Question about the Manticore's Tail Spike Attack

[RigaMortus]

It says in the MM (pg 131) that a Manticore can launch a volley of 6 spikes at a target as a single action. Under Attacks it lists "6 spikes +6 ranged" and under Damage it lists "spike 1d8+2".

First, when a Manticore launches it's spikes, do you roll for each one seperately or is it one attack?

Second, is the 1d8+2 damage equal to just one spike hitting or all 6 spikes hitting?

 

[mikebr99]

I'll say... Roll for each spike, and each spike does 1d8+2 damage.

 

[Macbrea]

You roll a seperate attack for each spike and you apply 1d8+2 per spike that hits.

This also holds true in things like 2 claws +9 melee at claw 1d6+4.

Which means two claw attacks at +9 melee, with each attack doing 1d6+4 damage.


Same as a human gets 1d3 fist attack. They can choose to attack with two fists each doing 1d3. Monsters get a spiffy ability though to not take huge penalties that humans do attacking with its natural weapons.

 

[Grazzt]

yeppers- just like the guys above said:

Six attacks at +6 ranged, each deals 1d8+2 points of damage.

 

[RigaMortus]

Thx for the replies... That is what I thought it was, although it seems pretty darn devastating when fired at a single opponent (which I assume you can only fire at a single target, and not split the spike attack up like you can with Magic Missle, for example. Right?)

 

[Grazzt]

Doesnt say ya can't fire it at more than one opponent, but it doesnt say ya can either.

The way I ran it (when the party encountered a lair of manticores in Rappan Athuk) was that a manticore snapped its tail and all six spikes were released simultaneously...so all launched at one target.

 

[RigaMortus]

Hmmm, I think what I'll do is have one main target and then any spikes that miss the target will have a chance of hitting the person(s) next to them (using the same "to Hit" roll of course).

 

[Vaxalon]

I take all the shots at one target, and if they miss, they miss, just like any other attack. No reason to make it any more deadly than it already is.

 

[Someone]

I made the manticores shoot at different targets. But maybe only because I played the old D&D arcade...

 

[Grazzt]

I take all the shots at one target, and if they miss, they miss, just like any other attack. No reason to make it any more deadly than it already is.

Agreed. A manticore can be a formiddable opponent if played correctly.