Barracuda

Barracuda are predatory fish found in tropical and subtropical oceans worldwide, where they often inhabit coral reefs, rocky areas and nearshore environments. They swim near the top of the water, favouring coral reefs and sea grasses. Some species venture into open ocean waters, where they may patrol around structures like floating debris or patches of seaweed.

Barracuda

Species	fish (ray-finned)
No. Appearing	4–10
Behaviour	parasocial
Range	coral reef
Size	4 to 6 ft. long
Weight	50 to 85 lbs.
Intelligence	0
Armour Class	6
Hit Dice	1 to 3
Action Points	6
Max. Stride	20
THAC0	19 to 20
Hp/Die	d4 or d6
Attack Forms	1: jaws
Damage	jaws (2–8)
Special Attacks	initiative

They are taken as game fish but have little commercial value. For West Africans, the fish is a delicacy that's smoked for use in soups and sauces.

The fish has a fearsome appearance and a ferocious attack; though rarely of danger to swimmers, barracuda will attack if approached too closely or touched (which may occur unintentionally). They strike with a deadly speed, gaining +4 initiative on its first attack, where it may cover a distance up to 18 hexes per round.

When hunting, Barracuda gather and circle prey, typically at a distance of 30 ft. Each will strike at the prey in turn, one per round, at lightning speed. However, if none strike at the first pass, the circle will disperse, ending the danger. If blood is drawn, however (wounding or reducing a victim to zero or less hit points), the barracuda will continue to attack until the prey is killed.

See Bestiary