Starfinder: Pterodactyl - Augmented
With so many government forces, mercenaries and private contractors using drones, the Vesk decided to make use of the reptilian avian life forms of their native world as a counter.
These creatures have a wingspan of approximately 25 feet, and a tail that can reach out up to 15 feet behind it. The actual body of the reptile is only approximately 6-8 feet in length, and the creature weighs around 200 pounds. The iconic fin located on the back of the head has been replaced with a turret, which houses a tactical rail gun. The creature does not even need to concentrate to use the weapon, as it has its own programming, and can act independently of the Pterodactyl. This makes it all but impossible to flank the creature, and it can even fire upon targets closing in from behind.
These are often used to harass enemy troops from the air, using their speed and mobility to avoid taking damage. They are quite difficult to hit at the best of times as a result. One of the creature’s favorite tactics is to dive at a target on the ground, using its superior speed to home in on the target. The claws it possesses have been reinforced with metal, and as such can inflict terrible wounds during such an attack.
It does not like to fight on the ground, and will do anything in its power to avoid such conflict, as it is at a disadvantage. It can still use its claws and bite, and the turret will protect it, but it is slow and clumsy and a far easier target.
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.