Question about a Creature ability in Spore War

[Mark Stratton]

I have a question about a creature's ability in this AP.

Spoiler:

The Eshmok (Wasp Demon) has an ability, Eshmok Infection. However, the creature has no ability that seems to allow it to actually infect another creature. Most creatures that can do this have it as part of an attack, but I don't see it under its melee attack. I presume its stinger attack should have something like "plus Eshmok Infection" or something like that, but it doesn't. And its Infesting Exhalation ability doesn't say the those subjected to it need to ave against the Eshmok Infection. And, Eshmok Infection is clearly an affliction as it shows the DC and various stage. Any ideas?

[James Jacobs]

The answer:

Spoiler:

When an eshmok is in wasp form, they gain a tendril melee strike that does damage and can cause eshmok infection; the tendril strike is detailed under their Change Shape ability.

[Mark Stratton]

OMG. I completely missed that. Thanks, James!

[Scarablob]

This looks odds to me? Either I'm missing something about that monster or there is some kind of mistake in it's description.

Spoiler:

The Eshmok can switch between a wasp form, and a fungus form. In fungus form, it lose it's fly speed (logical), and it's stinger attack (it's only attack actually). In wasp form, it gain a tendril strike that can infect people (and presumably keep both it's stinger attack and fly speed). I don't see any benefit the fungus form grant? It remove one of it's fly speed and it's only possible attack, and that's it.

The tendril attack gained by it's wasp form meanwhile seems far more suited to it's fungus form, both simply because it's a "tendril" (which seems more in line with how a fungus would attack), and because the affliction it cause inflict confusion, which is in line with the description of the creature, saying that the creature emit "rage inducing spore", which seems obviously themed as a fungal ability.

So it seems to me that there's a mistake in this ability, and that it's actually meant to say "in fungus form, it lose it's fly speed and stinger attack, but gain the tendril attack" (with the wasp form corresponding to the "baseline" stat block of the creature).

[James Jacobs]

Yeah there's a typo now that I look at it. Sorry about the confusion.

Spoiler:

The Change Shape ability's last sentence should say: "In fungus form, they gain a tendril melee Strike..."