Difference between revisions of "Cheetah"
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{{Bestiarychart | {{Bestiarychart | ||
| name = Cheetah | | name = Cheetah | ||
| − | | species = feline | + | | species = [[Feline|feline]] |
| noapp = 5–15 | | noapp = 5–15 | ||
| behaviour = social (pride) | | behaviour = social (pride) | ||
| Line 11: | Line 11: | ||
| HD = 4 | | HD = 4 | ||
| AP = 6 | | AP = 6 | ||
| + | | stride = 41 | ||
| THAC0 = 18 | | THAC0 = 18 | ||
| hpdie = d6 | | hpdie = d6 | ||
| attack = '''2''': [[Claw (attack)|dewclaw]], [[Fangs (attack)|fangs]] | | attack = '''2''': [[Claw (attack)|dewclaw]], [[Fangs (attack)|fangs]] | ||
| − | | dmg = 1–4 | + | | dmg = dewclaw (1–4); fangs (3–8) |
| − | | special = burst of speed, dewclaw | + | | special = burst of [[Speed|speed]] & strike, dewclaw |
}} | }} | ||
| + | '''Cheetahs''' are slender-bodied, long-limbed great cats, distinguished by their spotted coats, small rounded heads and lengthy, banded tails. Built for speed and agility, they are among the fastest creatures in existence, capable of outrunning nearly any opponent over short distances. They are primarily diurnal hunters, thriving in a range of natural habitats spanning Africa, Arabia, Persia and the Indian subcontinent, though they are most numerous on the savannas and veldts of eastern and southern Africa. | ||
| + | [[File:Cheetah.jpg|left|350px|thumb]] | ||
| + | __TOC__ | ||
| + | As carnivores, cheetahs primarily hunt antelope and other small horned animals, typically ranging between 51 and 123 lbs. in weight. However, they have been known to stalk and attack small humanoids, including [[Elf Race & Physiology|elves]], particularly in regions where game is scarce. Although their preferred prey consists of mid-sized ungulates, a cheetah is capable of taking down much larger creatures — up to 290 pounds — if necessary. | ||
| − | + | Unlike many other great cats, cheetahs exhibit a degree of sociability and can even be tamed, a trait that has made them prized hunting companions throughout South Asia. However, the process of domestication diminishes their aggression, making them unsuitable as guard animals. Despite their trainability, they are still wild at heart and those raised in captivity retain their keen instincts and speed. | |
| − | + | == Hunting == | |
| + | Cheetahs rarely engage in direct combat, preferring to flee from threats rather than stand and fight. They will only defend themselves if cornered. In hunting, they rely on stealth and explosive speed, stalking their prey at a low crouch, moving with deliberate precision until they are within 40 hexes (200 feet) — a range that exceeds the perceptive ability of most creatures (see [[Stealth (sage ability)|stealth]]). | ||
| − | + | At this point, the cheetah launches into a blistering sprint, reaching 70 mph in under two action points (3.2 seconds). At its peak speed of 102 feet per second, it will close the distance to its prey in under a round, leaving its target virtually no time to react. The element of surprise is overwhelming — prey are caught off guard on a 5 in 6 chance. Even with a successful [[Initiative|initiative]] roll, a target can only move one action point's worth of distance before the cheetah strikes — for most creatures, this is too little time to effectively evade or counterattack. | |
| − | + | If the target attempts to flee, the cheetah's first strike is made with its dewclaw, a specialised, non-retractable claw designed for tripping prey at high speed. A successful hit immediately topples the victim — there is no saving throw due to the sheer force and precision of the attack. Once the prey is dumped to the ground, the cheetah delivers its second strike, a powerful bite aimed at the neck or vital organs. If this bite lands, the momentum of the sprint enhances the impact, dealing double damage to the fallen target. | |
| − | + | Cheetahs do not [[Raking|rake]] as other large cats do. | |
See [[Bestiary]] | See [[Bestiary]] | ||
| − | [[Category: | + | [[Category: Reviewed]] |
Latest revision as of 15:52, 9 March 2025
| Species | feline |
| No. Appearing | 5–15 |
| Behaviour | social (pride) |
| Range | desert, savanna, steppe, veldt |
| Size | 4 ft. long |
| Weight | 110 lbs. |
| Intelligence | 3 |
| Armour Class | 6 |
| Hit Dice | 4 |
| Action Points | 6 |
| Max. Stride | 41 |
| THAC0 | 18 |
| Hp/Die | d6 |
| Attack Forms | 2: dewclaw, fangs |
| Damage | dewclaw (1–4); fangs (3–8) |
| Special Attacks | burst of speed & strike, dewclaw |
Cheetahs are slender-bodied, long-limbed great cats, distinguished by their spotted coats, small rounded heads and lengthy, banded tails. Built for speed and agility, they are among the fastest creatures in existence, capable of outrunning nearly any opponent over short distances. They are primarily diurnal hunters, thriving in a range of natural habitats spanning Africa, Arabia, Persia and the Indian subcontinent, though they are most numerous on the savannas and veldts of eastern and southern Africa.
Contents
As carnivores, cheetahs primarily hunt antelope and other small horned animals, typically ranging between 51 and 123 lbs. in weight. However, they have been known to stalk and attack small humanoids, including elves, particularly in regions where game is scarce. Although their preferred prey consists of mid-sized ungulates, a cheetah is capable of taking down much larger creatures — up to 290 pounds — if necessary.
Unlike many other great cats, cheetahs exhibit a degree of sociability and can even be tamed, a trait that has made them prized hunting companions throughout South Asia. However, the process of domestication diminishes their aggression, making them unsuitable as guard animals. Despite their trainability, they are still wild at heart and those raised in captivity retain their keen instincts and speed.
Hunting
Cheetahs rarely engage in direct combat, preferring to flee from threats rather than stand and fight. They will only defend themselves if cornered. In hunting, they rely on stealth and explosive speed, stalking their prey at a low crouch, moving with deliberate precision until they are within 40 hexes (200 feet) — a range that exceeds the perceptive ability of most creatures (see stealth).
At this point, the cheetah launches into a blistering sprint, reaching 70 mph in under two action points (3.2 seconds). At its peak speed of 102 feet per second, it will close the distance to its prey in under a round, leaving its target virtually no time to react. The element of surprise is overwhelming — prey are caught off guard on a 5 in 6 chance. Even with a successful initiative roll, a target can only move one action point's worth of distance before the cheetah strikes — for most creatures, this is too little time to effectively evade or counterattack.
If the target attempts to flee, the cheetah's first strike is made with its dewclaw, a specialised, non-retractable claw designed for tripping prey at high speed. A successful hit immediately topples the victim — there is no saving throw due to the sheer force and precision of the attack. Once the prey is dumped to the ground, the cheetah delivers its second strike, a powerful bite aimed at the neck or vital organs. If this bite lands, the momentum of the sprint enhances the impact, dealing double damage to the fallen target.
Cheetahs do not rake as other large cats do.
See Bestiary
