el-remmen
Moderator Emeritus
So I have never (that I remember) used an ankheg as a DM (or faced one as a player). The adventure I am currently running for one of my groups suggests an ankheg encounter and I immediately thought it'd be a great opportunity to finally use one and have my group face off with what I thought of as a big tough solo monster.
But an ankheg really isn't all that tough, not sure why I thought it was (maybe some early edition art colored that perception?). Looking at the 2014 DnD version, I yawned. And the 2024 version was no more interesting.
It doesn't have enough hit points (I am thinking about twice as many on average). It only has a bite as the only physical attack and if it grapples an opponent, it can't bite a different one - nor is there any indication of what it can/could do once it has an opponent in its mouth. It doesn't swallow them or grind them in it mandibles and does more damage. There is no even indication that it can or can't use its acid spray on the grappled opponent (assuming the spray comes from its mouth) or on others. So what benefit does it get to grapple an opponent except to potentially take one out of the fight, assuming it has a tunnel to escape through, since it cannot burrow very fast (not is it clear how it burrows with someone in their mouth).
I think at the very least it should have some kind of claw attack (since presumable it uses its front legs to help dig through earth and stone, they should do damage) and I think once a creature is grappled in its mouth the creature should take auto bite/acid damage each turn, if it does not escape (an additional bite, even at advantage, seems not scary enough). This way, it can hold on to a potential meal, while fending off threats.
I also think it should have some kind of "burst from the ground" ability that lets it surprise foes and knock down/back those around where it comes up.
What do you think? Any suggestions or alternate versions? Anyone wanna take a crack at building a better ankheg? I will a version soon, but wanted to see what others might say.
But an ankheg really isn't all that tough, not sure why I thought it was (maybe some early edition art colored that perception?). Looking at the 2014 DnD version, I yawned. And the 2024 version was no more interesting.
It doesn't have enough hit points (I am thinking about twice as many on average). It only has a bite as the only physical attack and if it grapples an opponent, it can't bite a different one - nor is there any indication of what it can/could do once it has an opponent in its mouth. It doesn't swallow them or grind them in it mandibles and does more damage. There is no even indication that it can or can't use its acid spray on the grappled opponent (assuming the spray comes from its mouth) or on others. So what benefit does it get to grapple an opponent except to potentially take one out of the fight, assuming it has a tunnel to escape through, since it cannot burrow very fast (not is it clear how it burrows with someone in their mouth).
I think at the very least it should have some kind of claw attack (since presumable it uses its front legs to help dig through earth and stone, they should do damage) and I think once a creature is grappled in its mouth the creature should take auto bite/acid damage each turn, if it does not escape (an additional bite, even at advantage, seems not scary enough). This way, it can hold on to a potential meal, while fending off threats.
I also think it should have some kind of "burst from the ground" ability that lets it surprise foes and knock down/back those around where it comes up.
What do you think? Any suggestions or alternate versions? Anyone wanna take a crack at building a better ankheg? I will a version soon, but wanted to see what others might say.
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