General Rules: Monsters - Hauncher

Hauncher (modified for rules compliance from Mercenaries)
Large Animal

Hit Dice: 8d8+24 (60 hit points)
Initiative: +0
Speed: 30 feet
Armor Class: 16 (-1 size, +7 natural); touch 9, flat-footed 16
BAB/Grapple: +6/+14
Attack: Claw +10 melee (2d4+4, piercing and slashing, 20 x2)

Full Attack: 2 claws +10 melee (2d4+4, piercing and slashing, 20 x2)

Space/Reach: 5 feet by 10 feet/5 feet
Special Attacks: -
Special Qualities: None
Saves: Fortitude +9, Reflex +6, Will +2
Abilities: Str 19, Int 2, Wis 11, Dex 11, Con 16, Cha 3
Skills: Listen +6, Spot +6
Feats: Endurance, Skill Augmentation (Listen and Spot), Weapon Focus (Claw)
Environment: Any land
Organization: Solitary or herd (2 - 12)
Challenge Rating: 4
Treasure: None
Alignment: Always neutral
Advancement: 9 - 12 HD (Large)

Haunchers are tall bipedal mammals whose hardiness and speed make them much desired as cavalry mounts. They move about on their strong, thick legs in a semi-eract posture, so that a Medium humanoid can sit cradled between their neck and back (hence their name).

Despite their size and their ungainly look, they can move at considerable speed, and their thick hide makes them durable in combat. Haunchers are also adaptable beasts, and they operate without complaint in subarctic cold and tropical heat, open plain, and thick jungle alike.

Missile troops in particular like having haunchers as mounts because they sit high enough that it distances them from the fray of melee combat. Reaching a hauncher's rider with anythingt other than polearms or longspears is difficult. The fact that haunchers go about on two legs also allows them to strike with their claws without rearing up and making it difficult for their riders to target a foe.

Haunchers cannot pull chariots because they stand too high. Anyone riding in the chariot would not be able to see directly in front of them.

Combat
Haunchers strike with their claws in melee combat, and do so without disrupting any attacks that their riders may wish to perform.

A Medium or smaller creature attempting to strike a rider on hauncherback with any melee weapon that does not have reach (such as a polearm or longspear)l, receives a -2 circumstance penalty to attack rolls.

Home     Three Worlds     Monsters