What do you get when you magically cross a cat with a cactus? A catctus! This new monster for Dungeons & Dragons is a large, desert dwelling wildcat with prickly cactus-like spines.
Catctus
Large Monstrosity, Unaligned
Armor Class 14 (natural armor)
Hit Points 26 (4d10 + 4)
Speed 50 ft.
| STG | DEX | CON | INT | WIS | CHA |
| 17 (+3) | 15 (+2) | 14 (+2) | 6 (-2) | 12 (+1) | 8 (-1) |
Skills Perception +3, Stealth +6
Senses Darkvision 60 ft., Passive Perception 13
Languages none
Challenge 2 (450 XP) Proficiency Bonus +2
Keen Senses. The catctus has advantage on Wisdom (Perception) checks that rely on sight, hearing, or smell.
Natural Camouflage. The catctus has advantage on Dexterity (Stealth) checks made to hide in desert terrain.
Pounce. If the catctus moves at least 20 feet straight toward a creature and then hits it with a claw attack on the same turn, that target must succeed on a DC 13 Strength saving throw or be knocked prone. If the target is prone, the catctus can make one bite attack against it as a bonus action.
Sharp Spines. The catctus is covered in sharp cactus-like spines that deal 1d4 piercing damage to anyone who touches it without gauntlets or similar hand protection.
Actions
Multiattack. The catctus makes two attacks: one with its claws and one with its bite or launch spines.
Bite. Melee Weapon Attack: +7 to hit, reach 5 ft, 1 target. Hit: 9 (1d8 + 5) piercing damage.
Claws. Melee Weapon Attack: +7 to hit, reach 5 ft., 1 target. Hit: 12 (2d6 + 5) slashing damage.
Launch Spines. Ranged Weapon Attack: +7 to hit, range 50/100 ft., one target. Hit: 9 (1d8 + 5) piercing damage
Background
The catctus is a lion sized wildcat that lives in desert regions. A larger cousin of the prickly puss, its green and brown fur is covered with cactus-like spines that serve as a defense and natural camouflage while hunting desert wildlife.
Although scholars believe catcti are the result of a magic experiment, the large cats have thrived and spread across many arid deserts.
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One response to “Catctus – new Dungeons and Dragons monster”
[…] find Thistledown’s camp, you discover her notes detailing an unusual creature she has named the Catctus. The camp has been torn apart, and there is no sign of the botanist. Tracks in the sand lead to a […]