Small Monstrous Crabs

[roll4initiative]

So, being new to 3.5 I had a problem running the Monstrous crabs under Parrot Island. Since they have 2 claws each do I roll 2 attack dice for them? That's what I did and they pretty much tore up the adventurers in about 3 rounds!

[Pop'N'Fresh]

How familiar are you with the full attack rules? Because even if the crabs have 2 claw attacks listed in their stat block, they will only be able to move 5 feet and get to use them both.

I don't have my issue yet, but generally, the stat block with either have something like:

Full Attack: 2 claws +3 melee (1d6+3)

OR

Melee: claw +3 (1d6+3) and
claw +3 (1d6+3)

In both cases the crab would get multiple claw attacks. If you can't see either of these listed for the creature, chances are it only uses one claw to attack. Hope that helps.

[Sebastian]

What P-n-F said. Keep in mind that you basically have to choose between moving and making a full attack. So, if the crabs are moving more than 5' in a round, they can't make more than one attack.

[roll4initiative]

Pop'N'Fresh wrote:

How familiar are you with the full attack rules? Because even if the crabs have 2 claw attacks listed in their stat block, they will only be able to move 5 feet and get to use them both.

I don't have my issue yet, but generally, the stat block with either have something like:

Full Attack: 2 claws +3 melee (1d6+3)

OR

Melee: claw +3 (1d6+3) and
claw +3 (1d6+3)

In both cases the crab would get multiple claw attacks. If you can't see either of these listed for the creature, chances are it only uses one claw to attack. Hope that helps.

It just says "Melee: 2 claws +1 (1d4)", which I take to mean that both claws do a total of d4 damage and it's not a full attack. They do have improved grab and extra damage (2d4) as well.

[TPK Jay]

Woops, I completely mis-interpreted the thread title... I thought it was about the consequences of a night of drunken wenching in Sasserine. Sigh. When will that thread come along?

[Joseph Jolly]

roll4initiative wrote:

It just says "Melee: 2 claws +1 (1d4)", which I take to mean that both claws do a total of d4 damage and it's not a full attack. They do have improved grab and extra damage (2d4) as well.

Here's something else to take into account: according to the rules for Improved Grab in the Monster Manual, unless specifically stated otherwise, a creature can only use Improve Grab against a creature one size category smaller than itself, or smaller. I asked this of James Jacobs in another thread on STAP, specifically regarding the crabs (small) and the rhagodessa (medium), and he said he inteneded for the rhagodessa to be able to IG medium opponents, but to just eliminate the ability for the crabs (unless one of your PC's is a pixie).

[Sean Mahoney]

They get the two attacks as stated above only if qualified to use a full attack option (nothing other than a 5 ft step for actions).

This is another encounter that typifies what we are seeing in STAP... PC's have to think in order to succeed. PC's who favor only the charge in and fight tactics are going to have a VERY hard time.

Actually the more I look at the encounters so far (I know, just one adventure, but still...) the more I am thinking a swashbuckler might be a good idea if made with mobility in mind... I can also see an archer being a very good option as well.

Sean Mahoney