Ape, Dire

Sharp teeth fill this large, feral ape's mouth, and its long, muscular arms stretch to the ground, ending in wickedly curved claws.

Ape, Dire (CR 3)

Large Animal
Alignment: Neutral
Initiative: +2
Senses: Low-Light Vision, Scent; Perception +8

Speed: 30 feet, Climb 30 feet
Space: 10 feet

Defense

Armor Class: 15, touch 11, flat-footed 13 (+2 Dex, +4 natural, -1 size)
Hit Points: 30 (4d8+12)
Saving Throws: Fort +7, Ref +6, Will +4

Offense

Melee: bite +6 (1d6+4), 2 claws +6 (1d4+4)
Reach: 10 feet

Special Attacks: Rend (2 claws, 1d4+6)

Statistics

Str	Dex	Con	Int	Wis	Cha
19 (+4)	15 (+2)	16 (+3)	2 (-4)	12 (+1)	7 (-2)

Base Attack Bonus: +3
CMB +8
CMD 20

Feats: Iron Will, Skill Focus (Perception)

Skills: Acrobatics +6, Climb +16, Perception +8, Stealth +2

Languages:

Special Abilities

NONE

Ecology

Environment: Warm Forests
Organization: solitary, pair, or troop (3-6)
Treasure: incidental


Known to many scholars as the gigantopithecus, the dire ape is a much more dangerous and bestial creature than the relatively peaceful gorilla. An adult male dire ape stands 9 feet tall and weighs 1,200 pounds.

The dire ape attacks anything that intrudes on its territory, including other dire apes not of its troop, and does not break off the attack until the trespasser is dead or runs off. A dire ape makes no displays of toughness or warnings before it attacks- it simply leaps into action with little or no provocation, tearing at its opponents with claws and teeth.

If a dire ape is stymied by a heavily armored foe, it attempts to grapple its foe, pin it to the ground, and rend it.