Buy me a coffeeGiant Grasshopper
A horse-sized grasshopper clings to a massive plant nearby. It leaps forth, and the earth tremors with its landing.
Giant grasshoppers can be found anywhere their lesser kin are common. They are often trained as mounts by insectile humanoids and occasionally other creatures.
The Giant Grasshopper is a fast and deadly creature, using its powerful legs to leap great distances and its antennae and bite to attack its foes. Its tough exoskeleton makes it resistant to most physical damage. Though it is not very intelligent, it is a dangerous foe in combat due to its quick movements and ability to leap great distances. With a CR level of 2, it should provide a challenging encounter for a group of low-level adventurers.
Giant Grasshopper
Medium beast, unaligned
Armor Class 14 Hit Points 65 (10d8 + 20) Speed 50 ft., jump 30 ft.
STR 15 (+2) DEX 20 (+5) CON 14 (+2) INT 2 (-4) WIS 10 (+0) CHA 5 (-3)
Skills Athletics +4, Perception +2 Senses passive Perception 12
Languages –
Challenge 2 (450 XP)
Leaper. It can jump up to 30 feet in a single bound.
Multiattack. It can make two attacks: one with its bite and one with its antennae.
Bite. Melee Weapon Attack: +7 to hit, reach 5 ft., one target. Hit: 10 (2d6 + 3) piercing damage.
Antennae. Melee Weapon Attack: +7 to hit, reach 10 ft., one target. Hit: 8 (1d8 + 5) bludgeoning damage.
Tough Exoskeleton. The giant grasshopper has resistance to piercing and bludgeoning damage.
Equipment. None.
Grasshopper, Giant
Originally Posted by Shade of the En World forums.
| Grasshopper, Giant | |
| Large vermin | |
| Hit Dice | 3d8+6 (19 hp) |
| Initiative | +1 |
| Speed | 30 ft. (6 squares) |
| Armor Class | 15 (-1 size, +1 Dexterity, +5 natural), touch 10, flat-footed 14 |
| Base Attack/Grapple | +2/+9 |
| Attack | Slam +4 melee (1d8+3) or bite +4 melee (1d4+3) |
| Full Attack | Slam +4 melee (1d8+3) or bite +4 melee (1d4+3) |
| Space/Reach | 10 ft./5 ft. |
| Special Attacks | — |
| Special Qualities | Darkvision 60 ft., great leaper, limited flight, vermin traits |
| Saves | Fort +5, Ref +2, Will +1 |
| Abilities | Strength 17, Dexterity 12, Constitution 15, Intelligence —, Wisdom 10, Charisma 11 |
| Skills | Hide +1, Jump +33, Spot +4 |
| Feats | — |
| Environment | Any temperate or warm land |
| Organization | Solitary or swarm (2-20) |
| Challenge Rating | 2 |
| Treasure | None |
| Alignment | Always neutral |
| Advancement | 4-10 HD (Large), 11-17 HD (Huge), 18-20 HD (Gargantuan) |
| Level Adjustment | – |
Combat
A giant grasshopper is non-aggressive, preferring flight to fight. It normally injures others only if they get in its way as it attempts its escape…or happen to be too close to where it lands. A giant grasshopper trained as a mount fights alongside its rider.
Great Leaper (Ex): A giant grasshopper has a +30 racial bonus on Jump checks. A giant grasshopper treats all Jump checks as if it had a 20-foot running start. For purposes of determining distance, a giant grasshopper treats vertical leaps as if they were horizontal leaps. Thus, a giant grasshopper with a Jump check result of 40 can leap 40 feet vertically or horizontally.
Limited Flight (Ex): A grasshopper may Fly at at a speed of 60 feet (average), but must begin and end its flight in the same round. As a full-round action, a giant grasshopper may combine its limited flight and great leaper abilities to cover greater ground.
Skills: A giant grasshopper has a +4 racial bonus on Hide and Spot checks. *Because of its camouflage, the Hide bonus increases to +12 when a grasshopper is surrounded by foliage.
Originally appeared in Rules Cyclopedia (1991).