The rakasta were a classic race of cat-men from the old D&D basic set. They originally appeared in module X1, The Isle of Dread and reappeared later in X2, Castle Amber. The rakasta eventually became an important part of the Mystara setting.

Rakasta CR 1

Often N Medium monstrous humanoid

Init +2; Senses darkvision 60 ft.; Listen +7, Spot +4

Languages Common

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

hp 11 (2 HD)

Fort +1, Ref +5, Will +2

Spd 30 ft. (6 squares)

Melee 2 war claws +2 (1d4/19-20) and bite -3 (1d4) or
2 claws +2 (1d3) and bite -3 (1d4) or
scimitar +2 (1d6) and bite -3 (1d4)

Space 5 ft; Reach 5 ft

Base Atk +2; Grp +2

Special Atk improved grab, pounce, rake

Abilities Str 11, Dex 15, Con 13, Int 10, Wis 8, Cha 10

SQ weapon familiarity (war claws)

Feats Alertness, Blind Fight ^b

Skills Balance +8, Listen +7, Spot +4, Tumble +8

Environment any non-arctic

Organization scouts (1-2), band (2-12), or settlement (3-30)

Treasure standard

Advancement by character class; Favored Class fighter

Level Adjustment +2

Improved Grab (Ex) To use this ability, a rakasta must hit with both claw attacks. It can then attempt to start a grapple as a free action without provoking an attack of opportunity. If it wins the grapple check, it establishes a hold and can rake.

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

Rake (Ex) Attack bonus +2 melee, damage 1d3.

Skills Rakasta have a +4 racial bonus on Balance, Listen, and Tumble checks. The skill modifiers given in the statistics block include a -1 armor check penalty for wearing leather armor.

The rakasta are a race of nomadic, catlike humanoids. They walk erect, much like humans, but are covered with soft, tawny fur and have feline heads and features.

Combat

The rakasta fight with special metal war claws that fit over their natural claws. Without these special claws,the rakasta claw attacks do only 1d3 points of damage each. The rakasta can use normal weapons such as scimitars, but generally disdain them, preferring to use their "natural" weapons (the war claws). An unarmed rakasta instinctively attacks with claws and teeth when cornered. Any rakasta who hits with both claws in the same round of combat can hang on and bring the rear claws to bear; rakasta nomads make special sandals to leave their rear claws exposed for this type of attack. Because most rakastas follow a detailed code of honor, few of them ever use missile weapons, especially against intelligent opponents.

War Claws: These exotic weapons favored by the rakasta are made of metal and fit over their natural claws. A set of two war claws costs 120 gp and weighs 2 pounds. War claws do 1d4 points of piercing damage and have a critical threat range of 19-20/x2. An opponent cannot use a disarm action to disarm someone wearing war claws. Creatures that have a natural claw attack may use war claws as if they were natural weapons; for other creatures, an attack with war claws is considered to be an armed attack.

RAKASTAS AS CHARACTERS

Rakasta characters possess the following racial traits.

+4 Dexterity, +2 Constitution, -2 Wisdom.
Medium size.
A rakasta's base land speed is 30 feet.
Darkvision 60 ft.
Racial Hit Dice: A rakasta begins with two levels of monstrous humanoid, which provide 2d8 Hit Dice, a base attack bonus of +2, and base saving throw bonuses of Fort +0, Ref +3, and Will +3.
Racial Skills: A rakasta's monstrous humanoid levels give it skill points equal to 5 x (2 + Int modifier, minimum 1). Its class skills are Balance, Listen, Spot, and Tumble. Rakasta have a +4 racial bonus on Balance, Listen, and Tumble checks.
Racial Feats: A rakasta's monstrous humanoid levels give it one feat. It gains Blind-Fight as a bonus feat
Weapon and Armor Proficiency: A rakasta is automatically proficient with simple weapons and shields.
Weapon Familiarity: Rakasta treat war claws as martial weapons, rather than exotic weapons.
Natural Weapons: 2 claws (1d3) and bite (1d4).
Special Attacks (See above): Improved grab, pounce, rake.
Automatic Languages: Common.
Favored Class: Fighter.
Level adjustment: +1.

RAKASTA MONSTER CLASS

The following table details rakasta as a monster class, in the manner of Savage Species. Rakasta are monstrous humanoids with starting ability adjustments of +2 Dex, -2 Wis. Rakasta have a base land speed of 30 ft., and Darkvision 60 ft. Their class skills are Balance, Listen, Spot, and Tumble.

The Rakasta
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 claws 1d3, feat, +2 racial bonus on Balance, Listen, and Tumble
2nd	1d8	+1	+0	+2	+2	-	1/2	+2 Con, bite 1d4, pounce
3rd	2d8	+2	+0	+3	+3	2 + Int mod	1	Blind Fight, improved grab, weapon familiarity (war claws)
4th	2d8	+2	+0	+3	+3	-	1	+2 Dex, rake, +4 racial bonus on Balance, Listen, and Tumble