#Ape vs. Monster

[rustybottlecap]

So back in 2021 The Asylum released Ape vs. Monster, their “response” to Godzilla vs. Kong. Say what you will about that movie, but I was AMAZED by the design of the titular monster, Gila, and was about to praise the hell out of them for it:

...but then it turned out they just bought the model from TurboSquid and so can you too (link in the source), it’s called “Dino Beast”:

So now they released a sequel to their movie, Ape vs. Mecha Ape, and the design of the titular Mecha Ape is also amazing. Suspiciously so.

I couldn’t find the model on TurboSquid, but I thought it looked familiar.

Searching for figures online where I live it’s very common to come across bootlegs, now more than ever with 3D printing technology, some people may get their hands on the file of a model someone else did and either sell the 3d printed figure or the file itself, most likely without the original artist’s knowledge. Add to that the popularity of Godzilla vs. Kong, wich featured a Mechagodzilla, and you come across stuff like this:

Meet “Mecha King Kong”, as online sellers call it. I assume they won’t call it “Mechanikong” because if you know who that is you probably will know this isn’t an official thing. I can’t find who the original artist is.

Now the bodies look completely different, but the head...

There are some differences, like the eyeballs, the forehead, the jaw, and the lenght of the “airvents”. But many of the details are so similar I simply can’t believe it’s just a coincidence:

Now, if the guys at The Asylum are one thing, it’s legaly savvy. There is a reason they’ve succesfully been in the mockbuster business for DECADES. I’m sure they didn’t steal an asset like these neobootleggers probably did, but I wouldn’t be surprised if the “Mecha Ape” and “Mecha King Kong” 3D models have a common origin somewhere down the line.

If there is something I take from all this unprompted cashing-in on robot gorillas, is that if the Godzilla vs. Kong sequel were to feature a robot Kong (Mechanikong or otherwise), audiences and bootlegers would welcome it with open arms.

(Also is this “Ape” fella going to be their new “Mega Shark”?)

[rhetthammersmithhorror]

The Monster and the Ape | 1945

[astoundingbeyondbelief]

Poster for The Asylum's 25th anniversary epic, 2025 Armageddon. Some of these fellows (like the stars of Ape vs. Monster) weren't in the trailer, so I'm not sure how truthful it is.

[ridicbird]

He understands

[karastears]

you

vs the guy she told you not to worry about

[moviesandmania]

APE VS. MECHA APE (2023) Review of The Asylum sequel plus trailer

‘This $#!t is bananas!’ Ape vs. Mecha Ape is a 2023 American monster movie about a battle between a giant gorilla and a massive robot primate. The film is a sequel to Ape vs Monster. Written and directed by Marc Gottlieb (Cousin Howard; writer of 2025 Armageddon; Jungle Run; Aquarium of the Dead; Fast and Fierce: Death Race; Triassic World; Alien Convergence; Planet of the Sharks). The movie was…

[thenefilim]

Review - Ape vs. Mecha Ape

Not letting the success of Ape vs Monster go to waste The Asylum is back with Ape vs. Mecha Ape.

[kaiju-krew]

Hey there! Firstly, big big fan of your art and headcanons, ty for your cool and awesome big brain ❤️ Now that you’ve seen the movie, I’m wondering what your thoughts are on Shimo??? I’ve just seen impressions of her so scattered. (I saw your post on how she will NOT be treated as a pet, and I so appreciate that.)

I will say, for me the ‘old gal’ vibes are so strong and I’m here for it. Like when Goji blasts his atomic breath into the sky at the end and she’s looking at it with such awe and her cute super gummy smile, it reminds me of when a grandma gets shown some common piece of technology that the rest of us are used to, but she just can’t heckin believe it because she lives in a damn cave??? I loved that.

hi hi! omg u think i have a big brain...... compliment of the century.... i must have ppl fooled bcuz i am viscerally dumb most of the time

anywAYS. gxk spoilers below (and a lot of ranting)

shimo my beloved💙 i appreciate most interpretations of her, besides people who are just straight up caling her a dog. and like, not in the way i’d compare goji to a cat? for me it's more mannerisms based, so for goji my main expression/mannerism inspirations are cats, wolves, and komodo dragons (obviously), and for mosu it's owls and cats, with a crumb of horses because of their 'ear' communication so i use that with her antennae.

sorry for tangent but anyways. i dont need someone barking at me that i call goji a cat/draw him acting like a cat so calling shimo ‘kong’s pet dog’ is fine. i think its the difference between goji having the personality i characterize him with + mannerisms inspired by other animals, vs. him having no personality besides Being A Cat. like, he’s a dumbfuck but he’s clearly an intelligent creature capable of communication and understanding. i make a lot of shitposts but truly in my personal hc i’d never reduce him to ‘pet level intelligence’

i think i’m extra touchy about people calling her ‘kong’s pet’ because like. dawg. did you watch the movie? she was JUST freed from being skar’s slave/beast of burden/abused pet whatever you wanna call it. why would you want her to become another creature’s pet again?(obviously minus the abuse) idk mannn it just feels…. reductive somehow. she clearly shows intelligence and understanding when she realizes what’s happening during the fight and helps to kill skar. i just refuse to reduce her entire character to kong’s pet status bcuz that makes me uncomfortable asf.

as a disclaimer, you’re welcome to have whatever hc you enjoy. me expressing my personal thoughts on the matter isn’t an attack on anyone who characterizes her that way, i’m just not interested in engaging with it in the slightest.

DOUBLE ANYWAYS i just needed to get that outta my system. TIME FOR CUTE FUN IDEAS YAHOOO

i’m seeing mixed info about her age so idk where she actually sits there?? i remember seeing something like she’s the First Titan but i also think the novelization of the movie said she’s only 3 million years old?? when im p sure they’ve said goji is 250+ million years old so…. i have no clue there lol. personally she feels less jaded and grumpy than goji does to me so my brain automatically sees her as similar or younger bcuz of my Grumpy Old Man bias.

i’m still workin out my ideas for her but based on how the movie ends i like to think she helps kong with relocating the apes to a better home, and they mostly live in HE. her n kong venture up for surface dates bcuz she gets what she fucking deserves 💙

goji nearly has an aneurysm the first time they come up, since mosu literally takes them for a lil tour of monster island. bro standing there clenching his fist like the arthur meme, he begrudgingly knows she’s right and eventually he gets used to it

i got more ideas cookin for her but this post is already too damn long cuz of my ranting time to stfu

SHIMO BEST GIRL 10/10

[princeasimdiya12]

Bucchigiri Finale Thoughts

So I watched Episode 12 earlier today and had some time to think things over. And unfortunately, I realized that I didn't like this episode very much. Granted there are a good amount of moments that I did enjoy and contributed well to the main themes of the series. But there were too many moments that I felt undercut my enjoyment of the show. So fair warning, a lot of what I have to say is fairly critical and kinda negative. If you agree or disagree with anything I've said here, feel free to reblog this with your own comments. And if you're not into negativity, feel free to ignore this.

But I will start by mentioning the things I did like.

Just like everyone and their gyoza-making mothers, I loved the final fight scenes. The choreography was well executed and I thought the animation was top notch, both when it came to Senya vs Ichiya and Arajin vs Matakara. I really liked how in depth they went with the fighting sequences and the dark colors fit really well with the tone of the drama of the scene. The emotional range between the fighters felt incredible; the actors truly gave it their all when going about their fights.

And the part with Arajin mustering the power to save Matakara was beautifully done. I was in awe when Arajin brought up how Matakara became the very monster he tried desperately to destroy which really got a crack on his defenses. The sequence of Arajin reaching out to Matakara's inner child to help him out of his despair was gorgeous. Especially since Ara-chan used the Friendship Stone both to help the inner child and later when telling his old friend that he's not alone anymore. That was really great and genuine character growth, especially since Arajin accepted that he was in the wrong for leaving him all the time.

And as I mentioned in an earlier post, I did love the first scene with Arajin meeting Matakara for the first time. But as a twist, it was Arajin who was inspired by Matakara's dedication to being a Honki Person and volunteered himself to train alongside his new friend. That was a great twist and it adds new depths to how Arajin was actually inspiried by his old friend and not the other way around like we believed for so long.

So those were the parts that I genuinely enjoyed. Now for the parts I didn't really like..

On one hand, while it is nice that Zabu wasn't brutally beaten to subconsciousness, I do kiinda wish that he did have to be hospitalized. It just feels so off-putting how he's relatively okay despite being brutally mauled by Matakara only a few hours ago. Especially since Marito and Kenichirou wound up in the hospital after losing to Matakara. Plus I feel like it undercuts the drama and severity of the situation by having Zabu be fine enough to look for Matakara. It doesn't help that he and Komao don't really do much apart from running around trying to find their friend.

Also, I hope I'm not the only one but did anyone else feel uncomfortable with this scene?

I understand that Mahoro did it in a desperate bid to bring her brother back but the way she described Kenichirou here was just... gross.

Not insane, not weird, not quirky, not even ridiculous.

It was just gross for me to see her dehumanize one of the few dark skinned characters on the show. Even if he's not black/black coded, it still rubs me the wrong way that she would say those things so casually. Especially since Japan can be really casual when it comes to making racist/offensive remarks to brown skinned people in it's media. Plus there are tons of other ways she could have referred to him without calling him a gorilla. Like meathead, blockhead, oaf, ogre. Any other insult could have worked and been more acceptable than the ape insult. And it's unfortunately consistent since she did call him a gorilla during the Gang War Arc.

And then there's this part...

I don't know if it was Mahoro's doing or if that's what the original nurses did, but it was just uncalled for. Both for the unspoken racism and for how it doesn't even apply to Kenichirou's character. Out of the three banchos, he's always been the least violent and was always shown to be tranquil and easy to work with, unlike Marito and Akutaro who were more unhinged, wild and violent in comparison. There shouldn't be any reason for him to behave so violently that the staff would resort to shackling him like an animal. Especially given how defeated he looked when Matakara beat him in a fight.

Another reason why I dislike this scene is because the characters involved (Mahoro, Marito, Kenichirou) do nothing to contribute to the final duel between Arajin and Matakara. None of these characters actually show up until the end when Matakara apologizes to everyone. You could have made it so that during the apology scenes, the two gang leaders could have shown up while covered in bandages or crutches. There really isn't a need to show us Marito waking up since we could get that later on in the end with Matakara apologizing to Siguma Squad.

The same can be argued for Zabu, Komao, Outa, Jabashiri and Hagure. Even though they spend most of their time hunting down Matakara and Arajin, they don't exactly contribute to the final duel or offer any words to the main heroes. They just show up and the duo resolve their problem like nothing.

Regarding Ichiya's secret of him dying, while it's not the worst reason for him to be so insistent on fighting Senya, I do wish there was more build up or at least some hints to it. It just feels like a random reason for why Ichiya developed his grudge against Senya. It's not the worst reason and it does make sense for why he wanted to die like a Honki Person instead of to a random illness, it just leaves a bad taste to how it happened to him out of randomness.

And wow, Arajin is never going to overcome the internet hating him for being a perverted simp mc.

In a way, it makes some sense since Arajin's character arc was never about respecting women or learning that there's other ways to be a man apart from stealing a girl's virginity. That was never the focus as the story wanted him to confront his mistake of abandoning his old friend and not running away from his problems. That said, this still won't look good for him since fans are going to be turned off of Bucchigiri because of his perversions and how the show doesn't encourage him to change.

And as I've come to realize, the show itself doesn't seem to mind with the characters not growing out of their negative vices. A critique I have is that the show doesn't go out of it's way to challenge the beliefs of these characters or push them to grow into better people. Arajin is perfectly okay with being rude to everyone while pursuing a girl just so he can lose his virginity to her, Mahoro continues to lust over her older brother and has no interest in anything else, Marito is still a bloodthirsty bad boy who lives and breathes fighting, Kenichirou doesn't mind repeating high school as long as he gets to run Minato Kai, even Yayako prefers to act like a bubbly airhead rather then act like a responsible and respectful adult. And even with Matakara's corruption arc, he doesn't really recognize how harmful his idolization of Arajin was since the focus was more on his loneliness and trauma of being alone. Maybe because I'm spoiled by Mob Psycho 100, but it saddens me to see how these characters don't grow into better people or make an effort to change themselves. Especially since there can be potential for all of them.

And while I'm glad that Arajin and Matakara were able to become friends again, it feels like a letdown that there's no build up to it. It just rushes straight to them becoming friends again without acknowledging their negative attributes. Th same with puppy boy getting everyone to just accept him with no repercussions or consequences. It feels like letdown as there were no serious consequences for his actions. Like he could just go on a despair-induced rampage again and they'll just keep accepting him. On paper it's rather wholesome, but it does feel contrived if everything just works out without problems or how Matakara doesn't need to work hard to earn their forgiveness. That would have been for a greater character moment and to show Matakara taking responsibility for his actions. But we never see Matakara doing that and him being accepted by the gang feels rather hollow. It's technically nice that he has his friends back and that SS won't have his heart on a stick, but it feels hollow.

Speaking of taking non-responsibilities and being accepted by the gangs, Akutaro is now back with the NG Boys and they're accepting of him?

I really do wish we could have had a scene that explains how the heck he was able to win back his old gang despite them professing that they weren't going to let him beat them around like before. It just feels offputting that Akutaro is back in charge and has their respect with zero explanation or even any build up to it. He spent all his time trying out different jobs and activities but nothing to suggest that he wants to go back to his old club again.

Not to mention that this is still bad news for Minato Kai since Akutaro still has his hatred for Kenichirou and still longs to destroy him. And given how he also hasn't grown out of his negative vices, it's more than likely he'll come up with a new plan to destroy them albeit a different approach. Though the other gangs will be aware of him trying to wreak havoc on them again, I sincerely doubt that that'll stop Akutaro from having his revenge. And with the NG Boys and Girls behind his back, he definitely has a shot at it.

Then there's the resolution with the Nyan Nyaight Love segment. While it was endearing with the Receptionist wanting to help out the Customer, I'm just trying to wrap around the logic behind the Receptionist accepting him again.

It doesn't make sense to me how he'd be accepting of the guy who abducted one of your prized cats, lose her, and then just welcome him back with another cat. It's setting up a cycle for the Customer to fall in love with a new cat only for him to become obsessed with her and then try to steal the cat out of "love". And while the show focuses on him learning to lose his shame of visiting NNL, it doesn't try to challenge his dependency on cats for company along with his hostile jealousy.

Is the Receptionist aware of this potential problem and how it can happen again to another cat? Is the manager of NNL willing to accept the Customer again along with the risk of jeopardizing his business? I can't imagine how difficult it must be to promote a cat only to lose it because of a depressed nutjob.

Also, to the anon who was grossed out by Arajin's mom, I'd like to give a complete apology to you for refuting your claims. Because this...

This was not necessary.

I mean, it is interesting to know that Marito shows attraction to girls/women which gives more depth to his character. And while it is weird for him to hit on an older women, it's still technically okay since it is normal for teens/youth to show attraction to adults that catch their interest.

But what isn't okay is Yayako's reaction to his attention.

Again, she is a grown woman getting over excited because a teenage boy is trying to hit on her. And she's okay with this? Like ma'am, not only is that concerning because of the blatant age differences but you're also a married woman (according to the additional info). How are you so lenient with being hit on by a guy who could pass for your son? Like really? I used to think of Yayako as a quirky, wholesome woman who needed to not let her son treat her like trash. But now I'm seriously questioning her values and how she treats everything in her life like a soap opera.

In regards to Mitsukuni being in a coma and waking up, it was... okay. Like I'm happy that Matakara will get his big brother back and they'll be able to move into an apartment like they wanted to. But I feel that the reveal of him being in a coma undercut alot of the emotional turmoil Matakara went through. I don't know, it just feels rather hollow knowing that Mitsukuni was always there and was going to make it out alive while his little brother was running around like a war machine. It's conflicting in all honesty.

But what isn't conflicting was how much I really didn't care much for Senya returning in the last shot. I wasn't moved by Senya showing up in the last scene or how Arajin secretly missed him. Maybe it's because of how Arajin constantly yelled at him or acted like he didn't care. And while he does care in his own way, I just felt disinterested in the reunion and I had no strong emotions of Senya returning. It doesn't help that the part with Senya and Ichiya "leaving" didn't really have alot of emotional depth to make the reunion more impactful. Senya not coming back would not have me upset.

And those would be my thoughts on the final episode. For those who stuck around to read all of this, I thank you for doing so. And to those that stuck around, I apologize for the excessive negativity. And like I mentioned above, you're more than welcome to reblog this with your thoughts and whether you agreed, disagreed or have something to say regarding my post.

Thank you all for taking the time to read this along with my other posts for this ridiculous show. Your feedback means alot to me and I hope you all have a wonderful weekend!

Nana na na, Nana na na, Nana na na na na...

[mediasaurs]

TRM Round 1: King Kong 1933 (Tyrannosaurus rex) vs. Mighty Morphin’ Power Rangers (Tyrannosaurus Dinozord)

King Kong 1933 (Tyrannosaurus rex) – King Kong is, at least in part, another lost world story. The main difference is, of course, in addition to surviving prehistoric creatures, Skull Island also features an enormous gorilla. While the 2005 film opts for making up its own dinosaurs, and Kong: Skull Island prefers purely imagined creatures, the 1933 original does include many actual dinosaurs, unaltered from how they were envisioned at the time. Though the T. rex does not feature in much of the movie, it nevertheless makes an impact when it is bested in combat by Kong, after attempting to eat Ann, the object of the big ape’s affection.

Mighty Morphin’ Power Rangers (Tyrannosaurus Dinozord) – Piloted by Jason Scott, the original Red Ranger, the Tyrannosaurus Dinozord is a giant robotic vehicle in the shape of a T. rex that is used to do battle with the various villains and monsters that cross the Power Rangers’ paths. Like the other Dinozords, the Tyrannosaurus can be combined to form the Megazord, an even bigger and more powerful robot piloted by the entire team. Interestingly, while the other Dinozords are rarely, if ever, used on their own, the Tyrannosaurus Dinozord is able to defeat opponents in a solo fight and has done so on various occasions in the show.

[adventure-showdown]

What is your favourite Doctor Who story?

ROUND 3 MASTERPOST

synopses and propaganda under the cut

The God Complex

Synopsis

The Eleventh Doctor, Amy, and Rory investigate a hotel of horror where repeat business is low but the body count is high, where a mighty monster stalks the corridors and the rooms hold visions of angels, apes, and creepy clowns. Who — or what — has brought them to this place? Can the Doctor solve the mystery before the residents check out in grisly style?

Propaganda no propaganda submitted

Smith and Jones

Synopsis

Just when it seemed it would be yet another chaotic day managing her family's disputes, Martha Jones finds trouble waiting for her at work. Trapped on the Moon with space rhinos looking for a criminal and the air running out, she will have to come to trust a seemingly mad stranger calling himself "the Doctor". But can the Tenth Doctor save the day this time?

Propaganda no propaganda submitted

[naughtygirl286]

So we finally went to see the next chapter of the MonsterVerse GodzillaxKong: The New Empire. I was super excited to go see this because as a Godzilla fan I have been enjoying this series. Also yes there was plenty of collectable goodies for this movie which of course you can see here.

So as for the movie itself I would say I pretty much loved it I thought it was great myself. I loved all the monster action and all the smashing and crashing. You can tell how these movies evolved from the 2014 Godzilla to now being in the 2014 movie it was very I'd say human centric and as they went on the monsters pretty much took center stage. I feel that the human involvement in this movie was very minimal and were there when they needed to be. and that Warner Bros was all "they want monsters we'll give them monsters!" because I feel this was like 85% monster action!

Now with the story I do feel much like the previous Godzilla vs Kong that the story is focused more on Kong then Godzilla. Kong is the main character in this movie and does get the most screen time. but as for the story itself if kinda is telling two at the same time a Kong Story and a Godzilla story and going back and forth until the 2 meet up again. I don't know the timeline of this I don't remember if they mention anything but I think it does take place shortly after the previous movie maybe a year or 2?

Your basic story is this Kong is living in the Hollow Earth while Godzilla is above. Kong is still lonely believing he is the last of his kind until he finds a hidden underground area with many like himself but it is ruled by a ruthlessly despotic ape known only as "The Skar King" Kong of course comes into conflict with him and gets the upper hand for the moment until the Skar King unleashes his ultimate weapon a kiju named Shimo who has a devastating ice attack causing Kong to retreat and seek help from the only one who can match Shimo's power the King of the Monsters Godzilla! after a short scuffle Godzilla agrees to Help Kong and the Monster action goes into full swing!

Now I like I said I love this movie I thought it was every exciting and very fun and delved more into the mythology of the characters of Godzilla and Kong I loved how they introduced some more new monsters like The Skar King and the little minikong Suko who was a real bastard when you meet him but of course became a friend of Kong's as Kong earned his trust. I also love the return of Mothra as well. The animation and character work for this movie was impressive too especially with Kong and the other ape characters as well as Godzilla who seemed to have a greater sense of motion in this movie as you can see him both running and jumping.

Also like I said the monster action is amazing Ken Watanabe's character Dr. Ishiro Serizawa said it best in the first movie of this series back in 2014 "Let them Fight" and this movie takes that to heart and lets them fight! the fight in Egypt is alot of fun but its pretty much not until they get to Rio and then everything goes crazy! but it is so much fun to watch and I would say it is very satisfying all the smashing and crashing and buildings going flying as the monsters tear everything apart.

but in the end this is just an amazingly fun movie. There is plenty of action and its exciting and goes deeper into the lore and I feel it is having lots of fun expanding on this world and this universe. One thing with these movies is I would like to see more classic characters appear like Anguirus and maybe Gigan but I also like how they are creating newer monster for these movies too. I'm just enjoying everything in these movies and loving it all! but yeah if you are enjoying the MonsterVerse as much as I am then I would highly recommend this one.

[thecreaturecodex]

Viskithrel

Image © Paizo Publishing, accessed at Archives of Nethys here

[Sponsored by @vonbaghager. Of the various Paizo APs published since the change from 1e to 2e, Extinction Curse is definitely the one I'm most interested in. I might even end up running it, although I would probably back-convert it to 1e. So the excuse to retro-convert its monsters is one I am happy to have.]

Viskithrel CR 15 NE Magical Beast This mammoth-sized creature is a strange parody of a reptile, its entire body covered in natural weapons. Its jaws are long and filled with needle-sharp teeth, its four limbs all end in three clawed digits, its tail is tipped with a bony club and eight tentacles grow from its back. It has a dozen nostrils, irregularly scattered along its snout like the tubes of marine worms, four beady eyes, and a short tentacled beard.

Viskithrels are strange Abyssal predators native to Gluttondark, the layer controlled by Zevgavizeb. Their anatomy combines features of multiple species of lizards, dinosaurs and cephalopods, with extra eyes and extra nostrils thrown in for good measure. Their extra nostrils and strangely chambered sinuses give them one of the best senses of smell known to sages—they can follow a trail by scent that has been cold for weeks, partition a stinking cloud spell into one nostril and out the other unharmed, and pinpoint creatures by their aromas. They are extremely, aggressively social creatures. A lone viskithrel will attempt to find others of its own kind via scent for days.

Viskithrels rarely bother with stealth, using instead their endurance and pack tactics to run down victims and tear them apart. Their tentacles are covered with short sharp thorns, like the rasp of a cat’s tongue, and they leave shallow bleeding wounds. Their saliva is acidic, and their stomach contents even more so, and a viskithrel will happily swallow a smaller enemy whole. But only if it is fighting in a group. As they have a strange psychological compulsion. A viskithrel cannot eat unless it is in proximity to another of its kind, or another creature it recognizes as part of its pack. Viskithrels summoned to the Material Plane have been known to go on violent rampages, killing without eating until they drop dead from exhaustion and starvation.

For such aggressively violent monsters, viskithrels are remarkably benevolent to their own kind. They are excellent parents, will adopt unrelated individuals into their packs with little resistance, and avoid other packs or engage in intimidation displays rather than fight each other to the death. A viskithrel can be convinced that other species belong to its pack, although they are not known to accept creatures other than reptilian monsters in such roles. Some powerful troglodytes, and other worshipers of Zevgavizeb, have been able to convince a viskithrel to accept their organization as a suitable pack, and thus have recruited a deadly ally.

Viskithrel CR 15 XP 51,200 NE Huge magical beast (extraplanar) Init +10; Senses blindsight 100 ft., darkvision 60 ft., Perception +20 Defense AC 30, touch 15, flat-footed 23 (-2 size, +6 Dex, +1 dodge, +15 natural) hp 220 (21d10+105) Fort +16, Ref +18, Will +11 Immune inhaled poison, olfactory attacks, sickened Defensive Abilities evasion, predatory leap Offense Speed 40 ft., swim 20 ft. Melee bite +27 (2d6+8 plus 1d6 acid plus grab), 2 claws +27 (1d10+8), 2 tentacles +25 (1d8+4 plus bleed), tail slap +25 (2d6+4) Space 15 ft.; Reach 15 ft. (20 ft. with tentacles, 10 ft. with claws) Special Attacks bleed (1d8), swallow whole (AC 17, 22 hp, 2d6+12 plus 2d6 acid) Statistics Str 27, Dex 23, Con 18, Int 4, Wis 18, Cha 9 Base Atk +21; CMB +31 (+35 grapple); CMD 48 (52 vs. trip) Feats Bleeding Critical, Combat Reflexes, Critical Focus, Dodge, Improved Critical (bite), Improved Initiative, Multiattack, Nimble Moves, Power Attack, Toughness, Vital Strike Skills Acrobatics +18 (+22 when jumping), Climb +16, Perception +20, Survival +9 (+17 tracking by scent), Swim +20; Racial Modifiers +4 Acrobatics, +8 Perception, +8 Survival (tracking by scent) Languages Abyssal (cannot speak) SQ impossible scent Ecology Environment warm forests and swamps (Abyss) Organization solitary, pair or pack (3-8) Treasure none Special Abilities Impossible Scent (Ex) A viskithrel is immune to any inhaled poison or olfactory attack. It gains blindsight 100 feet through its sense of smell, which can only be disabled by magical means such as curses. A viskithrel gains a +2 to the skill check DC to follow tracks by scent every day, not every hour. Predatory Leap (Ex) As an immediate action when it is about to be struck by a melee attack, a viskithrel can make an Acrobatics check with a DC equal to the attack roll. If it succeeds, it negates the attack. Regardless of whether it succeeds or fails, it can then move up to half its speed without provoking attacks of opportunity. If its movement ends near a creature suffering from a bleed effect, it can make a bite attack against that creature as part of the same action. When a viskithrel uses this ability, it is staggered for its next turn.

[astoundingbeyondbelief]

YOU COULD HAVE JUST LET ME PLANT A VEGETABLE GARDEN IN MY FRONT YARD

[gorogues]

Spoilers for Justice League vs. Godzilla vs. Kong #6!

Not tons to say about this, but things are happening and there isn't a lot of standing around talking: Lex has finally put his plan into operation and Batman is countering it with his own giant mech, and even the League of Assassins has sent their pet monster into play. Plus, Grodd uses King Kong and Supergirl to the Legion's advantage and Superman comes out of his coma to confront Godzilla (who is chained with Nth metal at the bottom of the ocean). So there's lots going on, even if the Rogues are basically Legion cannon fodder and not doing much; there probably isn't much for regular villains to do anyway in a melee with giant monsters, mechs, and warriors like Wonder Woman.

I like that Black Manta is still the smartest voice of reason in the Legion of Doom, and the only guy arguing (futilely) that the group is a collective. He's fighting a losing battle, but I appreciate the effort to keep things more egalitarian.

It's interesting that Grodd saw Kong as a god in the first issue but is quite happy to mind-control him now. Maybe that's just Grodd's malicious self-interest at work, or maybe he had second thoughts about Kong's divinity when he saw how benevolent he is towards humanity. Brian Buccellato has always written a particularly vicious Grodd, and he's in fine form here by personally crushing Guy Gardner to death and controlling others with super-strength to do the rest of his dirty work. This is definitely the ape who ripped off Axel's arm and put Roy's head on a pike, and though I think Johns' Grodd was scarier, you can't argue with this Grodd's results.

[soylent-crocodile]

Animal Conversions- Panthers and Apes

These, for the time being, are the last two animal conversions I'm publishing. I have bears and boars statted up, although they are close in abilities and CR to really be worth it, I think. I intend to tackle ocean life (dolphins, orcas, seals) soon, but that's for a later date.

I may have mentioned my love of cat monsters here before, and my panther's stat block here probably shows that bias. I've combined jaguars and leopards into one stat block, even if they aren't any more related than they are to other Panthera species, because they're large and solitary. My other reason for grouping panthers into one statblock was to give the DM an opportunity for some spec evo- maybe there are striped arboreal panthers in your world? Maybe black panthers are their own species? Go wild!

Chimps also got a massive boon. You may notice I gave chimps an intelligence of 3- personally, I think pathfinder's scale of "smart, stupid, literally mindless" is just not a very good way of defining animal intelligence. I'm giving particualy smart animals (pinnipeds, elephants, apes, parrots, corvids) an intelligence of 3 to represent this. Also chimps can maul you know. They're fuckin scary, yo.

(Jaguar by CorvusHound)

Cat, Panther

This predator stalks quietly through trees and waterways, eyes glinting and pelt spotted. Misc- CR4 TN Medium Animal HD5 Init:+9 Senses: Perception:+7, Low-Light Vision, Scent  Stats- Str:20(+5) Dex:21(+5) Con:16(+3) Int:2(-4) Wis:16(+3) Cha:13(+1) BAB:+3 Space:5ft Reach:5ft Defense- HP:38(5d8+15) AC:8(+5 Dexterity, +4 Natural) Fort:+7 Ref:+9 Will:+4 CMD:23 (+2 Racial bonus vs Trip)  Offense- Bite +8(1d8+5), 2 Claw +7(1d6+3 plus Grab) CMB:+8 (+2 Racial bonus to Grapple) Speed:40ft, Climb 30ft, Swim 30ft Special Attacks: Pounce, Precise Feats- Multiattack, Weapon Focus (Claw), Improved Initiative Skills- +16 Climb, +6 Intimidate, +7 Perception, +13 Stealth, +16 Swim (+4 Racial bonus to Stealth and Intimidate) Special Qualities- Roar Ecology- Environment- Forests, Plains, Rivers (Warm) Languages- None Organization- Solitary Treasure- None Special Abilities- Precise  (Ex)- A panther gets a +4 Racial bonus to rolls to confirm critical hits. Roar (Ex)- A panther may make an intimidate check as a swift action.

“Panther” is a word that can refer to a number of medium-sized solitary cats, typically leopards and jaguars. They are all-terrain hunters, capable of climbing and swimming, and of all wild animals they are among the most common who turn maneater.

Panther pelts are prized as exotic trophies; if relatively undamaged and treated properly, they sell for 200gp in most markets.

Ape, Chimpanzee

This hairy ape has long, sharp canines and a manic expression on its face. Misc- CR2 TN Medium Animal HD3 Init:+3 Senses: Perception:+2 Stats- Str:19(+4) Dex:17(+3) Con:16(+3) Int:3(-4) Wis:6(-2) Cha:14(+2) BAB:+3 Space:5ft Reach:5ft Defense- HP:23(3d8+9) AC:13(+3 Dexterity) Fort:+6 Ref:+6 Will:+1 CMD:20  Offense- Bite +7(1d6+4) or 2 Slam +2(1d4+2 plus trip) CMB:+7 (+2 Racial bonus to Trip) Speed:30ft, Climb 30ft Special Attacks: Vulnerable Strike +1d6 Feats- Iron Will, Power Attack (-1/+2) Skills- Climb +11, Intimidate +4, Perception +2, Swim +0 (-4 Racial penalty to Swim) Special Qualities- Screech Ecology- Environment- Forests (Warm) Languages- None Organization- Troop (4-8) Treasure- None Special Abilities- Vulnerable Strike (Ex)- A chimpanzee knows to target the softest parts of its opponent. Their bite attack deals an additional 1d6 precision damage against creatures that are flanked, grappled, prone, or helpless. Creatures dealt damage this way must make a DC12 Fortitude save or be sickened in pain.

Chimpanzees are tropical animals that closely resemble humanoids and live in troops which have occasional violent infighting. Because of their appearance, many humanoids have attempted to tame or train chimps, but these situations rarely go well, and it’s best for everyone’s sake that they stay in the wild.