Mastivores
The deadliest bug bite
The Mastivore is a creature of nightmares, with its gruesome appearance and deadly hunting skills. Its body is a sickening combination of bright red and white, a jarring contrast that serves as a warning to those who see it. Its slender legs end in claws allowing it to move gracefully in rocky terrain, or even climb with prey in its raptorial forearms.
But the true horror of this monster's nature lies in its forearms, which are shaped like gaping mouths filled with crushing molars. These forearms are used not only to grasp and hold onto its prey, but also to deliver a vicious bite that can tear through flesh and grind through bone with ease. It uses these raptorial forearms to rip its prey apart, which it then can feed upon with its insect-like mandibles.
Though it shares a passing resemblance to the harmless praying mantis, know this aberration shares no relation. Mastivores hold nothing sacred, and prayers will do you no good.
Inspiration behind the Monster
More obvious than some of my inspirations, the Mantid ("Praying Mantis") has always been a favorite creature of mine-- truly one of the most alien of Earth's creatures.
For example, did you know they have a THIRD EYE on top of their head? Or that they're one of the few insects able to turn their head because they have a neck? Or that they're such masters of camouflage that they can disguise themselves as wasps, flowers, moths, and more?
They're truly amazing creatures, so if you ever see one, make sure it's in a safe place but otherwise leave it alone! They're more than capable of defending themselves against most threats... including you!
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Mastivore
Large aberration, chaotic evil
- Armor Class 19 (natural armor)
- Hit Points 153 (18d10 + 54)
- Speed 50 ft., climb 50 ft.
STR DEX CON INT WIS CHA 20 (+5) 19 (+4) 16 (+3) 8 (-1) 14 (+2) 14 (+2)
- Skills Intimidation +6, Perception +6, Athletics +9
- Condition Immunities frightened
- Senses darkvision 120 ft., passive Perception 16
- Languages telepathy 120 ft.
- Challenge 12 (8,400 XP) Proficiency Bonus +4
Leaping Grab. The mastivore can use its movement to leap up to 40 feet vertically and 25 feet horizontally. It can make up to two of its Raptorial Molars attacks during this jump (as part of its multiattack during the turn). The Mastivore does not expend additional movement from grappling creatures of Size medium or smaller.
Sudden Strike. On the first round of combat, the mastivore has advantage on attacks against creatures that haven't taken a turn yet.
Actions
Multiattack. The Mastivore makes two Raptorial Molars attacks and one Mandibles attack.
Raptorial Molars. Melee Weapon Attack: +9 to hit, reach 15 ft., one target. Hit: 32 (6d8 + 5) bludgeoning, and the creature is grappled. This forearm cannot be used against another target while the grapple remains. If both forearms are grappling the same target, it is considered restrained.
Mandibles. Melee Weapon Attack: +9 to hit, reach 10 ft. Hit: 19 (4d6 + 5) piercing damage.
Crush & Chew. Make a single Raptorial Molars attack against a Restrained creature. If it hits, armor worn by the creature is broken, & the Mastivore may attack it with its Mandibles.
While broken in this way, the creature's armor class is not benefited from wearing it (though they may still use any other magical effects from it). This armor remains broken until it is repaired, either through use of tools (DC equal to the Armor Class of the armor), or through spending 1 minute casting Mending on it repeatedly.
How the Mastivore Hunts
(D&D 5e Version)
The Mastivore, while relatively stealthy for something so large, is not a typical ambush hunter. It does not need to rely on trickery to snag its prey, and its bright coloring is a clue to that.
Instead, it uses its immense agility to perform a Leaping Grab, capturing their prey mid-air with both Raptorial Molars before allowing the momentum of its jump to carry both of them away from that creature's allies.
If the creature in its arms has particularly tough armor (medium or higher), it'll use its Crush & Chew ability to rend the armor, making it useless. Otherwise, it continues using its multiattack to kill (& consume) its prey, using its movement each turn to carry it further away from interlopers.
In mountainous areas or forests with trees large enough to support a large creature, it will use its leap & climb speed to further isolate itself. Rarely, a Mastivore may even hunt in cities, in which case tall towers serve this purpose.
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How the Mastivore Hunts
(Pathfinder 2nd Edition Version)
The Mastivore, while relatively stealthy for something so large, is not a typical ambush hunter. It does not need to rely on trickery to snag its prey, and its bright coloring is a clue to that.
Instead, it uses its immense agility to perform a Leaping Grab, capturing their prey mid-air with a Raptorial Molar before allowing the momentum of its jump to carry both of them away from that creature's allies. If it has actions remaining, it Strides away with its prey in tow.
On its next turn, if the creature in its arms has particularly tough armor, it'll use its Crush & Chew ability to break the armor. With the armor broken, multi-attack penalties are not as punishing. As such, it frenzies-- doing 2 or 3 Strikes a turn, only using an Action to Stride or two to Leap when it could further isolate itself from those who would take away its meal. (Note: Leaping Grab does not specify that you have to target a new creature-- you could attack before leaping away further)
In mountainous areas or forests with trees large enough to support a large creature, it will use its leap & climb speed to further isolate itself. Rarely, a Mastivore may even hunt in cities, in which case tall towers serve this purpose.
Mastivore CREATURE 12
Raptorial Molar (Versatile S, Grapple, Reach 15 feet)3d10+14 bludgeoning mandibles (Reach 10 feet)
2d12+16 piercing
The mastivore Leaps up to 40 feet vertically and 20 feet horizontally. At any point during the jump, it can make a Raptorial Molar Strike. If it hits, it automatically Grabs the target, bringing the creature along until the end of the jump. The mastivore makes a Raptorial Molars Strike against a creature it has grabbed. If that Strike hits and the creature is wearing armor with Hardness 12 or lower, the armor is broken. This Strike doesn't further damage armor that's already broken.