Monster in need of rating.

[Grazzt]

I agree with CR 4. Not sure if I like making it a large creature with a 10x10 foot size footprint, though.

Standard large spider in the MM has a Face/Reach of 10 ft by 10 ft/5 ft.

 

[Grazzt]

OK- I am writing a product that deals with spiders (possibly as a web enhancement to the Tome of Horrors..perhaps print...who knows). Anyway:

The way I would handle the trap-door spider:

Take the basic spider stats for the Large spider (or whatever size you prefer) in the MM. Modify as follows (these are for a Large trap-door spider):

Speed: 30 ft, climb 20 ft, burrow 20 ft

Special Qualities: Ambush, tremorsense

Skills: Climb +5, Hide +8, Spot +7

CR: 3


Ambush (Ex): When hiding in its lair, a trap-door spider is effectively invisible until it attacks. If a trap-door spider surprises its opponent, it gains a +4 conditional bonus to its attack roll for that round.

Tremorsense (Ex): Trap-door spiders can automatically sense the location of anything within 60 feet that is in contact with the ground.

 

[Xarlen]

Skills are off quite a bit. Vermin only get 10-12 skill points total...regardless of HD.

Also- Large creatures suffer a -4 penalty to Hide checks.

Look at the stats for the spider, then check down to see the astristed thing: Hunting spiders get +8 to hide, and additional to spot and jump.


Graazt, how is the Trap Door supposed to drag the victim back into it's nest?

 

[Grazzt]

Graazt, how is the Trap Door supposed to drag the victim back into it's nest?

Using a grapple check I would assume. But- monsters can grapple without having to have Improved Grab, though I can see where this guy would be a prime candidate for it. I don't think it would be too harsh to tack that on:

Improved Grab (Ex): To use this ability, the trap door spider must hit an opponent of up to Medium-size with a bite attack. If it gets a hold, it deals automatica bite damage as long as the hold is maintained and drags its opponent into its lair. The trap-door spider has a grapple bonus of +9.