There are already a couple historical threads about this subject. It seems to be quite a confusing, misunderstood, and an important rules question. Can you tell me, and why, what the standard and full-round melee attacks are of the following monsters?
Pukwudgie:
Melee 2 claws +14 (1d4+2 plus poison)
Rakshasa, Maharaja:
Melee +3 falchion +31/+26/+21/+16 (2d4+15/15–20), 4 bites +23 (1d6+4)
Rakshasa, Dandasuka:
Melee bite +8 (1d6+1 plus bleed), 2 claws +8 (1d4+1)
Looking at page 182 of the Pathfinder RPG Core Rulebook (emphasis mine)
Attacks made with natural weapons, such as claws and bites, are melee attacks that can be made against any creature within your reach (usually 5 feet). These attacks are made using your full attack bonus and deal an amount of damage that depends on their type (plus your Strength modifier, as normal). You do not receive additional natural attacks for a high base attack bonus. Instead, you receive additional attack rolls for multiple limb and body parts capable of making the attack (as noted by the race or ability that grants the attacks). If you possess only one natural attack (such as a bite—two claw attacks do not qualify), you add 1–1/2 times your Strength bonus on damage rolls made with that attack.
Some natural attacks are denoted as secondary natural attacks, such as tails and wings. Attacks with secondary natural attacks are made using your base attack bonus minus 5. These attacks deal an amount of damage depending on their type, but you only add half your Strength modifier on damage rolls.
You can make attacks with natural weapons in combination with attacks made with a melee weapon and unarmed strikes, so long as a different limb is used for each attack. For example, you cannot make a claw attack and also use that hand to make attacks with a longsword. When you make additional attacks in this way, all of your natural attacks are treated as secondary natural attacks, using your base attack bonus minus 5 and adding only 1/2 of your Strength modifier on damage rolls. Feats such as Two-Weapon Fighting and Multiattack can reduce these penalties.
So for full round,
Pukwudgie:
2 attacks
Rakshasa, Maharaja:
5 attacks; One with the Falchion and four with the bites at -5 and half strength (usually calculated in the stats)
Rakshasa, Dandasuka:
3 attacks; One bite and two claws.
Standard, you're just able to make one attack.
When you say one attack for the standard action, taking the Pukwudgie for example, would they get one claw attack and damage roll, or two?
I'm pointing out that using the bolded text above, each claw would be from a different appendage.
Also, the rules seem to make a big deal of:
You do not receive additional natural attacks for a high base attack bonus. Instead, you receive additional attack rolls for multiple limb and body parts capable of making the attack (as noted by the race or ability that grants the attacks).
I'd say one attack for a standard action, even if it's something like 2 claws. You get one claw attack.
When doing a full attack with natural attacks, all primary NA are done at your full bab+strength(unless the creature uses dex)+anything else that may apply (feats, items or any buffs). Secondary NA are done the same but at a -5 penalty to hit. But both claws and bites are primary so it makes no difference in your examples.
When you use a manufactured weapon along with natural attacks in a full attack, the natural attacks take a -5 penalty to hit, regardless if they are primary or secondary.
A single natural attack (a standard action), is no different than a single attack with a manufactured weapon.
Pukwudgie - A full attack would give you 2 attacks, 1 with each claw, with a +14 to hit. If you hit, you do 1d4+2 plus poison on each claw that hit.
Maharaja - A full attack would give you 8 attacks, 4 with the falchion and 4 bites with the listed bonuses to hit and damage.
Dandasuka - A full attack would give you 3 attacks, 2 claws and 1 bite, each with a +8 to hit and dealing the listed damage.
When you say one attack for the standard action, taking the Pukwudgie for example, would they get one claw attack and damage roll, or two?
I'm pointing out that using the bolded text above, each claw would be from a different appendage.
Also, the rules seem to make a big deal of:
You do not receive additional natural attacks for a high base attack bonus. Instead, you receive additional attack rolls for multiple limb and body parts capable of making the attack (as noted by the race or ability that grants the attacks).
If it helps, think of 2 claws as using two weapon fighting, except both claws are done at full bab. A standard action only allows you to make a single attack with 1 weapon.
So then take an Adult Green Dragon, which has a combination of primary and secondary attacks. What would a standard and full-round attack look like?
Adult Green Dragon:
Melee bite +21 (2d8+12/19–20), 2 claws +21 (2d6+8/19–20), 2 wings +16 (1d8+4), tail slap +16 (2d6+12)
|
A standard attack is just one attack. No matter how many appendages you have, a standard attack is just one attack. (Unless the monster text explicitly says otherwise, of course.)
That whole line (weapon +15/+10/+5, some claws +10), that's a full attack. When you make a standard attack, it's generally best to take the very first attack from the whole line (weapon +15); it's been sorted for your convenience.
So then take an Adult Green Dragon, which has a combination of primary and secondary attacks. What would a standard and full-round attack look like?
Adult Green Dragon:
Melee bite +21 (2d8+12/19–20), 2 claws +21 (2d6+8/19–20), 2 wings +16 (1d8+4), tail slap +16 (2d6+12)
As it was already mentioned before, it doesn't matter who or what you are, a standard attack is just 1 attack.
The dragon mentioned would get 6 attacks in a full attack at the listed bonuses and damage.
In the ghoul's stat block they have a bite and two claws - as opposed to most other monsters that have either a bite or two claws, or a bite [comma] two claws.
Does this mean that a ghoul gets three attacks every round?
In the ghoul's stat block they have a bite and two claws - as opposed to most other monsters that have either a bite or two claws, or a bite [comma] two claws.
Does this mean that a ghoul gets three attacks every round?
If the ghoul uses a full attack action, yes.