Rat, Dire

This filthy rat is the size of a small dog. It has a coat of coarse fur, a long and scabby tail, and two glittering eyes.

Dire Rat CR 1/3

XP 135

N Small animal

Init +3; Senses low-light vision, scent; Perception +4

Defense

AC 14, touch 14, flat-footed 11 (+3 Dex, +1 size)

hp 5 (1d8+1)

Fort +3, Ref +5, Will +1

Offense

Speed 40 ft., climb 20 ft., swim 20 ft.

Melee bite +1 (1d4 plus disease)

Special Attacks disease

Statistics

Str 10, Dex 17, Con 13, Int 2, Wis 13, Cha 4

Base Atk +0; CMB –1; CMD 12 (16 vs. trip)

Feats Skill Focus (Perception)

Skills Climb +11, Perception +4, Stealth +11, Swim +11; Racial Modifiers uses Dex to modify Climb and Swim

Ecology

Environment any urban

Organization solitary or pack (2–20)

Treasure none

Special Abilities

Disease (Ex) Filth fever: Bite—injury; save Fort DC 11; onset 1d3 days; frequency 1/day; effect 1d3 Dex damage and 1d3 Con damage; cure 2 consecutive saves. The save DC is Constitution-based.

Dire rats grow up to 2 feet long and weigh up to 25 pounds. They are common menaces in dungeons and city sewers alike.

Dire Rat Companions

Starting Statistics: Size Small; Speed 40 ft., climb 20 ft., swim 20 ft.; Attack bite (1d4); Ability Scores Str 10, Dex 17, Con 12, Int 2, Wis 12, Cha 4; Special Qualities low-light vision, scent.

4th-Level Advancement: Attack bite (1d4 plus disease); Ability Scores Str +2, Con +2.

Rat Swarm

A squirming, roiling mass of squeaking rats draws closer, teeth flashing and claws scratching everything in its path.

Rat Swarm CR 2

XP 600

N Tiny animal (swarm)

Init +6; Senses low-light vision, scent; Perception +8

Defense

AC 14, touch 14, flat-footed 12 (+2 Dex, +2 size)

hp 16 (3d8+3)

Fort +4, Ref +5, Will +2

Defensive Abilities swarm traits

Offense

Speed 15 ft., climb 15 ft., swim 15 ft.

Melee swarm (1d6 plus disease)

Space 10 ft.; Reach 0 ft.

Special Attacks disease, distraction (DC 12)

Statistics

Str 2, Dex 15, Con 13, Int 2, Wis 13, Cha 2

Base Atk +2; CMB —; CMD

Feats Improved Initiative, Skill Focus (Perception)

Skills Acrobatics +6, Climb +10, Perception +8, Stealth +14, Swim +10; Racial Modifiers uses Dex to modify Climb and Swim

Ecology

Environment any

Organization solitary, pack (2–5 swarms), or infestation (6–12 swarms)

Treasure none

Special Abilities

Disease (Ex) Filth fever: Swarm—injury; save Fort DC 12; onset 1d3 days; frequency 1/day; effect 1d3 Dex damage and 1d3 Con damage; cure 2 consecutive saves. The save DC is Constitution-based.

A rat swarm typically consists of a biting, roiling mass of hundreds of disease-ridden rats driven to uncharacteristic heights of aggression by fantastic and overwhelming hunger. In such numbers, they become voracious hunters, capable of killing a full-grown human with hundreds of bites. Rat swarms are often found in the sewers of large human settlements.

Rat swarms surround and attack any warm-blooded prey in their path.