Buy me a coffee“Oceanic Glide: The Majestic Manta Ray of the Deep”
“Silent titans of the deep, manta rays sweep through sunlit oceans on vast, shadowed wings, their ghostlike grace and ancient intelligence stirring legends of sea spirits that guard the depths.”
Silent giants of the sea, manta rays drift through sunlit waters like living shadows—vast, intelligent, and hauntingly serene guardians of the deep.
Appearance
With wingspans exceeding twenty feet, manta rays resemble enormous, diamond-shaped kites of muscle and grace. Their smooth, midnight-blue backs fade into pale, ghostlike bellies, while a pair of curved cephalic fins frame their broad mouths like horns of a sea demon. Seen from below, they eclipse the sun—a drifting silhouette of power and calm.
Behaviour
Peaceful and contemplative, manta rays glide through reefs and open seas in near-perfect silence. They are inquisitive yet cautious, circling swimmers or ships with dreamlike patience. Though gentle by nature, a startled manta can lash out with its tail or deliver a thunderous wing strike strong enough to drive off sharks or capsize a small boat.
Habitat
Manta rays inhabit warm coastal waters, coral reefs, and open ocean currents rich in life. They may also be found drifting near enchanted archipelagos, guarding sunken ruins, or soaring through the endless azure of the Elemental Plane of Water.
Modus Operandi
Filter-feeders and wanderers, mantas glide through clouds of plankton, feeding with mouths agape. When threatened, they rely on bursts of speed and sudden rolls to confuse predators—sometimes leaping entirely from the sea in a display both defensive and breathtaking.
Motivation
Moved by instinct and ancient memory, manta rays embody the balance of the sea—tranquil yet immense, gentle yet unstoppable. Legends speak of elder mantas who follow the moon’s tides, guard sacred undersea grottos, or bear the souls of drowned sailors to their final rest beneath the waves.
Manta Ray 5e 2024
Manta Ray, Pathfinder
Manta Ray 3.5
Manta Ray
Large beast, unaligned
Armor Class 12 (natural armor)
Hit Points 45 (6d10 + 12)
Speed swim 50 ft.
| STR | DEX | CON | INT | WIS | CHA |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 17 (+3) | 14 (+2) | 15 (+2) | 2 (−4) | 13 (+1) | 6 (−2) |
Skills Perception +3, Stealth +4
Senses Blindsight 60 ft. (underwater only), passive Perception 13
Languages —
Challenge 1/4 (50 XP)
Proficiency Bonus +2
Traits
Glide of the Deep. They move through water with fluid grace, gaining advantage on Dexterity (Stealth) checks made underwater.
Gentle Giant. Naturally docile, the manta ray avoids confrontation. It reacts defensively only if threatened or trapped.
Echolocation. It senses vibrations and movement through water within 60 feet, granting blindsight (underwater only).
Actions
Fin Buffet (Defensive Only). Melee Weapon Attack: +5 to hit, reach 5 ft., one target.
Hit: 7 (1d10 + 2) bludgeoning damage. Only used if threatened; the target must succeed on a DC 13 Strength saving throw or be pushed 5 feet away.
Escape Rush. The manta ray swims up to its full speed without provoking opportunity attacks, creating a brief cloud of silt that lightly obscures a 10-foot-radius area until the start of its next turn.
Behavior in the Wild
Manta rays drift gracefully through warm seas, feeding on plankton with slow, elegant movements. They are curious but cautious, often circling swimmers or ships without aggression. In fantasy settings, manta rays may serve as serene companions, aquatic mounts, or symbolic guardians of coral reefs and deep ocean currents.
Manta Ray
Large animal, unaligned
CR 1/2; XP 200
Init +2; Senses blindsense 60 ft. (water only), Perception +3
DEFENSE
AC 13, touch 12, flat-footed 11 (+2 Dex, +1 natural)
hp 13 (2d8+4)
Fort +4, Ref +3, Will +1
Defensive Abilities glide of the deep (see below)
OFFENSE
Speed swim 50 ft.
Melee fin buffet +5 (1d6+3)
Space/Reach 10 ft./5 ft.
Special Attacks escape rush (see below)
STATISTICS
Str 17, Dex 14, Con 15, Int 2, Wis 13, Cha 6
Base Atk +1; CMB +5; CMD 17
Feats Improved Initiative, Skill Focus (Perception)
Skills Perception +3, Stealth +4 (+2 underwater)
Languages —
SPECIAL ABILITIES
Glide of the Deep (Ex). The manta ray moves through water with unmatched grace. It gains a +4 bonus on Stealth checks underwater and can move through spaces occupied by smaller creatures without penalty.
Escape Rush (Ex). The manta ray may move up to its full swim speed without provoking attacks of opportunity. This movement creates a brief cloud of silt in a 10-foot-radius area, lightly obscuring the water until the start of its next turn.
Gentle Giant (Ex). Naturally docile, a manta ray avoids combat whenever possible. It uses Fin Buffet only if physically threatened or restrained.
Echolocation (Ex). The manta ray senses vibrations and movement within 60 feet underwater, granting it blindsense in that range.
COMBAT
Manta rays glide gracefully through coral reefs and open seas, feeding on plankton while avoiding confrontation. If cornered, a manta ray may use Fin Buffet to push away threats, then retreat with Escape Rush to vanish into deeper waters. When traveling in groups, they may swim in loose schools, using coordinated movement to confuse predators.
ECOLOGY
Environment: Warm, tropical, and subtropical oceans; coral reefs and open currents
Organization: Solitary or loosely grouped (2–6)
Treasure: None
Manta rays are symbols of grace and balance in the ocean, often revered by aquatic civilizations. They may accompany merchants, guard sacred reefs, or interact peacefully with curious spellcasters.
Manta Ray
These fish are nonaggressive and generally avoid contact with other creatures. They filter plankton and similar small organisms from the water through their gaping, toothless maws.
| Manta Ray | |
| Large animal (Aquatic) | |
| Hit Dice | 4d8 (18 hp) |
| Initiative | +0 |
| Speed | Swim 30 ft. (6 squares) |
| Armor Class | 12 (-1 size, +3 natural), touch 9, flat-footed 12 |
| Base Attack/Grapple | +3/+9 |
| Attack | Ram -1 melee* (1d6+1) |
| Full Attack | Ram -1 melee* (1d6+1) |
| Space/Reach | 10 ft./5 ft. |
| Special Attacks | – |
| Special Qualities | Low-Light Vision |
| Saves | Fort +4, Ref +4, Will +2 |
| Abilities | Strength 15, Dexterity 11, Constitution 10, Intelligence 1, Wisdom 12, Charisma 2 |
| Skills | Listen +7, Spot +6, Swim +10 |
| Feats | Alertness, Endurance |
| Environment | Warm aquatic |
| Organization | Solitary or school (2-5) |
| Challenge Rating | 1 |
| Advancement | 5-6 HD (Medium) |
| Level Adjustment | – |
Combat
*If threatened, it uses its size and weight to ram opponents. This is treated as a secondary attack.
Skills: A manta ray has a +8 racial bonus on any Swim check to perform some special action or avoid a hazard. It can always choose to take 10 on a Swim check, even if distracted or endangered. It can use the run action while swimming, provided it swims in a straight line.