Fort/Ref/Will | +2/+4/+0 |
| Speed | 15 ft., swim 30 ft. |
| Melee | 2 Claws +5 melee (1d3-3), Stinger +5¹ melee (1d6-3, poison) |
| Space/Reach | 5 ft./0 ft. (5 ft. with stinger) |
| Base Atk/Grp | +0/-11 |
| Abilities | Str 5, Dex 16, Con 11, Int ―, Wis 10, Cha 2 |
| SQ | Amphibious, low-light vision, tremorsense² 60 ft., vermin traits |
| Feats | Weapon Finesse |
| Skills | Hide +15³, Swim +3³ |
| Advancement | — |
| Possessions | ― |
| Poison (Ex) | A megarachne has a poisonous sting. This sting requires a Fortitude save (DC 11) to avoid taking 1d2 Strength damage; this save is done once per round for a duration of 4 rounds; on the fourth round, the creature will also become paralyzed if they do not succeed this save. A successful save ends the poison's ongoing duration. |
| Attach (Ex) | If a megarachne hits with a claw attack, it uses its sharp-pointed legs to latch onto the opponent’s body and automatically deals claw damage each round it remains attached. An attached megarachne loses its Dexterity bonus to Armor Class and has an AC of 14. An attached megarachne can be struck with a weapon or grappled itself. To remove an attached megarachne through grappling, the opponent must achieve a pin against the creature.
¹The megarachne gains a +5 bonus to Stinger attack rolls against a creature which it is currently attached to. |
Springing out from a thin covering of mud is a creature which in many ways resembles a spider. Its legs, however bear many segments, and each sweeps backward toward a sharp point. The beast's back terminates in a lobster-like tail, which has at its end a spade-shaped barb with a pointed tube shape at the middle.
The megarachne is a species of eurypterid which superficially resembles a spider. It is an ambush predator which feeds mostly on fish, amphibians, and unwary animals which drink from the water in which it hides.
²A megarachne's tremorsense only functions while it and those it could potentially sense are both in contact with the same body of water (or if a creature is in contact with ground which touches this body of water directly, such as the bed of a muddy lake). ³A megarachne uses its Dexterity modifier for Swim checks. It has a +4 racial bonus to Hide checks made in its natural habitat (swamps), as well as in any muddy body of water or muddy ground.
Strategies and Tactics[edit]
Megarachnae primarily hunt small bottom-dwelling prey which hide in and along the muddy ground. The creature anchors its clawed legs into the mud and waits until it senses vabration between its limbs; it then latches onto its prey and delivers a brutal sting. It is also known to chase down prey in the water, such as fish. It can also ambush prey near the shore by half-burying its body in mud, either on land or just barely in the shallows. Their strong venom makes them less wary of larger creatures - the megarachne will pursue prey several times its size, as its sting can easily render its prey immobile.
Ecology[edit]
Environment: Megarachnae live in waterlogged swamps and muddy bodies of freshwater (such as lakes, creeks, and ponds). They spend nearly all of their time in the water. Megarachne meat is undesirable and fairly cheap, as it tastes bitter and metallic. Their venom, however, is prized, easily selling for 200 gp when offered to the right buyer.
Back to Main Page → 3.5e Homebrew → Creatures → CR 1/2