Kruthik, Greater (CR 6)

Large Magical Beast
Alignment: Usually lawful evil
Initiative: +5 (Dex); Senses: darkvision 60 ft., keen scent, low-light vision, and Listen +4


AC: 25 (-1 size, +5 Dex, +11 natural), touch 14, flat-footed 20
Hit Dice: 8d10+32 (76 hp)
Fort +10, Ref +11, Will +3
Speed: 40 ft.
Space: 10 ft./10 ft.
Base Attack +8; Grapple +19
Attack: Claw +16 melee
Full Attack: 2 claws +15 melee and bite +9 melee
Damage: Claws 2d6+7/19-20 plus 2d4 acid, bite 1d6+3 plus 2d4 acid
Special Attacks/Actions: Rake 2d4+3/19-20 plus 2d4 acid
Abilities: Str 25, Dex 20, Con 19, Int 4, Wis 13, Cha 10
Special Qualities: resistance to acid 10
Feats: Improved Critical (claw); Power Attack; Weapon Focus (claw)
Skills: Hide +9*, Listen +4, and Move Silently +13
Advancement: 9-12 HD (Large)
Climate/Terrain: Warm plains
Organization: Solitary or pack (2-8)
Treasure/Possessions: None

Source: Miniatures Handbook

Rake (Ex): Two claws, attack bonus +15 melee, damage 2d4+3/19-20 plus 2d4 acid.

Keen Scent (Ex): A kruthik can notice creatures by scent in a 180-foot radius.

Skills: Kruthiks have a +4 racial bonus on Hide and Move Silently checks. *In areas of natural vegetation, the bonus Hide checks increases to +8.

Kruthiks seem to have originated during a process of magical experimentation, possibly an attempt to add insectoid and infernal enhancements to a deinonychus or similar reptile. In temperament, kruthiks certainly take after the devils who are said to be their creators.

The insect heritage of the kruthik is most apparent in its life cycle: A hatchling undergoes two stages of metamorphosis before reaching maturity. Except during the brief periods it spends cocooned, a kruthik is deadly in every stage of its life.

Greater kruthiks are amazingly agile for their size, and almost equally on brute strength and quick movement to a annihilate their prey. Their smaller inner claws are larger and more useful than those of the kruthik's earlier stages, though the creature can make them useful in combat only when grappling.