In fact, I think it would have very little imagination with respect to what might constitute a good deal.

I don’t think it would be possible to trick a manticore into accepting a bad deal. The manticore’s Intelligence is 7 its Wisdom, however, is 12. If a manticore sees an advantage to be gained by sparing a creature’s life, it does so, asking for a tribute or sacrifice equal to its loss of food. In the course of attacking, it denigrates its foes and offers to kill them swiftly if they beg for their lives. This part makes a little less sense, though this is a monstrosity we’re talking about, after all, so some of its behaviors are going to be weird:Ī manticore isn’t particularly bright, but it possesses a malevolent nature and the ability to converse. It stands to reason that it would use its strongest, safest attack first, then close in to finish off injured enemies. Its Strength, Dexterity and Constitution are all very high, suiting it equally for ranged and close-in combat.

The Tail Spike is a strong attack with good damage and a generous range, and the manticore can hurl three in a single Multiattack action. Given the manticore’s stat and feature profile, these tactics make sense. When outdoors and outnumbered, it uses its wings to stay aloft, attacking from a distance until its spikes are depleted. I didn’t realize when I chose it-to be honest, if I don’t have a theme I’m following or a request to fulfill, I choose these monsters more or less at random, although I tend to favor the old-school ones-but the manticore is the first creature I’ve encountered whose tactics are already laid out in the Monster Manual flavor text:Ī manticore begins its attack with a volley of tail spikes, then lands and uses its claws and bite.

Dungeons and dragons manticore