Small beast (giant animal), unaligned
Armor Class 12
Hit Points 7 (2d6)
Speed 30 ft.
Proficiency Bonus +2
Proficiency Bonus +2 (5th Edition Advanced Mode)
| STR | DEX | CON | INT | WIS | CHA |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 7 (-2) | 15 (+2) | 11 (+0) | 2 (-4) | 10 (+0) | 4 (-3) |
Skills (suggested) Perception +2
Senses darkvision 60 ft., passive Perception 10
Languages –
Challenge 1/8 (25 XP)
Keen Smell. The rat has advantage on Wisdom (Perception) checks that rely on smell.
Pack Tactics. The rat has advantage on an attack roll against a creature if at least one of the rat’s allies is within 5 feet of the creature and the ally isn’t incapacitated.
ACTIONS
- Bite. Melee Weapon Attack: +4 to hit, reach 5 ft., one target. Hit: 4 (1d4 + 2) piercing damage.
DESCRIPTION
A giant rat is a monstrous version of a common rat, enlarged and mutated by magic, disease, or other factors. A giant rat is about the size of a small dog, with coarse fur, yellow teeth, and a long, scaly tail. Its eyes are usually red or black, and its ears are large and pointed. A giant rat has a keen sense of smell and can detect the presence of enemies or food from a distance. Some giant rats are intelligent enough to understand simple commands or even speak a few words of a humanoid language.
Giant rats are brown/black in color with white underbellies, and are related to the brown rat, with fatter bodies and shorter tails. They plague underground areas such as crypts and dungeons, where they cheat ghouls of their prizes by tunneling to newly interred corpses. Their burrows honeycomb many graveyards and other dark and filthy places. As with normal rats, any creature bitten by a giant rat has a chance per wound of catching a debilitating disease, such as filth fever or lycanthropy. A giant rat that is infected with lycanthropy can transform into a hybrid form or a humanoid form, becoming a wererat. Giant rats avoid attacking strong parties unless driven by hunger or commanded by creatures such as vampires and wererats. Giant rats are fearful of fire and flee from it except if driven by hunger or magic. They are excellent swimmers and can attack in water as well as on land.
COMBAT
A giant rat is not a formidable opponent on its own, but it can be dangerous in large numbers. Giant rats often hunt in packs, using their pack tactics to gain advantage on their attacks. They prefer to ambush their prey, hiding in dark corners or burrows until they sense an opportunity to strike. A giant rat’s bite can inflict a painful wound that may become infected if not treated properly.
HABITAT / SOCIETY
Giant rats are usually found in dark and filthy places, such as dungeons, sewers, crypts, or graveyards. They feed on carrion, garbage, or any living creature they can catch. Giant rats are territorial and will defend their nests from intruders. They communicate with each other through squeaks, hisses, and body language. Some giant rats form bonds with other creatures, such as goblins, kobolds, or tasloi, who may use them as mounts, pets, or guards. A wererat can control other giant rats within its territory and may use them to spy on or harass its enemies.
ECOLOGY
Giant rats are scavengers and predators that play an important role in the ecosystem of the underground. They help to decompose organic matter and control the population of smaller rodents and insects. Giant rats reproduce quickly and can adapt to almost any environment. They are often considered pests by civilized races and are hunted down by adventurers, guards, or exterminators.