Giant Grasshopper
A horse-sized grasshopper clings to a massive plant nearby. It leaps forth, and the earth tremors with its landing.
Originally Posted by Shade of the En World forums.
Giant grasshoppers can be found anywhere their lesser kin are common. They are often trained as mounts by insectile humanoids and occasionally other creatures.
| 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).