View source for Battlebriar (4e Monster)

{{Author
|author_name=Dracomortis
|date_created=February 10, 2009
|status=Complete
}}

== Saddlespike Battlebriar ==

[[Image:Battlebriar.jpg|thumb|Few would think to ride a battlebriar, but they can manipulate the thorns on their bodies to leave an empty "saddle". Image by Leslie Minnis.]]

Purposefully grown by powerful spellcasters to serve as mounts in combat, saddlespike battlebriars are extremely destructive creatures capable of routing small formations of enemy troops. Other than the threat of catching his clothing on one of the creature's many dangerous thorns, a rider has little to worry about, as battlebriars are extremely self-sufficient and able to aptly defend themselves even if unattended. Though not as powerful as some varieties of battlebriars, they more than make up for that fact by possessing increased mobility and by being able to offer their riders a fair degree of protection.

{{4e Creature Top
|name=Saddlespike Battlebriar
|level=17
|role=Solider
|size=Large
|origin=natural
|type=animate
|keywords=mount, plant
|xp=1,600
|initiative=+12
|senses=[[4e Index (4e Other)#Perception|Perception]] +16
|aura1=Flensing Thorns
|aurarange1=2
|auraeffect1=any enemy that enters or begins its turn in the aura takes 5 points of damage.
|hp=166
|bloodied=83
|ac=33
|fortitude=30
|reflex=26
|will=27
|speed=8
}}
{{4e Creature Power
|type={{BM}}
|name=Claw
|action=standard
|recharge=at-will
|effect=Reach 2; +24 vs. AC; 2d8 + 7 damage, and the target is [[4e Index (4e Other)#Marked|marked]] until the end of the saddlespike battlebriar’s next turn.
}}
{{4e Creature Power
|type={{C}}
|name=Death Throes
|action=when reduced to 0 hit points
|effect=[[4e Index (4e Other)#close attack|Close]] [[4e Index (4e Other)#burst|burst]] 3; +22 vs. Reflex; enemies in the area take 5 points of damage.
}}
{{4e Creature Power
|name=Entwining Briars
|action=minor; while mounted by a friendly rider of 17th level or higher
|recharge=encounter
|keywords=Mount
|effect=A saddlespike battlebriar’s rider is covered in thorny, protective vines; Until the end of the rider’s next turn, all melee attacks made against the rider deal 15 points of damage to the attacker.
}}
{{4e Creature Bottom
|alignment=[[4e Index (4e Other)#alignment|Unaligned]]
|languages=—
|skills=—
|strength=24
|strbonus=+15
|dexterity=14
|dexbonus=+10
|wisdom=16
|wisbonus=+11
|constitution=22
|conbonus=+14
|intelligence=3
|intbonus=+4
|charisma=13
|chabonus=+9
|capacity=240 lb. (normal); 480 lb. (heavy); 1,200 lb. (push/drag)
|price=65,000 gp
}}

==== Saddlespike Battlebriar Tactics ====

A saddlespike battlebriar tries to get close to as many targets as possible to expose them to its ''flensing thorns'' aura. If mounted, it uses its ''entwining briars'' ability only on command.

=== Saddlespike Battlebriar Lore ===

A character knows the following information with a successful [[4e Index (4e Other)#Nature skill|Nature]] check.

'''DC 20:''' Saddlespike battlebriars are used as both mounts and living siege engines by those powerful enough to control them. Those left uncommanded are dangerous adversaries indeed.

'''DC 25:''' Battlebriars don't feed like an animal might. They can survive like plants do, and thus make excellent eternal guardians.

== Encounter Groups ==

'''Level 16 Encounter (XP 7,600) — Dryad Grove'''

* 2 [[4e Index (4e Other)#Dryad|briar witch dryads]] (level 13 elite controller, ''Monster Manual'' pg. 96)
* 1 [[Battlebriar (4e Monster)#Saddlespike Battlebriar|saddlespike battlebriar]] (level 17 soldier)
* 1 [[4e Index (4e Other)#Treant|treant]] (level 16 elite controller, ''Monster Manual'' pg. 251)


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{{4e Monsters Breadcrumb}}

[[Category:4e]]
[[Category:User]]
[[Category:Monster]]
Author	Dracomortis +
Identifier	4e Monster +
Rating	Undiscussed +
Title	Battlebriar +