Starfinder: Ass Blaster
Ass Blaster Combatant CR 6 XP 2,400
Neutral medium aberration (Earth)
Init +9; Senses Blindsense (Vibration) 60 ft. Blindsense (thermal) 200 ft.; Perception +13
Defense HP 90
EAC: 18; KAC: 20
Fort: +8; Ref: +8; Will: +7
Defensive Abilities: DR 6 against all physical attacks; Immunities: Any earth-based attacks, fire
Weakness: Explosive vulnerability
Offense
Speed: 30 ft.; 240 (average) fly
Melee Bite +16 (1d10+9 P), or Tongue strike +16 (1d6+9 P) or stomp +16 (1d8+9 B Crit knockdown)
Space: 5 ft., Reach: 10 ft. (tongue only)
Offensive Abilities Fly-by +16 (2d4+9) launch, leaping attack, run down
Statistics
Str +3; Dex +5; Con +2; Int -3; Wis +0; Cha +0
Skills Acrobatics +18, athletics +13, survival +13
Feats: Improved initiative
Other Abilities: Call to Dinner
Languages: None
Ecology
Environment Plains, desert, hills
Organization Small packs (1d4) or medium packs (2d6)
Special Abilities
Explosive Vulnerability (Ex): As tough as these creatures are, they are vulnerable to explosive attacks. They take an additional 50% damage (round to nearest) from any explosive-type weapon. Furthermore, they must make a Will save (DC 10+ damage inflicted) or be forced to flee at their maximum speed for 1d6 rounds.
Fly-by (Ex): The creature is able to use its strong wing-like structures to hit opponents in combat. After a successful strike, the target must make a Reflex save (DC 14) or lose 5 feet of altitude per point of damage inflicted. This could cause the target to crash into the ground, if it was close to the surface when the attack happened. If the target was already on the surface, if the save fails, the target is knocked prone.
Launch (Ex): In order to take flight, the creature must leap from a structure or cliff that is at least 10 feet in height. Otherwise it has to mix chemicals in its rear, which requires a full round action, before it can launch itself into the air. It can also use this as an attack. The jet of flame it uses to launch into the air is a 15 ft. cone, and anyone directly behind the creature must immediately make a Ref save (DC 14) or suffer 2d8+6 points of thermal damage. If the save is successful, half damage is sustained. At launch, the creature has to move its maximum flight speed.
Leaping attack (Ex): As a full round action, the creature can move up to twice its maximum movement speed and leap straight up in the air. The creature can leap up to 30 feet by initiating this attack, as long as it has had at least 30 feet travel distance. It can use its bite at the end of the charge, but not its snake-like tongue.
Run Down (Ex): Instead of leaping, the creature can instead choose to rush at a target. This acts as a standard charge attack, and if the attack hits, the creature deals 2d4+7 B damage and the target must make a Reflex save (DC 14) or be knocked prone.
The Ass Blaster is the third and final stage of the complex Graboid lifecycle. The second stage of this creature’s life span, the Shriekers, goes through a metamorphosis into this final stage. Unlike the Graboids, the final stage still closely resembles the Shrieker.
The metamorphosis beings when the Shrieker sheds its skin. The newly emerged third stage takes on a darker hue of coloration, and they grow about 50% larger than the Shrieker. They are tougher, although the flesh appears to be softer than that of the Shrieker, and possess a pair of wings and a slightly larger rear.
These creatures are capable of gliding by the use of reddish pink wing-like structures that protrude from the sides of their torso. These wings are constructed of semi-transparent skin, which is supported by rigid bones. A dorsal sail extends down the spine along the creatures back to the rear.
Although they are incapable of achieving flight on their own, they have two methods of getting airborne. First, they can simply jump off high structures, ledges and the like and ride the thermals.
The second method, a very unique method, is the one which gave them their name. They have two glands in their rear. Each holds a binary chemical. This chemical is harmless separate, but when they combine, the chemical becomes highly explosive. The Ass Blaster is able to mix the two chemicals by wiggling their rear ends vigorously. Anyone having witnessed an Ass Blaster taking flight will immediately know what is about to happen.
The explosive energy is channeled through their rears and they are launched into the air. The creatures can stay aloft for hours at a time, as long as there are sufficient air currents to glide upon.
In combat, these creatures have several different methods of attack available to them. Like Shriekers and Graboids, the Ass Blasters have a powerful bite. Like the Shriekers, they can also use their powerful legs in combat to slash and rend, or simply stomp a target into the ground. While in flight, the Ass Blaster can opt to do a literal fly by, slashing any target with its wings, causing painful and deep gashes.
All Ass Blasters are androgynous, being both male and female. They don't require one another for mating, as each Ass Blaster will produce 1d6 eggs after gorging itself. The Ass Blaster will lay the eggs in sandy soil and will leave them, literally forgetting about its offspring as it continues to hunt and feed.
Unfortunately, the Ass Blasters are constantly hungry, as the chemicals they use to achieve flight require a great deal of food to be consumed. As such, handful of the creatures can produce enough eggs to pose a significant danger to even well-established communities. When the eggs hatch, the cycle begins anew with a fresh batch of ravenous Graboids on the hunt for fresh meat.
Chris Van Deelen is the creator and contributor to over half of the Wisdom from the Wastelands series, contributor to the Swords of Kos: Hekaton anthology. He also wrote Creatures of the Tropical Wastelands, and 100 Oddities found in a Car. As prolific as he is, Chris Van Deelen continues to write and produce material which will be in publication soon. Not only is he a prolific content creator, he also has a wide selection of fiction and stories! If you like his work, please follow his personal author page on Facebook and on Twitter to keep up with his latest news and game content.