How do i know if a monster has multiple attacks?

[Qayinisorouse]

Hello,

as a DM, at first i assumed that if a monster had two (or more) attacks ill see:
Melee bite +4/+4 (or something similar)

but then i came across this:
http://www.d20pfsrd.com/bestiary/monster-listings/animals/octopus/summoned- creature-octopus

it seems as if there are only two attacks:
bite +5
tentecles +3

however, the monster had the "Multiattack" feat, which requires a minimum of 3 attacks.

What does that mean? how do i know how many attacks do my monsters have?

thank you.

[Vaellen]

It should say 8 Tentacles. Maybe they just assume everyone knows how many tentacles an octopus has.

[Saldiven]

I think that's just an error on the author's part, or they decided to give multi-attack even without the pre-requisites.

Either it should have 8 tentacle attacks, or the octopus is supposed to make a single attack with all it's tentacles. No telling what the author intended.

[dragonhunterq]

they didn't make the mistake with the giant octopus on the same page

I believe that bonus feats for monsters don't need to meet pre-reqs.

They definitely can apply to creatures that don't qualify for any feats.

I am confident that the intent is 1 bite and 1 tentacle attack.

[Letric]

Qayinisorouse wrote:

Hello,

as a DM, at first i assumed that if a monster had two (or more) attacks ill see:
Melee bite +4/+4 (or something similar)

but then i came across this:
http://www.d20pfsrd.com/bestiary/monster-listings/animals/octopus/summoned- creature-octopus

it seems as if there are only two attacks:
bite +5
tentecles +3

however, the monster had the "Multiattack" feat, which requires a minimum of 3 attacks.

What does that mean? how do i know how many attacks do my monsters have?

thank you.

It has a B next to it.

Feats: The creature's feats are listed here. A bonus feat is indicated with a superscript “B.”

Bonus feat do not require prerequisites. Creatures just get it because of its form, type, whatever. Their benefits still apply.

[Qayinisorouse]

oh i see..
understood!
so a monster with multiple attacks will use the same +/+ as PCs do?

[j b 200]

natural attacks do not get iterative attacks, i.e. at 6 BAB a wolf does not get +6/+1 for Bite. the only time a monster will get multiple attacks with an attack is if it is a manufactured weapon or it has multiple appendages with the same natural attack (see 8 tentacles or 2 claws).

[Azothath]

sometimes creatures may have more limbs than attacks. The attacks are limited as the critter has a challenge rating(CR) and giving it a bite and 8 tentacle attacks would up the CR beyond what is appropriate for a wimpy critter (CR of 1 or less). Really just a game balance issue.

As mentioned above, bonus feats are given out now and then when deemed appropriate. You will also see racial modifiers to skills that represent when a critter is really good at something. Just part of modelling that critter. It's also best to remember that CRs are a rough number, it's not an exact science.