Mantis, Blood

Medium beast, unaligned

Armor Class 14 (natural armor)
Hit Points 45 (6d8 + 18)
Speed 20 ft., climb 20 ft., fly 60 ft.

STR	DEX	CON	INT	WIS	CHA
14 (+2)	15 (+2)	16 (+3)	3 (-4)	13 (+1)	1 (-5)

Skills Athletics +4, Perception +3, Stealth +4
Senses darkvision 60 ft., passive Perception 13
Languages –
Challenge 1 (200 XP)

SPECIAL TRAITS

• Foliage Camouflage. The blood mantis has advantage on Dexterity (Stealth) checks made to hide among plants or other greenery.
• Gnaw. If the blood mantis begins its turn with a creature grappled, as a bonus action it can make a bite attack against that creature with advantage on the attack roll.

ACTIONS

• Claws. Melee Weapon Attack: +4 to hit, reach 5 ft., one target. Hit: 7 (2d4 + 2) slashing damage, and if the target is Small or smaller the blood mantis can use a bonus action to make a Strength (Athletics) check to grapple the target. Bite. Melee Weapon Attack: +4 to hit, reach 5 ft., one target. Hit: 5 (1d6 + 2) piercing damage.
• Pounce (Recharge 5-6). The blood mantis moves up to its speed and makes two claw attacks. It cannot use this ability while it is grappling a creature.

ABOUT

Cousin to the simple hunting insects that devour pests and sometimes are kept as pets, these green hunters’ deadly front limbs fold under its head as it lies in wait for food. Giant mantises are feared along caravan tracks that pass through dense woodlands, as despite their size they are masters of hiding in dense undergrowth, almost unnaturally patient as they lie in wait and striking with unsettling speed as unsuspecting meals wander by.