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Reviewing, Revising, and Finalizing Prehistoric Animals and Dinosaur Ecology
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<blockquote data-quote="Cleon" data-source="post: 4985394" data-attributes="member: 57383"><p><strong>Building a Better Stegosaurus</strong></p><p></p><p><span style="font-size: 10px"><strong><span style="font-size: 18px"><span style="font-family: 'Arial'">Stegosaurs</span></span><span style="font-family: 'Arial'"></span></strong></span></p><p><span style="font-size: 10px"><strong><span style="font-family: 'Arial'">Stegosaurs</span></strong><span style="font-family: 'Arial'"> <strong>lived</strong> <strong>from</strong> <strong>the</strong> <strong>Mid</strong> <strong>Jurassic</strong> <strong>to</strong> <strong>Early</strong> <strong>Cretaceous</strong> <strong>(175-100</strong> <strong>MYA)</strong></span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: 10px"><span style="font-family: 'Arial'"><strong></strong></span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: 10px"><span style="font-family: 'Arial'"><span style="font-size: 15px"><strong><em>Stegosaurus</em></strong></span></span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: 10px"><span style="font-family: 'Arial'"><strong>Late</strong> <strong>Jurassic</strong> <strong>(150-145</strong> <strong>MYA)</strong></span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: 10px"><span style="font-family: 'Arial'"><strong></strong>Huge Animal</span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: 10px"><span style="font-family: 'Arial'"><strong>Hit</strong> <strong>Dice:</strong> 13d8+78 (136 hp)</span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: 10px"><span style="font-family: 'Arial'"><strong>Initiative:</strong> +3</span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: 10px"><span style="font-family: 'Arial'"><strong>Speed:</strong> 20 ft. (4 squares)</span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: 10px"><span style="font-family: 'Arial'"><strong>Armor</strong> <strong>Class:</strong> 18 (–2 size, –1 Dex, +11 natural), touch 7, flat-footed 18</span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: 10px"><span style="font-family: 'Arial'"><strong>Base</strong> <strong>Attack/Grapple:</strong> +9/+25</span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: 10px"><span style="font-family: 'Arial'"><strong>Attack:</strong> Tail-spikes +16 melee (3d8+12/×3) or offensive armour +15 melee (2d6+8)</span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: 10px"><span style="font-family: 'Arial'"><strong>Full</strong> <strong>Attack:</strong> Tail-spikes +16 melee (3d8+12/×3) and offensive armour +10 melee (2d6+4)</span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: 10px"><span style="font-family: 'Arial'"><strong>Space/Reach:</strong> 15 ft./10 ft. (15 ft. with tail-spikes)</span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: 10px"><span style="font-family: 'Arial'"><strong>Special</strong> <strong>Attacks:</strong> Offensive armour 2d6+12, thagomizer</span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: 10px"><span style="font-family: 'Arial'"><strong>Special</strong> <strong>Qualities:</strong> Damage reduction 6/–, fortification, low-light vision, scent</span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: 10px"><span style="font-family: 'Arial'"><strong>Saves:</strong> Fort +14, Ref +7, Will +5</span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: 10px"><span style="font-family: 'Arial'"><strong>Abilities:</strong> Str 26, Dex 9, Con 23, Int 1, Wis 12, Cha 6</span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: 10px"><span style="font-family: 'Arial'"><strong>Skills:</strong> Listen +11, Spot +11</span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: 10px"><span style="font-family: 'Arial'"><strong>Feats:</strong> Alertness, Endurance, Improved Initiative, Power Attack, Weapon Focus (tail-spikes)</span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: 10px"><span style="font-family: 'Arial'"><strong>Environment:</strong> Temperate or warm plains and forests</span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: 10px"><span style="font-family: 'Arial'"><strong>Organization:</strong> Solitary, pair or herd (3-6)</span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: 10px"><span style="font-family: 'Arial'"><strong>Challenge</strong> <strong>Rating:</strong> 7</span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: 10px"><span style="font-family: 'Arial'"><strong>Treasure:</strong> None</span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: 10px"><span style="font-family: 'Arial'"><strong>Alignment:</strong> Always neutral</span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: 10px"><span style="font-family: 'Arial'"><strong>Advancement:</strong> 14–20 HD (Huge); 21–39 HD (Gargantuan)</span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: 10px"><span style="font-family: 'Arial'"><strong>Level</strong> <strong>Adjustment:</strong> —</span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: 10px"><span style="font-family: 'Arial'"></span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: 10px"><span style="font-family: 'Arial'">A <em>Stegosaurus</em> has a bulky body, a powerful tail tipped with 4 formidable spikes and small, narrow head with a tortoise-like beak. A double row of triangular plates runs the length of its back. The tail is thick and powerful, taking up almost half the animal's body length, so the dinosaur's huge hind legs are set near the middle of the animal. Its front legs are sturdy but much shorter than the hind legs, so its head is normally held low to the ground.</span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: 10px"><span style="font-family: 'Arial'"></span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: 10px"><span style="font-family: 'Arial'">These dinosaurs are solitary herbivores, usually only congregating to breed. They can graze on low vegetation or rear up to browse on taller plants. A <em>Stegosaurus's</em> centre of balance is near its massive hind legs, which allows it to rear up onto a tripod formed from its hind legs and tail to reach tall vegetation or get a better sense of its surroundings. It can also turn around with surprising alacrity by pushing sideways with its forelegs.</span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: 10px"><span style="font-family: 'Arial'"></span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: 10px"><span style="font-family: 'Arial'">A <em>Stegosaurus</em> has excellent defences. Its thick skin provides good armour, and is reinforced with bony ossicles over its throat and flanks, fortifying those vulnerable areas from attack. The large plates along its back are too thin to be effective armour. The cluster of four spikes at the tip of its tail is a lethally effective weapon called a Thagomizer, named after the late Neanderthal zoologist-adventurer Thag Simmons,.</span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: 10px"><span style="font-family: 'Arial'"></span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: 10px"><span style="font-family: 'Arial'">A full grown <em>Stegosaurus </em>is between 25 and 30 feet long from nose to tail-tip, and weighs from 5,000 to 10,000 pounds. Extremely large individuals can approach a Gargantuan 40 feet in length. A typical 25-30 foot long <em>Stegosaurus</em> is 11-13½ tall, including 2-2½ feet of height from its largest dorsal plates, with the actual back standing 9-11 feet above the ground. The spikes on their thagomizer can exceed a yard in length.</span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: 10px"><span style="font-family: 'Arial'"></span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: 10px"><span style="font-family: 'Arial'"><span style="font-size: 12px"><strong>Combat</strong></span></span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: 10px"><span style="font-family: 'Arial'">A <em>Stegosaurus</em> will pugnaciously defend itself from threats, responding surprisingly promptly for such a bulky animal. They attack with body-slams and swings of their tail-spikes, and can use the plates and spikes of their armour to cut and stab at any creature grappling with them.</span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: 10px"><span style="font-family: 'Arial'"></span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: 10px"><span style="font-family: 'Arial'"><strong>Damage</strong> <strong>Reduction</strong> <strong>(Ex):</strong> A <em>Stegosaurus</em> has a Damage Reduction equal to half its Hit Dice.</span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: 10px"><span style="font-family: 'Arial'"></span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: 10px"><span style="font-family: 'Arial'"><strong>Fortification</strong> <strong>(Ex):</strong> Whenever a critical hit or sneak attack is scored on a <em>Stegosaurus</em> there is a 50% chance that the special attack is negated and its damage is rolled normally.</span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: 10px"><span style="font-family: 'Arial'"><strong></strong></span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: 10px"><span style="font-family: 'Arial'"><strong>Offensive</strong> <strong>Armour</strong> <strong>(Ex):</strong> A <em>Stegosaurus</em> can use its spikes, plates and body-slams to do 2d6+12 crushing, slashing and piercing damage on a successful grapple attack. They can also use their armour to make standard or secondary melee attacks.</span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: 10px"><span style="font-family: 'Arial'"></span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: 10px"><span style="font-family: 'Arial'"><strong>Thagomizer</strong> <strong>(Ex):</strong> A <em>Stegosaurus's</em> tail-spikes attack is treated as a 2-handed weapon, so it gains 1½ times the creatures Strength bonus and the Power Attack feat adds +2 damage per –1 attack penalty. The thagomizer inflicts piercing damage, has a reach equal to a tall creature of the <em>Stegosaurus's</em> size, and does ×3 damage on a confirmed critical.</span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: 10px"><span style="font-family: 'Arial'"></span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: 10px"><span style="font-family: 'Arial'"><span style="font-size: 12px"><strong>Gargantuan</strong> <strong><em>Stegosaurus</em></strong></span></span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: 10px"><span style="font-family: 'Arial'">Gargantuan Animal</span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: 10px"><span style="font-family: 'Arial'"><strong>Hit</strong> <strong>Dice:</strong> 21d8+168 (262 hp)</span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: 10px"><span style="font-family: 'Arial'"><strong>Initiative:</strong> +3</span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: 10px"><span style="font-family: 'Arial'"><strong>Speed:</strong> 20 ft. (4 squares)</span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: 10px"><span style="font-family: 'Arial'"><strong>Armor</strong> <strong>Class:</strong> 20 (–4 size, –1 Dex, +15 natural), touch 5, flat-footed 20</span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: 10px"><span style="font-family: 'Arial'"><strong>Base</strong> <strong>Attack/Grapple:</strong> +15/+39</span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: 10px"><span style="font-family: 'Arial'"><strong>Attack:</strong> Tail-spikes +24 melee (4d8+18/19-20×3) or offensive armour +23 melee (3d6+12)</span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: 10px"><span style="font-family: 'Arial'"><strong>Full</strong> <strong>Attack:</strong> Tail-spikes +24 melee (4d8+18/19-20×3) and offensive armour +18 melee (3d6+6)</span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: 10px"><span style="font-family: 'Arial'"><strong>Space/Reach:</strong> 20 ft./15 ft. (20 ft. with tail-spikes)</span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: 10px"><span style="font-family: 'Arial'"><strong>Special</strong> <strong>Attacks:</strong> Offensive armour 3d6+18, thagomizer</span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: 10px"><span style="font-family: 'Arial'"><strong>Special</strong> <strong>Qualities:</strong> Damage reduction 10/–, fortification, low-light vision, scent</span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: 10px"><span style="font-family: 'Arial'"><strong>Saves:</strong> Fort +20, Ref +15, Will +10</span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: 10px"><span style="font-family: 'Arial'"><strong>Abilities:</strong> Str 34, Dex 9, Con 27, Int 1, Wis 12, Cha 6</span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: 10px"><span style="font-family: 'Arial'"><strong>Skills:</strong> Listen +15, Spot +15</span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: 10px"><span style="font-family: 'Arial'"><strong>Feats:</strong> Alertness, Endurance, Improved Critical (tail-spikes), Improved Initiative, Iron Will, Power Attack, Weapon Focus (tail-spikes)</span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: 10px"><span style="font-family: 'Arial'"><strong>Epic</strong> <strong>Feat:</strong> Epic Reflexes</span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: 10px"><span style="font-family: 'Arial'"><strong>Environment:</strong> Temperate or warm plains and forests</span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: 10px"><span style="font-family: 'Arial'"><strong>Organization:</strong> Solitary, pair or herd (3-6)</span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: 10px"><span style="font-family: 'Arial'"><strong>Challenge</strong> <strong>Rating:</strong> 10</span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: 10px"><span style="font-family: 'Arial'"><strong>Treasure:</strong> None</span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: 10px"><span style="font-family: 'Arial'"><strong>Alignment:</strong> Always neutral</span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: 10px"><span style="font-family: 'Arial'"><strong>Advancement:</strong> 22–39 HD (Gargantuan)</span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: 10px"><span style="font-family: 'Arial'"><strong>Level</strong> <strong>Adjustment:</strong> —</span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: 10px"><span style="font-family: 'Arial'"></span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: 10px"><span style="font-family: 'Arial'">A <em>Stegosaurus</em> of truly extraordinarily size, 40 feet in length and weighing 25000 pounds or more.</span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: 10px"><span style="font-family: 'Arial'"></span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: 10px"><span style="font-family: 'Arial'">It's possible these dinosaurs never reached such spectacular dimensions in real life.</span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: 10px"><span style="font-family: 'Arial'"></span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: 10px"><span style="font-family: 'Arial'"></span><span style="font-size: 15px"><strong><span style="font-family: 'Arial'">Other</span></strong><span style="font-family: 'Arial'"> <strong>Stegosaurs</strong></span></span><span style="font-family: 'Arial'"></span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: 10px"><span style="font-family: 'Arial'">The genus <em>Stegosaurus</em> includes the largest known species of Stegosaur although <em>Dacentrurus armatus</em> may rival it in size. Some of the other Stegosaurs are a bit smaller than <em>Stegosaurus</em> but still Huge-sized, for example <em>Tuojiangosaurus multispinus</em>. The smaller species are Large-sized, such as <em>Chungkingosaurus</em> (10-12 feet long) or <em>Kentrosaurus aethiopicus</em> (12-15 feet long).</span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: 10px"><span style="font-family: 'Arial'"></span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: 10px"><span style="font-family: 'Arial'">Most Stegosaurs do not have dorsal plates as large and broad as <em>Stegosaurus</em>. Many genera, like<em> Tuojiangosaurus</em>, have pointier dorsal plates that become more spike-shaped as they get closer to their tail, the change in shape is quite dramatic in such Stegosaurs as <em>Dacentrurus</em> or <em>Kentrosaurus</em> , whose dorsal armour abruptly switches from plates to spikes above the animal's hips. Some Stegosaurs, such as<em> Chungkingosaurus</em> or the aforementioned <em>Kentrosaurus</em> have an additional large spike upon each shoulderor, in the case of <em>Huayangosaurus</em>, above each hip. It is possible other Stegosaurs had these additional shoulder- or hip-spikes, and they haven't been found in the fossil record, or have just not been identified yet.</span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: 10px"><span style="font-family: 'Arial'"></span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: 10px"><span style="font-family: 'Arial'">The 'spikier' Stegosaurs' more bellicose dorsal plates may be enough to give them slightly higher damage, a +2 or +4 racial bonus on grapple checks when attacking with their Offensive Armour, or the Spiny Defence quality (see <em>Chungkingosaurus</em> for details).</span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: 10px"><span style="font-family: 'Arial'"></span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: 10px"><span style="font-family: 'Arial'"><span style="font-size: 12px"><strong><em>Tuojiangosaurus</em></strong></span></span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: 10px"><span style="font-family: 'Arial'"><strong>Late</strong> <strong>Jurassic</strong> <strong>(160-155</strong> <strong>MYA)</strong></span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: 10px"><span style="font-family: 'Arial'"><strong></strong>Huge Animal</span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: 10px"><span style="font-family: 'Arial'"><strong>Hit</strong> <strong>Dice:</strong> 11d8+66 (115 hp)</span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: 10px"><span style="font-family: 'Arial'"><strong>Initiative:</strong> +3</span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: 10px"><span style="font-family: 'Arial'"><strong>Speed:</strong> 20 ft. (4 squares)</span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: 10px"><span style="font-family: 'Arial'"><strong>Armor</strong> <strong>Class:</strong> 18 (–2 size, –1 Dex, +11 natural), touch 7, flat-footed 18</span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: 10px"><span style="font-family: 'Arial'"><strong>Base</strong> <strong>Attack/Grapple:</strong> +8/+23</span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: 10px"><span style="font-family: 'Arial'"><strong>Attack:</strong> Tail-spikes +14 melee (3d8+10/×3) or offensive armour +13 melee (2d6+7)</span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: 10px"><span style="font-family: 'Arial'"><strong>Full</strong> <strong>Attack:</strong> Tail-spikes +14 melee (3d8+10/×3) and offensive armour +8 melee (2d6+3)</span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: 10px"><span style="font-family: 'Arial'"><strong>Space/Reach:</strong> 15 ft./10 ft. (15 ft. with tail-spikes)</span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: 10px"><span style="font-family: 'Arial'"><strong>Special</strong> <strong>Attacks:</strong> Offensive armour 2d6+10, thagomizer</span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: 10px"><span style="font-family: 'Arial'"><strong>Special</strong> <strong>Qualities:</strong> Damage reduction 5/–, fortification, low-light vision, scent</span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: 10px"><span style="font-family: 'Arial'"><strong>Saves:</strong> Fort +13, Ref +6, Will +4</span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: 10px"><span style="font-family: 'Arial'"><strong>Abilities:</strong> Str 24, Dex 9, Con 23, Int 1, Wis 12, Cha 6</span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: 10px"><span style="font-family: 'Arial'"><strong>Skills:</strong> Listen +10, Spot +10</span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: 10px"><span style="font-family: 'Arial'"><strong>Feats:</strong> Alertness, Endurance, Improved Initiative, Weapon Focus (tail-spikes)</span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: 10px"><span style="font-family: 'Arial'"><strong>Environment:</strong> Temperate or warm plains and forests</span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: 10px"><span style="font-family: 'Arial'"><strong>Organization:</strong> Solitary, pair or herd (3-6)</span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: 10px"><span style="font-family: 'Arial'"><strong>Challenge</strong> <strong>Rating:</strong> 6</span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: 10px"><span style="font-family: 'Arial'"><strong>Treasure:</strong> None</span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: 10px"><span style="font-family: 'Arial'"><strong>Alignment:</strong> Always neutral</span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: 10px"><span style="font-family: 'Arial'"><strong>Advancement:</strong> 12–20 HD (Huge); 21–33 HD (Gargantuan)</span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: 10px"><span style="font-family: 'Arial'"><strong>Level</strong> <strong>Adjustment:</strong> —</span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: 10px"><span style="font-family: 'Arial'"></span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: 10px"><span style="font-family: 'Arial'">Typical of a medium to big sized Stegosaur. Huge in size, but not as enormous as <em>Stegosaurus</em> proper.</span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: 10px"><span style="font-family: 'Arial'"></span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: 10px"><span style="font-family: 'Arial'">An average <em>Tuojiangosaurus</em> is around 20 to 25 feet long and weighs between 4000 and 5000 pounds.</span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: 10px"><span style="font-family: 'Arial'"></span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: 10px"><span style="font-family: 'Arial'"><span style="font-size: 12px"><strong><em>Chungkingosaurus</em></strong></span></span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: 10px"><span style="font-family: 'Arial'"><strong>Late</strong> <strong>Jurassic</strong> <strong>(160-145</strong> <strong>MYA)</strong></span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: 10px"><span style="font-family: 'Arial'"><strong></strong>Large Animal</span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: 10px"><span style="font-family: 'Arial'"><strong>Hit</strong> <strong>Dice:</strong> 6d8+24 (51 hp)</span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: 10px"><span style="font-family: 'Arial'"><strong>Initiative:</strong> +4</span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: 10px"><span style="font-family: 'Arial'"><strong>Speed:</strong> 20 ft. (4 squares)</span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: 10px"><span style="font-family: 'Arial'"><strong>Armor</strong> <strong>Class:</strong> 17 (–1 size, +8 natural), touch 9, flat-footed 17</span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: 10px"><span style="font-family: 'Arial'"><strong>Base</strong> <strong>Attack/Grapple:</strong> +4/+12 [<em>+16 with Offensive Armour</em>]</span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: 10px"><span style="font-family: 'Arial'"><strong>Attack:</strong> Tail-spikes +8 melee (2d8+6/×3) or offensive armour +7 melee (1d10+4)</span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: 10px"><span style="font-family: 'Arial'"><strong>Full</strong> <strong>Attack:</strong> Tail-spikes +8 melee (2d8+6/×3) and offensive armour +2 melee (1d10+2)</span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: 10px"><span style="font-family: 'Arial'"><strong>Space/Reach:</strong> 10 ft./5 ft. (10 ft. with tail-spikes)</span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: 10px"><span style="font-family: 'Arial'"><strong>Special</strong> <strong>Attacks:</strong> Offensive armour 1d10+6, thagomizer</span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: 10px"><span style="font-family: 'Arial'"><strong>Special</strong> <strong>Qualities:</strong> Damage reduction 3/–, fortification, low-light vision, scent, spiny defence 1d10+4</span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: 10px"><span style="font-family: 'Arial'"><strong>Saves:</strong> Fort +9, Ref +5, Will +3</span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: 10px"><span style="font-family: 'Arial'"><strong>Abilities:</strong> Str 18, Dex 11, Con 19, Int 1, Wis 12, Cha 6</span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: 10px"><span style="font-family: 'Arial'"><strong>Skills:</strong> Listen +8, Spot +7</span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: 10px"><span style="font-family: 'Arial'"><strong>Feats:</strong> Alertness, Improved Initiative, Weapon Focus (tail-spikes)</span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: 10px"><span style="font-family: 'Arial'"><strong>Environment:</strong> Temperate or warm plains and forests</span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: 10px"><span style="font-family: 'Arial'"><strong>Organization:</strong> Solitary, pair or herd (3-6)</span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: 10px"><span style="font-family: 'Arial'"><strong>Challenge</strong> <strong>Rating:</strong> 3</span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: 10px"><span style="font-family: 'Arial'"><strong>Treasure:</strong> None</span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: 10px"><span style="font-family: 'Arial'"><strong>Alignment:</strong> Always neutral</span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: 10px"><span style="font-family: 'Arial'"><strong>Advancement:</strong> 7–10 HD (Large); 11–18 HD (Huge)</span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: 10px"><span style="font-family: 'Arial'"><strong>Level</strong> <strong>Adjustment:</strong> —</span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: 10px"><span style="font-family: 'Arial'"></span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: 10px"><span style="font-family: 'Arial'">One of the smallest of Stegosaurs, these dinosaurs have an abundance of armour spines which give them a +4 racial bonus on the Offensive Armour grapple checks and increases the armour's damage to 1d10.</span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: 10px"><span style="font-family: 'Arial'"></span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: 10px"><span style="font-family: 'Arial'">An adult <em>Chungkingosaurus</em> is typically between 10 and 13 feet long and weighs over 500 pounds.</span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: 10px"><span style="font-family: 'Arial'"><span style="font-size: 12px"></span></span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: 10px"><span style="font-family: 'Arial'"><span style="font-size: 12px"><strong>Combat</strong></span> </span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: 10px"><span style="font-family: 'Arial'"></span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: 10px"><span style="font-family: 'Arial'"><strong>Damage</strong> <strong>Reduction</strong> <strong>(Ex):</strong> A <em>Chungkingosaurus</em> has a Damage Reduction equal to half its Hit Dice.</span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: 10px"><span style="font-family: 'Arial'"></span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: 10px"><span style="font-family: 'Arial'"><strong>Fortification</strong> <strong>(Ex):</strong> Whenever a critical hit or sneak attack is scored on a <em>Chungkingosaurus</em> there is a 50% chance that the special attack is negated and its damage is rolled normally.</span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: 10px"><span style="font-family: 'Arial'"><strong></strong></span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: 10px"><span style="font-family: 'Arial'"><strong>Offensive</strong> <strong>Armour</strong> <strong>(Ex):</strong> A <em>Chungkingosaurus</em> can use its spikes, plates and body-slams to do 1d10+6 crushing, slashing and piercing damage on a successful grapple attack with a +4 racial bonus on this check. They can also use their armour to make standard or secondary melee attacks.</span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: 10px"><span style="font-family: 'Arial'"></span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: 10px"><span style="font-family: 'Arial'"><strong>Thagomizer</strong> <strong>(Ex):</strong> A <em>Chungkingosaurus's</em> tail-spikes attack is treated as a 2-handed weapon, so it gains 1½ times the creatures Strength bonus and the Power Attack feat adds +2 damage per –1 attack penalty. The thagomizer inflicts piercing damage, has a reach equal to a tall creature of the <em>Chungkingosaurus's</em> size, and does ×3 damage on a confirmed critical.</span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: 10px"><span style="font-family: 'Arial'"></span></span></p><p><span style="font-size: 10px"><span style="font-family: 'Arial'"><strong>Spiny</strong> <strong>Defence</strong> <strong>(Ex):</strong> Any creature that hits a <em>Chungkingosaurus</em> in melee using a handheld or natural weapon (but not a reach weapon) must succeed on a DC 13 Reflex save or take 1d10+4 points of damage from one of the creature’s spikes or dorsal spines. The save DC is Dexterity-based.</span></span></p></blockquote><p></p>
[QUOTE="Cleon, post: 4985394, member: 57383"] [b]Building a Better Stegosaurus[/b] [SIZE=2][B][SIZE=5][FONT=Arial]Stegosaurs[/FONT][/SIZE][FONT=Arial] Stegosaurs[/FONT][/B][FONT=Arial] [B]lived[/B] [B]from[/B] [B]the[/B] [B]Mid[/B] [B]Jurassic[/B] [B]to[/B] [B]Early[/B] [B]Cretaceous[/B] [B](175-100[/B] [B]MYA) [/B] [SIZE=4][B][I]Stegosaurus[/I][/B][/SIZE] [B]Late[/B] [B]Jurassic[/B] [B](150-145[/B] [B]MYA) [/B]Huge Animal [B]Hit[/B] [B]Dice:[/B] 13d8+78 (136 hp) [B]Initiative:[/B] +3 [B]Speed:[/B] 20 ft. (4 squares) [B]Armor[/B] [B]Class:[/B] 18 (–2 size, –1 Dex, +11 natural), touch 7, flat-footed 18 [B]Base[/B] [B]Attack/Grapple:[/B] +9/+25 [B]Attack:[/B] Tail-spikes +16 melee (3d8+12/×3) or offensive armour +15 melee (2d6+8) [B]Full[/B] [B]Attack:[/B] Tail-spikes +16 melee (3d8+12/×3) and offensive armour +10 melee (2d6+4) [B]Space/Reach:[/B] 15 ft./10 ft. (15 ft. with tail-spikes) [B]Special[/B] [B]Attacks:[/B] Offensive armour 2d6+12, thagomizer [B]Special[/B] [B]Qualities:[/B] Damage reduction 6/–, fortification, low-light vision, scent [B]Saves:[/B] Fort +14, Ref +7, Will +5 [B]Abilities:[/B] Str 26, Dex 9, Con 23, Int 1, Wis 12, Cha 6 [B]Skills:[/B] Listen +11, Spot +11 [B]Feats:[/B] Alertness, Endurance, Improved Initiative, Power Attack, Weapon Focus (tail-spikes) [B]Environment:[/B] Temperate or warm plains and forests [B]Organization:[/B] Solitary, pair or herd (3-6) [B]Challenge[/B] [B]Rating:[/B] 7 [B]Treasure:[/B] None [B]Alignment:[/B] Always neutral [B]Advancement:[/B] 14–20 HD (Huge); 21–39 HD (Gargantuan) [B]Level[/B] [B]Adjustment:[/B] — A [I]Stegosaurus[/I] has a bulky body, a powerful tail tipped with 4 formidable spikes and small, narrow head with a tortoise-like beak. A double row of triangular plates runs the length of its back. The tail is thick and powerful, taking up almost half the animal's body length, so the dinosaur's huge hind legs are set near the middle of the animal. Its front legs are sturdy but much shorter than the hind legs, so its head is normally held low to the ground. These dinosaurs are solitary herbivores, usually only congregating to breed. They can graze on low vegetation or rear up to browse on taller plants. A [I]Stegosaurus's[/I] centre of balance is near its massive hind legs, which allows it to rear up onto a tripod formed from its hind legs and tail to reach tall vegetation or get a better sense of its surroundings. It can also turn around with surprising alacrity by pushing sideways with its forelegs. A [I]Stegosaurus[/I] has excellent defences. Its thick skin provides good armour, and is reinforced with bony ossicles over its throat and flanks, fortifying those vulnerable areas from attack. The large plates along its back are too thin to be effective armour. The cluster of four spikes at the tip of its tail is a lethally effective weapon called a Thagomizer, named after the late Neanderthal zoologist-adventurer Thag Simmons,. A full grown [I]Stegosaurus [/I]is between 25 and 30 feet long from nose to tail-tip, and weighs from 5,000 to 10,000 pounds. Extremely large individuals can approach a Gargantuan 40 feet in length. A typical 25-30 foot long [I]Stegosaurus[/I] is 11-13½ tall, including 2-2½ feet of height from its largest dorsal plates, with the actual back standing 9-11 feet above the ground. The spikes on their thagomizer can exceed a yard in length. [SIZE=3][B]Combat[/B][/SIZE] A [I]Stegosaurus[/I] will pugnaciously defend itself from threats, responding surprisingly promptly for such a bulky animal. They attack with body-slams and swings of their tail-spikes, and can use the plates and spikes of their armour to cut and stab at any creature grappling with them. [B]Damage[/B] [B]Reduction[/B] [B](Ex):[/B] A [I]Stegosaurus[/I] has a Damage Reduction equal to half its Hit Dice. [B]Fortification[/B] [B](Ex):[/B] Whenever a critical hit or sneak attack is scored on a [I]Stegosaurus[/I] there is a 50% chance that the special attack is negated and its damage is rolled normally. [B] Offensive[/B] [B]Armour[/B] [B](Ex):[/B] A [I]Stegosaurus[/I] can use its spikes, plates and body-slams to do 2d6+12 crushing, slashing and piercing damage on a successful grapple attack. They can also use their armour to make standard or secondary melee attacks. [B]Thagomizer[/B] [B](Ex):[/B] A [I]Stegosaurus's[/I] tail-spikes attack is treated as a 2-handed weapon, so it gains 1½ times the creatures Strength bonus and the Power Attack feat adds +2 damage per –1 attack penalty. The thagomizer inflicts piercing damage, has a reach equal to a tall creature of the [I]Stegosaurus's[/I] size, and does ×3 damage on a confirmed critical. [SIZE=3][B]Gargantuan[/B] [B][I]Stegosaurus[/I][/B][/SIZE] Gargantuan Animal [B]Hit[/B] [B]Dice:[/B] 21d8+168 (262 hp) [B]Initiative:[/B] +3 [B]Speed:[/B] 20 ft. (4 squares) [B]Armor[/B] [B]Class:[/B] 20 (–4 size, –1 Dex, +15 natural), touch 5, flat-footed 20 [B]Base[/B] [B]Attack/Grapple:[/B] +15/+39 [B]Attack:[/B] Tail-spikes +24 melee (4d8+18/19-20×3) or offensive armour +23 melee (3d6+12) [B]Full[/B] [B]Attack:[/B] Tail-spikes +24 melee (4d8+18/19-20×3) and offensive armour +18 melee (3d6+6) [B]Space/Reach:[/B] 20 ft./15 ft. (20 ft. with tail-spikes) [B]Special[/B] [B]Attacks:[/B] Offensive armour 3d6+18, thagomizer [B]Special[/B] [B]Qualities:[/B] Damage reduction 10/–, fortification, low-light vision, scent [B]Saves:[/B] Fort +20, Ref +15, Will +10 [B]Abilities:[/B] Str 34, Dex 9, Con 27, Int 1, Wis 12, Cha 6 [B]Skills:[/B] Listen +15, Spot +15 [B]Feats:[/B] Alertness, Endurance, Improved Critical (tail-spikes), Improved Initiative, Iron Will, Power Attack, Weapon Focus (tail-spikes) [B]Epic[/B] [B]Feat:[/B] Epic Reflexes [B]Environment:[/B] Temperate or warm plains and forests [B]Organization:[/B] Solitary, pair or herd (3-6) [B]Challenge[/B] [B]Rating:[/B] 10 [B]Treasure:[/B] None [B]Alignment:[/B] Always neutral [B]Advancement:[/B] 22–39 HD (Gargantuan) [B]Level[/B] [B]Adjustment:[/B] — A [I]Stegosaurus[/I] of truly extraordinarily size, 40 feet in length and weighing 25000 pounds or more. It's possible these dinosaurs never reached such spectacular dimensions in real life. [/FONT][SIZE=4][B][FONT=Arial]Other[/FONT][/B][FONT=Arial] [B]Stegosaurs[/B][/FONT][/SIZE][FONT=Arial] The genus [I]Stegosaurus[/I] includes the largest known species of Stegosaur although [I]Dacentrurus armatus[/I] may rival it in size. Some of the other Stegosaurs are a bit smaller than [I]Stegosaurus[/I] but still Huge-sized, for example [I]Tuojiangosaurus multispinus[/I]. The smaller species are Large-sized, such as [I]Chungkingosaurus[/I] (10-12 feet long) or [I]Kentrosaurus aethiopicus[/I] (12-15 feet long). Most Stegosaurs do not have dorsal plates as large and broad as [I]Stegosaurus[/I]. Many genera, like[I] Tuojiangosaurus[/I], have pointier dorsal plates that become more spike-shaped as they get closer to their tail, the change in shape is quite dramatic in such Stegosaurs as [I]Dacentrurus[/I] or [I]Kentrosaurus[/I] , whose dorsal armour abruptly switches from plates to spikes above the animal's hips. Some Stegosaurs, such as[I] Chungkingosaurus[/I] or the aforementioned [I]Kentrosaurus[/I] have an additional large spike upon each shoulderor, in the case of [I]Huayangosaurus[/I], above each hip. It is possible other Stegosaurs had these additional shoulder- or hip-spikes, and they haven't been found in the fossil record, or have just not been identified yet. The 'spikier' Stegosaurs' more bellicose dorsal plates may be enough to give them slightly higher damage, a +2 or +4 racial bonus on grapple checks when attacking with their Offensive Armour, or the Spiny Defence quality (see [I]Chungkingosaurus[/I] for details). [SIZE=3][B][I]Tuojiangosaurus[/I][/B][/SIZE] [B]Late[/B] [B]Jurassic[/B] [B](160-155[/B] [B]MYA) [/B]Huge Animal [B]Hit[/B] [B]Dice:[/B] 11d8+66 (115 hp) [B]Initiative:[/B] +3 [B]Speed:[/B] 20 ft. (4 squares) [B]Armor[/B] [B]Class:[/B] 18 (–2 size, –1 Dex, +11 natural), touch 7, flat-footed 18 [B]Base[/B] [B]Attack/Grapple:[/B] +8/+23 [B]Attack:[/B] Tail-spikes +14 melee (3d8+10/×3) or offensive armour +13 melee (2d6+7) [B]Full[/B] [B]Attack:[/B] Tail-spikes +14 melee (3d8+10/×3) and offensive armour +8 melee (2d6+3) [B]Space/Reach:[/B] 15 ft./10 ft. (15 ft. with tail-spikes) [B]Special[/B] [B]Attacks:[/B] Offensive armour 2d6+10, thagomizer [B]Special[/B] [B]Qualities:[/B] Damage reduction 5/–, fortification, low-light vision, scent [B]Saves:[/B] Fort +13, Ref +6, Will +4 [B]Abilities:[/B] Str 24, Dex 9, Con 23, Int 1, Wis 12, Cha 6 [B]Skills:[/B] Listen +10, Spot +10 [B]Feats:[/B] Alertness, Endurance, Improved Initiative, Weapon Focus (tail-spikes) [B]Environment:[/B] Temperate or warm plains and forests [B]Organization:[/B] Solitary, pair or herd (3-6) [B]Challenge[/B] [B]Rating:[/B] 6 [B]Treasure:[/B] None [B]Alignment:[/B] Always neutral [B]Advancement:[/B] 12–20 HD (Huge); 21–33 HD (Gargantuan) [B]Level[/B] [B]Adjustment:[/B] — Typical of a medium to big sized Stegosaur. Huge in size, but not as enormous as [I]Stegosaurus[/I] proper. An average [I]Tuojiangosaurus[/I] is around 20 to 25 feet long and weighs between 4000 and 5000 pounds. [SIZE=3][B][I]Chungkingosaurus[/I][/B][/SIZE] [B]Late[/B] [B]Jurassic[/B] [B](160-145[/B] [B]MYA) [/B]Large Animal [B]Hit[/B] [B]Dice:[/B] 6d8+24 (51 hp) [B]Initiative:[/B] +4 [B]Speed:[/B] 20 ft. (4 squares) [B]Armor[/B] [B]Class:[/B] 17 (–1 size, +8 natural), touch 9, flat-footed 17 [B]Base[/B] [B]Attack/Grapple:[/B] +4/+12 [[I]+16 with Offensive Armour[/I]] [B]Attack:[/B] Tail-spikes +8 melee (2d8+6/×3) or offensive armour +7 melee (1d10+4) [B]Full[/B] [B]Attack:[/B] Tail-spikes +8 melee (2d8+6/×3) and offensive armour +2 melee (1d10+2) [B]Space/Reach:[/B] 10 ft./5 ft. (10 ft. with tail-spikes) [B]Special[/B] [B]Attacks:[/B] Offensive armour 1d10+6, thagomizer [B]Special[/B] [B]Qualities:[/B] Damage reduction 3/–, fortification, low-light vision, scent, spiny defence 1d10+4 [B]Saves:[/B] Fort +9, Ref +5, Will +3 [B]Abilities:[/B] Str 18, Dex 11, Con 19, Int 1, Wis 12, Cha 6 [B]Skills:[/B] Listen +8, Spot +7 [B]Feats:[/B] Alertness, Improved Initiative, Weapon Focus (tail-spikes) [B]Environment:[/B] Temperate or warm plains and forests [B]Organization:[/B] Solitary, pair or herd (3-6) [B]Challenge[/B] [B]Rating:[/B] 3 [B]Treasure:[/B] None [B]Alignment:[/B] Always neutral [B]Advancement:[/B] 7–10 HD (Large); 11–18 HD (Huge) [B]Level[/B] [B]Adjustment:[/B] — One of the smallest of Stegosaurs, these dinosaurs have an abundance of armour spines which give them a +4 racial bonus on the Offensive Armour grapple checks and increases the armour's damage to 1d10. An adult [I]Chungkingosaurus[/I] is typically between 10 and 13 feet long and weighs over 500 pounds. [SIZE=3] [B]Combat[/B][/SIZE] [B]Damage[/B] [B]Reduction[/B] [B](Ex):[/B] A [I]Chungkingosaurus[/I] has a Damage Reduction equal to half its Hit Dice. [B]Fortification[/B] [B](Ex):[/B] Whenever a critical hit or sneak attack is scored on a [I]Chungkingosaurus[/I] there is a 50% chance that the special attack is negated and its damage is rolled normally. [B] Offensive[/B] [B]Armour[/B] [B](Ex):[/B] A [I]Chungkingosaurus[/I] can use its spikes, plates and body-slams to do 1d10+6 crushing, slashing and piercing damage on a successful grapple attack with a +4 racial bonus on this check. They can also use their armour to make standard or secondary melee attacks. [B]Thagomizer[/B] [B](Ex):[/B] A [I]Chungkingosaurus's[/I] tail-spikes attack is treated as a 2-handed weapon, so it gains 1½ times the creatures Strength bonus and the Power Attack feat adds +2 damage per –1 attack penalty. The thagomizer inflicts piercing damage, has a reach equal to a tall creature of the [I]Chungkingosaurus's[/I] size, and does ×3 damage on a confirmed critical. [B]Spiny[/B] [B]Defence[/B] [B](Ex):[/B] Any creature that hits a [I]Chungkingosaurus[/I] in melee using a handheld or natural weapon (but not a reach weapon) must succeed on a DC 13 Reflex save or take 1d10+4 points of damage from one of the creature’s spikes or dorsal spines. The save DC is Dexterity-based.[/FONT][/SIZE] [/QUOTE]
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