Dire Reindeer

 

Dire Reindeer

NO. ENCOUNTERED: 1–8
SIZE: Large
HD: 4d10+8 (30 hp)
MOVE: 50 ft.
AC: 15
ATTACKS: Gore +4 (2d8+4); Hooves +4 (2d6+4, prone targets only)
SPECIAL: Sure-Footed, Keen Smell, Powerful Charge
SAVES: P
INT: Animal
ALIGNMENT: Neutral
TYPE: Beast
TREASURE: Nil
XP: 100 + 4/hp

Sure-Footed

Dire reindeer are remarkably stable even on snow, ice, loose stone, and difficult terrain.

They receive a +4 bonus on Strength or Dexterity saves and checks made to resist being knocked prone, pushed, tripped, or otherwise forcibly moved from their footing.

Natural snow and ice do not reduce their normal movement.

I like adding the snow/ice clause because it gives the creature a little more actual reindeer identity without turning it supernatural.

Keen Smell

A dire reindeer possesses an exceptionally acute sense of smell.

It gains a +4 bonus on Wisdom checks involving scent, including detecting nearby creatures, predators, blood, smoke, or food.

Strong odors, contrary winds, or similar conditions may modify the check normally.

Powerful Charge

If a dire reindeer moves at least 20 feet in a straight line before making a Gore attack, the attack inflicts an additional 2d6 points of damage.

A Large or smaller creature struck by the charge must also make a Strength save, CL 4, or be knocked prone.

If the victim is knocked prone, the dire reindeer may immediately make a Hooves attack against that creature.

This is where I would preserve almost the entire identity of the original ability. C&C already embraces very dangerous charge mechanics—the Triceratops, for example, triples all three horn attacks when charging. So 2d8+4 + 2d6, followed conditionally by the hooves, is entirely reasonable for a 4 HD creature.

Gore

Attack: +4
Damage: 2d8+4
Range: Melee

The dire reindeer lowers its enormous rack of antlers and drives them into an opponent.

Hooves

Attack: +4
Damage: 2d6+4
Range: Melee

Notes 

•  The guardians of the North Pole. While they may not be agile to pull the great sleigh of the gift giver himself, the Dire Reindeer are fearsome sight to any who would disturb the area. These massive beasts serve as mount and guardian for the region. Sometimes bearing one or two elves on their back, or ramming their great antlers into foes.
•  With their charge attack, they can knock targets prone and follow up with a heavy hoof kick that can cave mortals bodies in. Their mightiest weapons are their antlers, whose enchanted hardness makes them as sharp as spears back by muscle.
• Those Dire Reindeer that serve the Workshop are often decorated with bells. Enemies will dread hearing such a clatter of bells signaling the arrival of a massive, ornery reindeer.