I'm building a manticore skeleton. The skeleton entry says the creature retains all natural attacks except those that can't work without flesh. Also says under special qualities that the creature retains any extraordinary special qualities that improve ranged or melee attacks. My question is whether the manticore keeps its Spikes (Ex) special ability. Seems like it probably would, but wanted to see what you guys think.
Bestiary pages 199 (manticore) and 250 (skeleton) if you decide to flip to it.
I'm building a manticore skeleton. The skeleton entry says the creature retains all natural attacks except those that can't work without flesh. Also says under special qualities that the creature retains any extraordinary special qualities that improve ranged or melee attacks. My question is whether the manticore keeps its Spikes (Ex) special ability. Seems like it probably would, but wanted to see what you guys think.
Bestiary pages 199 (manticore) and 250 (skeleton) if you decide to flip to it.
It depends on whether you define the spikes as bones or quills. If they are bones, then it keeps them. There's no natural animal analogue for that though.
If, on the other hand, they are quills, then no, it doesn't retain them. Why? Quills are fancy hairs (check out a porcupine, if you read up about them, you'll find their quills are actually specialized hairs). Since you need skin to grow hairs, they lose those spikes if they are quills.
Unfortunately, the fluff doesn't define it one way or the other. So... it's up to you honestly. Define them as bones it magically regrows rapidly and they keep them. Define them as quills and they lose them when they become a skeleton.
Ok. If it boils down to a question of anatomy then I'd probably lean towards not keeping the attack for the same reasons you named. And from a rules standpoint it's just not very specific one way or the other.
I'm probably going to drop it honestly. I can't justify it regenerating anything without having flesh. Thanks for the insight mdt =)