Sphinx, Criosphinx

Large Magical Beast — CR 7

Monster Manual v.3.5 (MM), p. 233Updated 3.5

Sphinx, Criosphinx is a D&D 3.5 monster from MM, p. 233. CR 7, HD 10d10+30 (85 hp).

Hit Dice
10d10+30 (85 hp)
Initiative
+0
Speed
Land 30 ft
Armor Class
20, touch 9, flat-footed 20
Base Attack / Grapple
+10/+20
Attack
Core +15 melee (2d6+6)
Full Attack
Core +15 melee (2d6+6) and 2 claws +10 melee (1d6+3)
STR
23
DEX
10
CON
17
INT
10
WIS
11
CHA
11
Fort / Ref / Will
+10 / +7 / +3
Challenge Rating
7
Alignment
Always Neutral
Organization
Solitary
Treasure
Standard
Environment
Deserts
Level Adjustment
+3

Special Abilities

Feats

This creature is bigger than a horse and has a tawny lion body, great falcon wings, and a ram’s head.

Description

Sphinxes are enigmatic creatures with great, feathery wings and leonine bodies. All sphinxes are territorial, but the more intelligent ones can differentiate between deliberate intrusion and temporary or inadvertent trespass.

A typical sphinx is about 10 feet long and weighs about 800 pounds.

Sphinxes speak Sphinx, Common, and Draconic.

These sphinxes are always male. Neither good nor evil, they lack the intelligence of the androsphinx.

Criosphinxes constantly seek gynosphinxes, but if they cannot find one, they pursue wealth above all else. The best deal an adventurer can hope to strike with a criosphinx is safe passage in exchange for all of his or her treasure.

Combat

Most sphinxes fight on the ground, using their wings to help them pounce much as lions do. If outnumbered by earthbound creatures, a sphinx takes wing and attacks on the fly.

Criosphinxes attack with their claws, as do their kin, but they can also butt with their horns. They don’t cast spells and employ only the most simple battle tactics.

Pounce (Ex): If a criosphinx charges a foe, it can make a full attack, including two rake attacks.

Rake (Ex): Attack bonus +15 melee, damage 1d6+3. A criosphinx that pounces onto a creature can make two rake attacks with its hind legs.