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Message: <blockquote data-quote="Gez" data-source="post: 907940" data-attributes="member: 1328">Real catsHouse cats in the MM look like nothing at all, really. Clumsy compared to a dog, and unable to jump. Why are wizards casting cat's grace when D&D cats are all but graceful ?Fortunately, here are real cat statistics, made from the guidelines in the MM2, and real-life experience with cats.Tiny Animal (Feline)Hit Dice: 1/2 d8 (2 hp)Initiative: +5 (Dex)Speed: 30 ft.Armor Class: 17 (+2 size, +5 Dex)Attacks: 2 claws +5 melee, bite +0 meleeDamage: Claw 1d2-4 subdual, bite 1d3-4 subdualFace/Reach: 2.5 ft. by 2.5 ft./0 ft.Special Attacks: Pounce, improved grab, rake 1d2-4 subdualSpecial Qualities: Blindsight 2 ft. diameter, scentSaves: Fort +0, Ref +7, Will +3Abilities: Str 3, Dex 21, Con 10, Int 2, Wis 12, Cha 8Skills: Balance +12, Climb +8, Hide +20*, Jump +10, Listen +4, Move Silently +12, Spot +4Climate/Terrain: Any landOrganization: Solitary or pride (4-24 cats)Challenge Rating: 1/8Treasure: NoneAlignment: Always neutralAdvancement: -Combat:Cats deal subdual damage rather than normal damage with their claws and teeth. If scoring a critical hit, however, damage is not multiplied, but they deal normal damage instead.Pounce: If a cat leaps upon a foe as part of a charge, it can make a full attack.Improved Grab: A cat may only use this ability against Diminutive or smaller foes ([thread=48547]more useful than you may think[/thread). To use this ability, the cat must hit with a claw or bite attack. If it gets a hold, it can rake.Rake: A cat that gets a hold may make a rake attack (+5 melee) with both its hind legs for 1d2-4 subdual damage. If the cat pounces, it may also rake. A grappled cat may also rake at its grappling foe as a defense.Skills: Cats receive a +4 racial bonus to Hide, Move Silently, and Jump checks; and a +8 racial bonus to Balance checks. They use their Dexterity modifier to Climb and Jump checks. *In area of tall grass or heavy undergrowth, the Hide bonus rises to +8 (totaling +24).CommentsAbilities: Straight from the MM2 lines for Tiny animals (see the charts in the introduction). I've then upped the Dex a couple points, because cats are supposed to be dexterous, aren't they ?Pounce, imp. grab, rake: They have it, they use it. Of course, they rather use their attacks against mice, lizards, and small insects or spiders, but I've seen people raked by cats too. They have no problem twisting their body in the good direction to claw at you with their hind legs, whatever the way you hold them (unless you pin them helpless).Subdual damage: Cat scratches are nasty, but they won't kill a commoner in 20 seconds. However, if you're unlucky, you may lose an eye or an ear, hence I gave them real damage through critical hits.Scent: They have it.Blindsight: Between their 6th sense (an hypersophisticated sense of smell thanks to their organ of Jacobson, see <a href="http://chemistry.about.com/library/weekly/aa051601a.htm" target="_blank">this</a> for reference) and their vibration-sensitive whiskers, they are able to sense the presence -- and location -- of something moving nearby even with the eyes closed.</blockquote>

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