ThursdAD&D: The Bearboar
“Everybody died,” the scientist claims. The grizzly boar charged through the grounds and impaled the rich hunters, one after the other, on its sharp tusks. Though it was shot a few times, the creature seemed to have no problem absorbing bullets.
Scientists performing mad experiments in genetic engineering are the equivalent of the insane wizard who created the first owlbear.
Bearboar
Frequency: Uncommon
No. Appearing: 2-6
Armor Class: 6
Move: 12″
Hit Dice: 7+5
% in Lair: Nil
Treasure Type: Nil
No. of Attacks: 3
Damage/Attack: 1-8/1-8/3-18
Special Attacks: Hugs for 2-16
Special Defenses: +1 or better weapon to hit
Magic Resistance: Standard
Intelligence: Semi-
Alignment: Neutral
Size: L (8′ at shoulder)
Psionic Ability: Nil
Attack/Defense Modes: Nil
Level/XP Value: VII/1,000 + 10/hp
The bearboar is the result of some mad experiment by an insane wizard. It combines the form and features of a cave bear and a giant boar. Although omnivorous, the bearboar prefers a diet of meat. It has excellent hearing and smell but rather poor eyesight. If a bearboar scores a paw hit with an 18 or better, it also hugs for 2-16 points of additional damage. Due to its exceptional ferocity and stamina, the bearboar will continue to fight for 1-4 melee rounds after reach 0 to -9 hit points. At -10 or greater damage, it is killed immediately.
If 3 or more bearboars are encountered, there is only a 25% chance that there will be young numbered from 1-4 of the total herd. These young will have 2-6 hit dice, and their attacks inflict less damage:
2 HD: 1-4 (gore only); hit by normal weapons
3 HD: 1-3/1-3/2-5; takes -2 damage from nonmagical weapons
4 HD: 1-4/1-4/2-7; takes -1 damage from nonmagical weapons
5 HD: 2-5/2-5/2-8; takes half-damage from nonmagical weapons
6 HD: 1-6/1-6/3-12; +1 or better weapon to hit