New animal: Lynx

[thatdarncat]

The druid in my campaign needed a 2HD animal, and a cat was suggested. Since there are no 2HD cats in the MM I created one based off of the Cat.

Lynx
Small Animal
Hit Dice: 2d8 (8 hp)
Initiative: +1 (Dex)
Speed: 30 ft.
AC: 12 (+1 Size, +1 Dex)
Attacks: 2 Claws +3, bite -2
Damage: Claw 1d3, bite 1d4
Face/Reach: 5 ft. by 5 ft./5ft
Special Attacks: -
Special Qualities: -
Saves: Fort +3, Ref +4, Will +1
Abilities: Str 7, Dex 13, Con 10,
Int 2, Wis 12, Cha 7
Skills: Balance +9, Climb +4, Hide +14*,
Listen +4, Move Silently +8, Spot +4
Feats: Weapon Finesse (claw, bite)
Climate/Terrain: Any land
Organization: Solitary
Challenge Rating: 1
Treasure: None
Alignment: Always neutral
Advancement: -

Cats receive a +4 racial bonus to Hide and Move Silenty checks and a +8 racial bonus to Balance checks. They use their Dexterity modifier for Climb checks. * In areas of tall grass or heavy undergrowth, the Hide bonus rises to +8

 

[Frog Slime]

Well, they should take a penalty to damage for their below-average strength.

I'd also, and this is just a suggestion, give them the Scent special quality.

 

[Krishnath]

From someone who know's quite a lot about biology, take this advice about the lynx:

AC: give it +1 natural armor
Speed: Increase to 40' they're faster than most humans.
Damage: Increase both one die type.
Special Attacks: Give it the Pounce special ability (detailed in the MM)
Special Qualities: Scent.
Abilities: Increase str and con to 12
Feats: change to Alertness.

Other than that, you're set to go.

 

[thatdarncat]

Well, as much as I like your ideas, this is for a first level druid.

I might consider making it an immature lynx, but I don't want something too powerful, otherwise it will become unbalancing.

I might consider giving it the Pounce and Scent abilities you suggested, but other than that, I am pretty happy with giving it to one of my PCs. Once I've added in the penalties to damage, I might even increase the damage die by one size.

The only other possibility is increasing it's hearing, but again I don't want to make it too powerful.

Would you say that this creature, as is, is a good CR1?

 

[Krishnath]

Then I suggest you give the poor bastard a wolf companion in place of the lynx.

 

[thatdarncat]

I much prefer cats though

 

[karyant]

AC: give it +1 natural armor

I believe that's a good ideia.

Speed: Increase to 40' they're faster than most humans.

Correct, cats usually are fast.

Damage: Increase both one die type.

Nope, Thatdarncat use standard values to claw and bite damage. Also, the abilities scores of the constitution and strengh are good for me.

Special Qualities: Scent.

Exactly, all cats has this ability.

This ability allow the creature to detect aprouching enemies or preys by sense of smell.

 

[Krishnath]

karyant:Ah, but you forgot to take into acount, the sharpness of the Lynx claws, this is a creature that is very apt a climbing, and dealing damage. There is a reason that even bears tend to awoid confrontation with large cats, they have very painful claws.

 

[Doc_Souark]

I like the Linx Cat but I agree with Krishnath on the increases, What should it be for a Dire(Giant) Linx ?

 

[psychognome]

How's about a werelynx?