The carnivorous ape was a classic monster from the 1st edition AD&D Monster Manual. These monsters were originally conceived as a race of fairly intelligent, speaking, man-eating apes, similar to Edgar Rice Burroughs’ mangani. Unfortunately, the original Monster Manual description was so sketchy that few gamers ever made the crucial Tarzan connection, and thus this monster rarely was used as much more than a large mundane gorilla. This perception continued into 2nd edition, where any reference to these monsters having more than mere animal intelligence was lost. The 2nd edition ape then made its way into the 3e’s dire ape and Chainmail’s war ape descriptions.

This 3e conversion of the carnivorous ape harkens back to the original, mangani-like creature. It also uses some obscure information that was only ever detailed in the Monster Card description of this monster.

This massive, ape-like creature has nasty, close-set eyes that gleam hatred from beneath its shaggy brows, while its great canine fangs are bared in a horrid snarl.

Carnivorous Ape CR 3

carnivorous ape

Often N Large monstrous humanoid

Init +1; Senses low-light vision, scent; Listen +7, Spot +7

Languages Ape

AC 14, touch 10, flat-footed 13
(-1 size, +1 Dex, +4 natural)

hp 36 (5 HD)

Fort +3, Ref +5, Will +5

Spd 30 ft. (6 squares), climb 30 ft.

Melee 2 claws +10 (1d4+6) and bite +5 (1d8+3)

Space 10 ft.; Reach 10 ft.

Base Atk +5; Grp +15

Atk Options rend 2d4+12

Abilities Str 23, Dex 13, Con 14, Int 6, Wis 12, Cha 7

Feats Alertness ^B, Toughness (2)

Skills Climb +14, Listen +7, Spot +7

Advancement by character class; Favored Class Barbarian

Level Adjustment +3

Rend (Ex) A carnivorous ape that hits with two claw attacks latches onto the opponent’s body and tears the flesh. This attack automatically deals an extra 2d4+12 points of damage.

Skills Apes have a +8 racial bonus on Climb checks and can always choose to take 10 on Climb checks, even if rushed or threatened.

Carnivorous apes are a larger, stronger, and more aggressive relative of the gorilla.

Strategies and Tactics

When attacking, carnivorous apes rear back on hind legs and flail with their long, massive arms. When an ape defeats a foe it will give a victory bellow that has been known to panic the timid.

Sample Encounters

Carnivorous apes are social creatures and are normally encountered in groups.

Pair (EL 5): Two carnivorous apes roam the jungle floor in search of prey.

Company (EL 6–9): A group of three to eight carnivorous apes have established a lair in the ruins of an ancient human palace.

Carnivorous Ape Lore

Characters with ranks in Knowledge (nature) can learn more about carnivorous apes. When a character makes a successful skill check, the following lore is revealed, including the information from lower DCs.

DC	Result
13	This creature is a carnivorous ape, a strong and cunning monstrous humanoid.
18	Carnivorous apes have their own rudimentary language.

Ecology

These beasts can travel swiftly on the ground or swing through trees. Carnivorous apes are omnivorous, eating fruit and flesh, but prefer human flesh to other foods.

Environment: Carnivorous apes live in warm rain forests, jungles, and plains, often making their lairs in large trees.

Typical Physical Characteristics: An adult male carnivorous ape is over 7 feet tall and weighs up to 625 pounds.

Society

Carnivorous apes have fair intelligence and are very cunning. They have a rudimentary language and have been known to occasionally ally with hobgoblins as their guards.

Typical Treasure

Carnivorous apes have standard treasure for their Challenge Rating, or about 900 gp.

Standard Treasure: 800 cp, 200 sp, 200 gp, 3 tourmalines (100 gp each), and 1 copper scepter (300 gp).

Carnivorous Apes as Characters

Carnivorous ape characters possess the following racial traits.

+12 Strength, +2 Dexterity, +4 Constitution, -4 Intelligence (minimum 3), +2 Wisdom, -4 Charisma.
Large size: -1 penalty to Armor Class, -1 penalty on attack rolls, -4 penalty on Hide checks, +4 bonus on grapple checks, lifting and carrying limits double those of Medium characters.
Space/Reach: 10 feet/10 feet.
A carnivorous ape’s base land speed is 30 feet.
Low-light vision.
Racial Hit Dice: A carnivorous ape begins with five levels of monstrous humanoid, which provide 5d8 Hit Dice, a base attack bonus of +5, and base saving throw bonuses of Fort +1, Ref +4, and Will +4.
Racial Skills: A carnivorous ape’s monstrous humanoid levels give it skill points equal to 8 x (2 + Int modifier, minimum 1). Its class skills are Climb, Listen, and Spot. Apes have a +8 racial bonus on Climb checks and can always choose to take 10 on Climb checks, even if rushed or threatened.
Racial Feats: A carnivorous ape’s monstrous humanoid levels give it two feats. It also gains Alertness as a bonus feat.
Weapon Proficiency: A carnivorous ape is proficient with all simple weapons.
+4 natural armor bonus.
Natural Weapons: 2 claws (1d4) and 1 bite (1d8).
Special Attacks (see above): Rend.
Special Qualities (see above): Scent.
Automatic Languages: Ape. Bonus Languages: Goblin.
Favored Class: Barbarian.
Level adjustment: +3.

Advanced Carnivorous Apes

The following is an example of a carnivorous ape advanced by barbarian levels. The carnivorous ape had the following ability scores before racial adjustments, equipment bonuses, and Hit Dice ability score increases: Str 14, Dex 8, Con 15, Int 10, Wis 12, Cha 13.

Ape Chieftain CR 13

Male carnivorous ape barbarian 10

N Large monstrous humanoid

Init +4; Senses low-light vision, scent; Listen +10, Spot +8

Languages Ape

AC 18, touch 11, flat-footed 18; improved uncanny dodge or
raging AC 16, touch 9, flat-footed 16

hp 181 (15 HD); DR 2/- or
raging hp 211

Fort +17, Ref +10, Will +12 or
raging Fort +18, Will +14

Spd 40 ft. (6 squares), climb 30 ft.

Melee* 2 claws +19 (1d6+13/19–20) and bite +14 (2d6+8) or
raging 2 claws +21 (1d6+15/19–20) and bite +16 (2d6+9)

Space 10 ft.; Reach 10 ft.

Base Atk +15; Grp +28

Atk Options Cleave; rage 3/day, rend 2d6+18 or
raging rend 2d6+22

Combat Gear potion of cure serious wounds

* 4-point Power Attack

Abilities Str 28, Dex 10, Con 22, Int 6, Wis 14, Cha 10 or
raging Str 32, Con 26

SQ fast movement, trap sense +3

Feats Alertness ^B, Cleave, Improved Critical (claws), Improved Initiative, Improved Natural Attack (bite), Improved Natural Attack (claws), Power Attack

Skills Climb +19, Intimidate +12, Listen +10, Spot +8, Survival +10, or
raging Climb +21

Possessions combat gear, bracers of armor +3, ring of protection +2, cloak of resistance +3, gauntlets of ogre power +2, amulet of health +2

Rage (Ex) An ape chieftain can fly into a rage 3 times per day for 11 rounds.

Carnivorous Ape Monster Class

The following table details carnivorous apes as a monster class, in the manner of Savage Species. Carnivorous apes are monstrous humanoids with starting ability adjustments of +2 Str, +2 Dex, -4 Int, -4 Cha. Carnivorous apes have a base land speed of 30 ft., a climb speed of 30 ft., and low-light vision. Their class skills are Climb, Listen, and Spot.

The Carnivorous Ape
Level	Hit Dice	Base Attack Bonus	Fort Save	Ref Save	Will Save	Skill Points	CR	Special
1st	1d8	+1	+0	+2	+2	(2 + Int mod) x 4	1/2	+2 natural armor, 2 claws 1d4, feat
2nd	1d8	+1	+0	+2	+2	-	1/2	+2 Str, scent 10 ft.
3rd	2d8	+2	+0	+3	+3	2 + Int mod	1	+2 Dex, Alertness, bite 1d4
4th	3d8	+3	+1	+3	+3	2 + Int mod	1	+2 Str, +3 natural armor
5th	3d8	+3	+1	+3	+3	-	2	+2 Con, bite 1d6, feat, scent 20 ft.
6th	4d8	+4	+1	+4	+4	2 + Int mod	2	+2 Wis, +4 natural armor
7th	5d8	+5	+1	+4	+4	2 + Int mod	3	+2 Str, -2 Dex, bite 1d8, Large size, reach 10 ft.
8th	5d8	+5	+1	+4	+4	-	3	+2 Str, rend, scent 30 ft.