Spider Eater

Name	Spider Eater
Sorted Name	Spider Eater
Family	Spider Eater
Size and Type	Large Magical Beast
Hit Dice Count	4
Hit Dice	4d10+20 (42 hp)
Random Hit Points	4d10+20 - 20
Initiative	+1
Speed	30 ft. (6 squares), fly 60 ft. (good)
Armor Class	14 (-1 size, +1 Dex, +4 natural), touch 10, flat-footed 13
Base Attack/Grapple	+4/+13
Attack	Sting +8 melee (1d8+5 plus poison)
Full Attack	Sting +8 melee (1d8+5 plus poison) and bite +3 melee (1d8+2)
Space/Reach	10 ft./5 ft.
Special Attacks	Implant, poison
Special Qualities	Darkvision 60 ft., freedom of movement, low-light vision, scent
Saves	Fort +9, Ref +5, Will +2
Abilities	Str 21, Dex 13, Con 21, Int 2, Wis 12, Cha 10
Skills	Listen +10, Spot +11
Feats	Alertness, Dodge
Environment	Temperate forests
Challenge Rating	5
Organization	Solitary
Treasure	None
Alignment	Always neutral
Advancement	5-12 HD (Huge)
Level Adjustment	-
Version	SRD
Sources	System Reference Document
Stat_Block	Spider eater; CR 5; Large magical beast; HD 4d10+20; hp 42; Init +1; Spd 30 ft. (6 squares), fly 60 ft. (good); AC 14 (-1 size, +1 dex, +4 natural), touch 10, flat-footed 13; Base Atk +4; Grp +13; Atk +8 melee (1d8+5 plus poison, sting); Full Atk +8 melee (1d8+5 plus poison, sting) and +3 melee (1d8+2, bite); Space/Reach 10 ft./5 ft.; SA Implant, poison; SQ Darkvision 60 ft., freedom of movement, low-light vision, scent; AL N; SV Fort +9, Ref +5, Will +2; Str 21, Dex 13, Con 21, Int 2, Wis 12, Cha 10 Skills and Feats: Listen +10, Spot +11; Alertness, Dodge

	Spider Eater
	Large Magical Beast
Hit Dice:	4d10+20 (42 hp)
Initiative:	+1
Speed:	30 ft. (6 squares), fly 60 ft. (good)
Armor Class:	14 (-1 size, +1 Dex, +4 natural), touch 10, flat-footed 13
Base Attack/Grapple:	+4/+13
Attack:	Sting +8 melee (1d8+5 plus poison)
Full Attack:	Sting +8 melee (1d8+5 plus poison) and bite +3 melee (1d8+2)
Space/Reach:	10 ft./5 ft.
Special Attacks:	Implant, poison
Special Qualities:	Darkvision 60 ft., freedom of movement, low-light vision, scent
Saves:	Fort +9, Ref +5, Will +2
Abilities:	Str 21, Dex 13, Con 21, Int 2, Wis 12, Cha 10
Skills:	Listen +10, Spot +11
Feats:	Alertness, Dodge
Environment:	Temperate forests
Organization:	Solitary
Challenge Rating:	5
Treasure:	None
Alignment:	Always neutral
Advancement:	5-12 HD (Huge)
Level Adjustment:	-

A spider eater is about 10 feet long and 4 feet high, and has a wingspan of about 20 feet. It weighs about 4,000 pounds.

Combat

A spider eater attacks with its venomous sting and powerful mandibles. Its usual tactic is to deliver a sting, then back off, hovering out of reach until the venom takes effect.

Implant (Ex): Female spider eaters lay their eggs inside paralyzed creatures of Large or larger size. The young emerge about six weeks later, literally devouring the host from inside.

Poison (Ex): Injury, Fortitude DC 17, initial damage none, secondary damage paralysis for 1d8+5 weeks. The save DC is Constitution-based.

Freedom of Movement (Su): Spider eaters have a continuous freedom of movement ability as the spell (caster level 12th). When the spider eater serves as a mount, this effect does not extend to its rider.

Skills: Spider eaters have a +4 racial bonus on Listen and Spot checks.

Training A Spider Eater

A spider eater requires training before it can bear a rider in combat.

Training a spider eater requires six weeks of work and a DC 25 Handle Animal check. Riding a spider eater requires an exotic saddle. A spider eater can fight while carrying a rider, but the rider cannot also attack unless he or she succeeds on a Ride check.

Spider eater eggs are worth 2,000 gp apiece on the open market, while young are worth 3,000 gp each. Professional trainers charge 3,000 gp to rear or train a spider eater.

Carrying Capacity: A light load for a spider eater is up to 306 pounds; a medium load, 307-612 pounds; and a heavy load, 613-920 pounds.