Salamander, Average

Medium Outsider (Extraplanar, Fire) — CR 6

Monster Manual v.3.5 (MM), p. 218Updated 3.5

Salamander, Average is a D&D 3.5 monster from MM, p. 218. CR 6, HD 9d8+18.

Hit Dice
9d8+18
Initiative
+1
Speed
Land 20 ft
Armor Class
18, touch 11, flat-footed 17
Base Attack / Grapple
+9/+11
Attack
Spear +11 melee (1d8+3/×3 plus 1d6 fire)
Full Attack
Spear +11/+6 melee (1d8+3/×3 plus 1d6 fire) and tail slap +9 melee (2d6+1 plus 1d6 fire)
STR
14
DEX
13
CON
14
INT
14
WIS
15
CHA
13
Fort / Ref / Will
+8 / +7 / +8
Challenge Rating
6
Alignment
Usually Evil
Organization
Solitary, pair, or cluster (3−5)
Treasure
Standard (nonflammables only)
Environment
Elemental Plane of Fire
Level Adjustment
+5

Special Abilities

ConstrictHeatImproved GrabDamage ReductionDarkvisionImmunity to FireVulnerability to Cold

Feats

This being has a muscular humanoid upper body with a hawkish face. Its body is serpentine from the waist down, and is covered in red and black scales. Flame-shaped spines sprout from the creature’s spine, arms, and head.

Description

The Elemental Plane of Fire is home to many strange creatures, including the fearsome legions of the salamanders. These serpentine beings dwell in metal cities glowing with supernatural heat.

Salamanders are selfish and cruel, and they enjoy tormenting others. They are rarely encountered without their heated metal spears, but sometimes wield other weapons.

When summoned to the Material Plane, salamanders often assist forge workers and smiths. Their ability to work metal while it’s still in the fire makes them some of the best metalsmiths known anywhere.

Salamanders reproduce asexually, each producing a single larva every ten years and incubating the young in fire pits until they reach maturity. Flamebrothers and average salamanders are actually different species, while nobles rise from the ranks of the average.

Salamanders speak Ignan. Some average salamanders and all nobles also speak Common.

Combat

Salamanders use metal spears heated red-hot by their own furnacelike bodies. Bloodthirsty and sadistic, they are quick to attack. They prefer to take on those who appear strongest first, saving weaker enemies for slower, agonizing treatment later.

If a salamander has damage reduction, its natural weapons are treated as magic weapons for the purpose of overcoming damage reduction.

Constrict (Ex): A salamander deals automatic tail slap damage (including fire damage) with a successful grapple check. A noble salamander can constrict multiple creatures simultaneously, provided they are all at least two sizes smaller than it.

Heat (Ex): A salamander generates so much heat that its mere touch deals additional fire damage. Salamanders’ metallic weapons also conduct this heat.

Improved Grab (Ex): To use this ability, a salamander must hit a creature of up to one size larger than itself with its tail slap attack. It can then attempt to start a grapple as a free action without provoking an attack of opportunity. If it wins the grapple check, it establishes a hold and can constrict.

Skills: Salamanders have a +4 racial bonus on Craft (blacksmithing) checks.

Feats: Salamanders have the Multiattack feat even though they do not have the requisite three natural weapons.