FREQUENCY: Very rare ([Cold Wilderness Forest])
FREQUENCY: Very rare ([Temperate Wilderness Forest])
FREQUENCY: Very rare ([Dungeon Level III])
NO. APPEARING: 5-20
ARMOR CLASS: 6
MOVE: 9"
HIT DICE: 3+4
% IN LAIR: 25%
TREASURE TYPE: [G]
NO. OF ATTACKS: 1-6
DAMAGE/ATTACK: 1-2
SPECIAL ATTACKS: Surprise
SPECIAL DEFENSES: [SB]
MAGIC RESISTANCE: Sub-standard  - see below
INTELLIGENCE: Low
ALIGNMENT: Neutral
SIZE: M
LEVEL/X.P. VALUE: III | 85 + 3

This wood-dwelling, intelligent form of plant life looks like a zombie but <image>
in fact is neither animal nor of the undead class. Embedded in
its 'flesh' all over its body are masses of small sharp needles. like pine
needles. Each round it may 'fire' 1-6 of these needles, each of which
inflicts 1-2 hit points of damage on a victim. UP to a range of 20'
with the accuracy of a short-range arrow. For practical purposes, its
supply of needles is infinite.

The creature is particularly vulnerable to magic. Attacks on it by
magical means will inflict triple normal damage on it, though it has a
saving throw as normal. Other spells of a non-offensive nature (such as
charm plants) will be triply effective against it, as appropriate. Of
course, the fact that it is a plant makes it immune to certain spells.

Needlemen appear to hate elves and will attack them on sight.

When amidst conifers or heavy undergrowth, needlemen are nearly
(75%) undetectable and will achieve surprise 75% of the time. It is
very rare to encounter the creature outside this sort of natural
habitat.
 

by Trevor Graver