This enormous rodent is close to the size of a human male. It is covered in shaggy brown fur, and enormous sharp teeth line a massive gaping jaw.

XP 3,200

Advanced HD dire rat

N Medium animal

Init +7; Senses low-light vision, scent; Perception +12

AC 24, touch 13, flat-footed 21 (+3 Dex, +11 natural)

hp 97 (15d8+30)

Fort +11, Ref +12, Will +6

Speed 40 ft., climb 20 ft., swim 20 ft.

Melee

bite +15 (1d8+4 plus disease) or

Power Attack Improved Vital Strike bite +11 (1d8+16 plus 2d8 plus disease)

Special Attacks disease (Fort DC 19 negates)

Str 16, Dex 16, Con 15, Int 2, Wis 13, Cha 4

Base Atk +11/+6/+1; CMB +14; CMD 27 (31 vs. trip)

Feats Combat Reflexes, Improved Initiative, Improved Natural Attack (bite), Improved Vital Strike, Power Attack, Skill Focus (Perception), Vital Strike, Weapon Focus (bite)

Skills Acrobatics +11, Climb +19, Perception +12, Stealth +11, Swim +19

Environment any urban, swamp

Organization solitary, pair, or pack (3-6)

Treasure none

Combat Reflexes Make a number of additional attacks of opportunity per round equal to your Dexterity bonus. May make attacks of opportunity while flat-footed.

Disease (Ex) Filth fever: Bite—injury; save Fort DC 19; onset 1d3 days; frequency 1/day; effect 1d3 Dex damage and 1d3 Con damage; cure 2 consecutive saves. The save DC is Constitution-based.

Improved Vital Strike When you use the attack action, you can make one attack at your highest base attack bonus that deals additional damage. Roll the weapon's damage dice for the attack three times and add the results together before adding bonuses from Strength, weapon abilities (such as flaming), precision based damage, and other damage bonuses. These extra weapon damage dice are not multiplied on a critical hit, but are added to the total.

Power Attack Take -4 penalty on all melee attack rolls and combat maneuver checks to gain +8 bonus on all melee damage rolls. Bonus increased by half (+50%) if attacking with a two-handed weapon or a one-handed weapon using two hands. Bonus halved (-50%) if attacking with an off-hand weapon. You must choose to use this feat before making an attack roll, and its effects last until your next turn. Bonus damage does not apply to touch attacks or effects that do not deal hit point damage.

Scent (Ex) Can detect opponents within 30 ft. by smell (60 ft. if opponent upwind, 15 ft. downwind). Strong scents (smoke or garbage) at twice range and overpowering scents (skunk or troglodyte) at triple range. Exact location not revealed, only presence within range. As move action, note direction of scent (pinpoints when within 5 ft.). Track by smell with Wisdom (or Survival) check (DC 10 for fresh trail on any surface). Increase DC by 2 per hour of trail's age. Otherwise as Survival skill ignoring surface conditions and poor visibility.

Converted by Charles W. Plemons III from The Princess Bride.

A rodent of unusual size is a fearsome and dangerous predator and opportunist. They grow up 7 feet long and can weigh up to 500 lbs. ROUS's are uncommon menances, so much so that many people do not believe they even exist.

Variations

Baby: Apply the advanced template to the dire rat stat block.

Adolescent: Apply the advanced giant template to the dire rat stat block.