FREQUENCY: Rare
NO. APPEARING: 1-2
ARMOR CLASS: 6
MOVE: //25"
HIT DICE: 1
% IN LAIR: 25%
TREASURE TYPE: Nil
NO. OF ATTACKS: 1 bite
DAMAGE/ATTACK: 1-3
SPECIAL ATTACKS: Killing poison
SPECIAL DEFENSES: Nil
MAGIC RESISTANCE: Standard
INTELLIGENCE: Non-
ALIGNMENT: Neutral
SIZE: S (2-3?long)
PSIONIC ABILITY: Nil
Attack/Defense Modes: Nil
LEVEL/X.P. VALUE: II / 45 + 1/hp

The giant porcupine fish is related to the
puffer fish and the smaller porcupine fish.
The giant porcupine fish is territorial and
is most often found near rocky shelters
and coral reefs. If endangered, this creature
flees to its abode at the earliest
opportunity.

The giant porcupine fish can bite for 1-3
hp damage; when attacked or threatened,
it inflates its body, swelling to a size three
times its normal girth. This action is performed
by retaining water in the creature
?s stomach and using flexible
abdominal sacs. By inflating itself, the fish
causes numerous dagger-length spines to
appear across its body. If an attacker
comes within 5? of these spines, the giant
porcupine fish may approach and attempt
to score a successful hit; if this happens,
the attacker takes 3-12 hp damage from
the spines and must also make a save vs.
poison; failure results in death within 1-4
rounds. In any event, damage is taken,
even if the attacker saves vs. poison.

by Gregg Chamberlain
 
 

Ocean monsters

Monsters

Dragon #116

Dragon magazine

1st Edition AD&D