MUSK-OX
FREQUENCY: Common
NO. APPEARING: 11-20
ARMOR CLASS: 5
MOVE: 15"
HIT DICE: 4
NO. OF ATTACKS: 2 horns, or 1 charge
w i t h t r a m p l e
DAMAGE/ATTACK: 2-5/2-5, or 2-16 and 1-4/1 -4
These oxlike animals roam the arctic tundras and forests. For more information, see the "musk ox" listing in the article "Into the Age of Mammals," in this issue.
Musk-Ox
These oxlike animals with short curved horns are famous for their phalanx defense. When threatened, the adults gather in a shoulder circle facing outward, with the young in the center. If an enemy comes too close (usually 15' or so), 2-5 adults charge the interloper and trample it. There were several species of muskoxen in the Pleistocene, some larger than others (up to 4 + 5 HD). They generally stood 4½' high at the shoulder. Game statistics on musk-oxen are found in the article "What's for Lunch?" in this issue.
Originally appeared in Dragon Magazine #137 (1988).