FREQUENCY: Rare

FREQUENCY: Rare ([Cold Freshwater Surface], [Cold Freshwater Depths])
FREQUENCY: Rare ([Cold Saltwater Surface], [Cold Saltwater Depths])

FREQUENCY: Rare ([Temperate Freshwater Surface], [Temperate Freshwater Depths])
FREQUENCY: Rare ([Temperate Saltwater Surface], [Temperate Saltwater Depths])

FREQUENCY: Rare ([Tropical Freshwater Surface], [Tropical Freshwater Depths])
FREQUENCY: Very rare ([Tropical Saltwater Surface])
FREQUENCY: Rare ([Tropical Saltwater Depths])

NO. APPEARING: 1-3
ARMOR CLASS: 7
MOVE: 3"//12"
HIT DICE: 8 (+8 tentacles of 8 HP each) <>
% IN LAIR: 70%
TREASURE TYPE: [R]
NO. OF ATTACKS: 7 ~ 12
DAMAGE/ATTACK: 1-4 (x 6)/2-12 (tentacles/beak)
SPECIAL ATTACKS: Constriction
SPECIAL DEFENSES: See below
INTELLIGENCE: Animal
ALIGNMENT: Neutral (evil) (malicious, cunning)
SIZE: L
LEVEL/X.P. VALUE: VI | 550 + 8

SAVES: 10.11.12.12.13

Giant octopi inhabit warm waters of medial to shallow depth.
They lair in wrecked ships && undersea caves.
They hunt at night, snatching and dining on any form of life which is vulnerable.
They will readily attack swimmers or seize small vessels in order to eat the crew.
These creatures are malicious and have a cunning bent.
Several will cooperate to overwhelm a larger ship if opportunity presents itself.
Vessels grabbed by giant octopi will lose way and come to a full stop in 3 turns.

A giant octopus will generally attack with 6 of its 8 tentacles, using 2 to anchor itself.

Constriction: Each tentacle striking does only 1-4 HP of damage, but
unless the member is loosened or severed, it will do twice initial damage
(2-8 points) each melee round thereafter.
    Any creature will be struck only by 1 tentacle at a time unless it is larger than 8' or so tall/long.
There is a 25% chance that a creature struck by a
tentacle will have its upper limbs pinned, and a 25% chance that neither
upper limb will be held. If both limbs are held the creature has no attack
with them, if only 1 is pinned the creature attacks at -3 on "to hit" dice
rolls, and if both are free the creature attacks only at -1. A tentacle grasps
with a grip equal to 18/20, and any creature with a strength equal to or
greater thart 18/20 can grasp the tentacle and negate its constriction; but
this does not free it, and the octopus will immediately seek to drag the
victim to its mouth to eat it.
    To break free, a tentacle must be severed.
Each tentacle takes 8 HP.
This is in addition to the 8 dice the octopus itself has.

The octopus also has a vicious beak which can bite nearby prey for 2-12 HP.

Ink: If 3 or more tentacles are severed it is 90% probable the octopus will retreat,
blowing forth a cloud of black ink 4"high by 6" wide, by 6" long.
The octopus will then run to its lair or hide in some other nearby place,
changing its color to blend with its surroundings.
The ink cloud completely obscures the vision of any creature within it.