Large, deep-set eyes peer from beneath this great ape's thick brow as it lumbers forward on its legs and knuckles.
Gorilla CR 2
XP 600
N Large animal
Init +2; Senses low-light vision, scent; Perception +8
Defense
AC 14, touch 11, flat-footed 12; (+2 Dex, +3 natural, –1 size)
hp 19 (3d8+6)
Fort +7, Ref +5, Will +2
Offense
Speed 30 ft., climb 30 ft.
Melee 2 slams +3 (1d6+2)
Space 10 ft.; Reach 10 ft.
Statistics
Str 15, Dex 15, Con 14, Int 2, Wis 12, Cha 7
Base Atk +2; CMB +5; CMD 17
Feats Great Fortitude, Skill Focus (Perception)
Skills Acrobatics +6, Climb +14, Perception +8
Ecology
Environment warm forests
Organization solitary, pair, or troop (3–12)
Treasure none
An adult male ape is 8 feet tall and can weigh as much as 400 pounds. While generally shy and peaceful creatures when left to their own business, gorillas are territorial and become highly aggressive when provoked. This stat block can generally be used for any of the larger types of primates, such as gorillas—for smaller apes like orangutans and chimpanzees, apply the young simple template. Even smaller primates should use the stats for monkeys.
Gorillas typically make a large show of force before actually attacking, thumping their chests with their palms, stamping their feet, and roaring loudly. Any opponents who refuse to flee after this display are attacked. Troops of apes fight together in a frenzy, tearing opponents to pieces with their hands and teeth.
Sharp teeth fill this large, feral ape's mouth, and its long, muscular arms stretch to the ground, ending in wickedly curved claws.
Dire Ape (Gigantopithecus) CR 3
XP 800
N Large animal
Init +2; Senses low-light vision, scent; Perception +8
Defense
AC 15, touch 11, flat-footed 13; (+2 Dex, +4 natural, –1 size)
hp 30 (4d8+12)
Fort +7, Ref +6, Will +4
Offense
Speed 30 ft., climb 30 ft.
Melee bite +6 (1d6+4), 2 claws +6 (1d4+4)
Space 10 ft.; Reach 10 ft.
Special Attacks rend (2 claws, 1d4+6)
Statistics
Str 19, Dex 15, Con 16, Int 2, Wis 12, Cha 7
Base Atk +3; CMB +8; CMD 20
Feats Iron Will, Skill Focus (Perception)
Skills Acrobatics +6, Climb +16, Perception +8, Stealth +2
Ecology
Environment warm forests
Organization solitary, pair, or troop (3–6)
Treasure incidental
Known to many scholars as the gigantopithecus, the dire ape is a much more dangerous and bestial creature than the relatively peaceful gorilla. An adult male dire ape stands 9 feet tall and weighs 1,200 pounds. The dire ape attacks anything that intrudes on its territory, including other dire apes not of its troop, and does not break off the attack until the trespasser is dead or runs off.
A dire ape makes no displays of toughness or warnings before it attacks—it simply leaps into action with little or no provocation, tearing at its opponents with claws and teeth. If a dire ape is stymied by a heavily armored foe, it attempts to grapple its foe, pin it to the ground, and rend it.
