Large monstrosity, lawful evil
Armor Class 14 (Natural Armor)
Hit Points 68 (8d10+24)
Speed 30 ft., fly 50 ft.
Proficiency Bonus +2
Proficiency Bonus +4 (5th Edition Advanced Mode)
| STR | DEX | CON | INT | WIS | CHA |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 17 (+3) | 16 (+3) | 17 (+3) | 7 (-2) | 12 (+1) | 8 (-1) |
Saving Throws (suggested) Str +5, Dex +5, Con +5
Senses Darkvision 60 ft., passive Perception 11
Languages Common
Challenge 3 (700 XP)
Tail Spike Regrowth. The manticore has twenty-four tail spikes. Used spikes regrow when the manticore finishes a long rest.
ACTIONS
- Multiattack. The manticore makes three attacks: one with its bite and two with its claws or three with its tail spikes.
- Bite. Melee Weapon Attack: +5 to hit, reach 5 ft., one target. Hit: (1d8 + 3) piercing damage.
- Claw. Melee Weapon Attack: +5 to hit, reach 5 ft., one target. Hit: (1d6 + 3) slashing damage.
- Tail Spike. Ranged Weapon Attack: +5 to hit, range 100/200 ft., one target. Hit: (1d8 + 3) piercing damage.
5th Edition Advanced Mode
Limiting the power of a character and making the overall difficulty of the game harder, does not reduce the creativity, indeed it does quite the opposite.
The Game Master has the option to use any and all of the instances proposed in this guide, or just some of them according to their preference.
It is the lack of something that move and motivate characters, not the abundance of it
DESCRIPTION
A manticore is a fearsome beast that combines the features of a lion, a dragon, and a human. It has a leonine body covered with brown fur, a pair of bat-like wings that allow it to fly, and a humanoid head with a mane of spikes. Its most distinctive feature is its long tail, which ends in a cluster of sharp spikes that it can hurl at its enemies with deadly accuracy. A manticore’s eyes are usually red or yellow, and its teeth and claws are exceptionally strong and sharp. A manticore can speak Common, but it rarely does so, preferring to communicate with roars and growls .
A manticore stands 6 feet tall at the shoulder and measures 15 feet in length. It has a 25-foot wingspan. Each section of the manticore closely resembles the creature it imitates. The leonine torso has a tawny hide, the mane is a lion’s brown-black color, and the batlike wings are a dark brown with sparse hair. All manticores have heads that resemble humanoid males; the mane resembles a heavy beard and long hair.
COMBAT
A manticore is a cunning and aggressive predator that enjoys hunting and killing prey. It prefers to attack from the air, swooping down on unsuspecting victims and slashing them with its claws or biting them with its fangs. It can also use its tail spikes as ranged weapons, launching them at targets up to 200 feet away. A manticore has 24 tail spikes, which regrow after a long rest . A manticore is not afraid to fight multiple opponents at once, using its multiattack ability to strike with its bite, claws, or tail spikes. A manticore is also resistant to some forms of magic, such as spells that affect its mind or emotions.
A manticore first fires a volley of tail spikes. Next, the manticore closes with its prey and attacks with its front claws and sharp teeth. In an outdoor setting, the manticore tries to stay in the air to minimize its chance of being attacked. It is a clumsy flier, however, and cannot use its teeth in the air.
HABITAT / SOCIETY
A manticore is a solitary creature that lives in remote and rugged areas, such as mountains, hills, or deserts. It claims a large territory as its own, and defends it fiercely from intruders. A manticore rarely associates with other manticores, except during mating season. A female manticore gives birth to one or two cubs after a gestation period of six months. The cubs are born with fur and spikes, but their wings are not fully developed until they are one year old. The mother manticore teaches her cubs how to hunt and survive until they are ready to leave and find their own territories.
Manticores are found in any climate but prefer warm lands to cool ones. This reflects the wide climate range of their favorite food, humans. A manticore’s territory may cover 20 or more square miles and includes at least one human settlement. Such territories usually overlap with those of other manticores and other man-eating predators like dragons.
Manticores mate for life. The male remains with the female during gestation and hunts for her.
ECOLOGY
A manticore is an apex predator that feeds on any creature it can catch and kill. It prefers large and meaty prey, such as deer, horses, or humans, but it will also eat smaller animals, such as rabbits, birds, or rodents. A manticore can consume up to 30 pounds of meat per day. A manticore has few natural enemies, except for dragons, griffons, or other powerful creatures that may compete with it for food or territory. A manticore’s body parts are valued by some adventurers and collectors, who may seek to harvest its fur, spikes, teeth, claws, or wings for various purposes.
Manticores collect their victims’ valuables for a variety of reasons, including curiosity, emulation of other monsters who collect treasure, the man-scent on the things, or because they know humans value the things and therefore might come looking for them. Their lack of real hands prevents most manticores from using what magical items fall into their possession. However, manticores that have allied with evil humans may possess magical items designed specifically for their use. Examples include magical collars or bracelets that are, in effect, oversized magical rings.
Manticores are wide-ranging carnivores that have successfully survived in every region inhabited by humans, whether in the wilderness or underground. They are nightmarish opponents but invaluable allies if conditions are right.
A manticore’s pelt is a mark of the most powerful hunters and warriors. An intact, cured manticore hide complete with wings is worth 10,000 gp.