Monstrous Spider, Jumping

This man-sized spider has an usual pattern of eye placement, with two large eyes on the front of its face, a pair of slightly smaller eyes diagonally above these, and the remaining four atop its head.

Originally Posted by Shade of the En World forums.

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Giant jumping spiders are diurnal, active hunters. Their well developed internal hydraulic system allows them to make great leaps. Jumping spiders are also known for their ability to stand incredibly still while awaiting prey. They are also famous for their curious and inquisitive demeanor.

When a jumping spider is moving from place to place, and especially just before it jumps, it tethers a filament of silk to whatever it is standing on. Should it fall for one reason or another, it Climbs back up the silk tether. Jumping spiders also use their silk to weave small tent-like dwellings where females can protect their eggs, and which also serve as a shelter while molting.

A giant jumping spider is about 5 feet in diameter.

Spider, Jumping
Medium vermin
Hit Dice	2d8+2 (11 hp)
Initiative	+3
Speed	40 ft. (8 squares), Climb 20 ft.
Armor Class	14 (+3 Dexterity, +1 natural), touch 13, flat-footed 11
Base Attack/Grapple	+1/+1
Attack	Bite +4 melee (1d6 plus poison)
Full Attack	Bite +4 melee (1d6 plus poison)
Space/Reach	5 ft./5 ft.
Special Attacks	Poison, web
Special Qualities	Darkvision 60 ft., tremorsense 60 ft., vermin traits
Saves	Fort +4, Ref +3, Will +0
Abilities	Strength 11, Dexterity 17, Constitution 12, Intelligence -, Wisdom 10, Charisma 2
Skills	Climb +11, Hide +7*, Move Silently +11, Jump +27, Spot +8
Feats	Weapon Finesse (B)
Environment	Temperate and warm lands
Organization	Solitary or colony (2-5)
Challenge Rating	1
Treasure	1/10 coins; 50% goods; 50% items
Alignment	Always neutral
Advancement	3 HD (Medium); 4-7 HD (Large); 8-15 HD (Huge)
Level Adjustment	–

COMBAT

A giant jumping spider is an active hunter, stealthily approaching its quarry, but is also capable of standing nearly motionless awaiting the approach of prey. It attacks with a leaping charge once prey is within range.

Lunge (Ex): If a giant jumping spider charges a creature and incoporates a jump as the final part of the charge, it gains a +4 circumstance bonus to its attack roll. Additionally, for every 10 points by which the Jump check exceeds 20, the jumping spider’s charge attack deals an additional +1d6 points of damage. For example, a Jump check result of 34 deals +1d6 points of damage, and a Jump check result of 41 deals +2d6 points of damage.

Poison (Ex): Injury, Fortitude DC 12, initial and secondary damage 2d6 Strength. The save DC is Constitution-based.

Web (Ex): Giant jumping spiders often tether themselves before making a leap. A single strand is strong enough to support the spider and one creature of the same size.

Skills: Jumping spiders have a +4 racial bonus on Hide checks, a +8 racial bonus on Climb, Move Silently, and Spot checks, and a +20 racial bonus on Jump checks. A jumping spider can always choose to take 10 on Climb or Jump checks, even if rushed or threatened. Jumping spiders use either their Strength or Dexterity modifier for Climb and Jump checks, whichever is higher. *They have a +4 racial bonus on Hide checks when in forest environments. This bonus on Hide checks increases to +8 when the spider is immobile.

Originally appeared in Dragon Magazine #67 (1982).