| Calybos1 |
So, when the Bestiary lists a monster with multiple attacks...
Example: Young Black Dragon
Melee bite +13 (1d8+6), 2 claws +12 (1d6+4), 2 wings +7 (1d4+2)
Since they're separated by commas, I assume the dragon can make ALL of these attacks in a single round instead of having to choose (which would be indicated by "OR"). And for a full-attack action, that's fine.
But what happens if the dragon also moves during the fight? Then a full-attack sequence isn't an option, so the dragon gets... what, exactly? Just the primary attacks (claws and bite)? The bite only?
And more importantly, where is this spelled out?
| Are |
If a creature uses a full-attack action, then it can attack with all of the attacks listed in the statblock (unless some of them are separated by "or").
If a creature uses a standard action to attack, then it can only attack with a single attack. So the dragon would have to choose to attack with its bite, or with one claw, or with one wing.
This is spelled out in the Combat Chapter of the Core Rulebook: "If you get more than one attack per round because your base attack bonus is high enough (see Base Attack Bonus in Classes), because you fight with two weapons or a double weapon, or for some special reason, you must use a full-round action to get your additional attacks."
Having multiple natural attacks qualifies as "or for some special reason" in the above quote.
Edit: I feel that this could have also been made clear in the "Introduction" section of the Bestiary, but unfortunately it wasn't.
Nefreet
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It gets whatever attack it wants. This will most likely be a bite, but sometimes as a GM for flavor I'll have it do something else, like swipe its tail at whoever is behind it.
You are correct on the full attack action, though. It would be able to perform all of those attacks so long as it did not move more than a five foot step.