Dire rat
Encyclopedia
A 'dire rat' is a fictional animal from the Dungeons & Dragons
RPG. It is one of the more common dire creatures, which are all are larger, tougher, meaner versions of regular animals. They can be found on any land or underground, and are either encountered individually, or in packs of 11-20 individual creatures. Being of animal intelligence, they carry no equipment or treasure.
#277 (November 2000). The dire rat appeared in the third edition Monster Manual
(2000) under the "dire animal" entry, and then in the 3.5 Monster Manual (2003). The dire rat familiar appeared in Tome and Blood (2001), and in the 3.5 revised Dungeon Master's Guide
(2003).
, but they can grow up to 3 feet long and weigh over 60 pounds (27 kilograms). According to the general description of dire animals, they have a 'feral, prehistoric look'. They are adept swimmers and climbers, relying on their dexterity ability score rather than their strength for these skills. They also have better vision and scent than humans.
s, although it can also be caught by anyone who is injured in a dirty environment. The disease temporarily lowers the ill creature's constitution and dexterity ability scores, therefore weakening their immune system and physical toughness, as well as slowing their reflexes, lessening their flexibility and lessening their accuracy.
. Wizards of the Coast has also released two dire rat models in their new batch of official ranges- the 'Dire Rat' from the Giants of Legend range and the 'Diseased Dire Rat' from the War of the Dragon Queen range.
Dungeons & Dragons
Dungeons & Dragons is a fantasy role-playing game originally designed by Gary Gygax and Dave Arneson, and first published in 1974 by Tactical Studies Rules, Inc. . The game has been published by Wizards of the Coast since 1997...
RPG. It is one of the more common dire creatures, which are all are larger, tougher, meaner versions of regular animals. They can be found on any land or underground, and are either encountered individually, or in packs of 11-20 individual creatures. Being of animal intelligence, they carry no equipment or treasure.
Publication history
The dire rat first appeared in the third edition in DragonDragon (magazine)
Dragon is one of the two official magazines for source material for the Dungeons & Dragons role-playing game and associated products, the other being Dungeon. TSR, Inc. originally launched the monthly printed magazine in 1976 to succeed the company's earlier publication, The Strategic Review. The...
#277 (November 2000). The dire rat appeared in the third edition Monster Manual
Monster Manual
The Monster Manual is the primary bestiary sourcebook for monsters in the Dungeons & Dragons fantasy role-playing game. It includes monsters derived from mythology, and folklore, as well as creatures created for D&D specifically...
(2000) under the "dire animal" entry, and then in the 3.5 Monster Manual (2003). The dire rat familiar appeared in Tome and Blood (2001), and in the 3.5 revised Dungeon Master's Guide
Dungeon Master's Guide
The Dungeon Master's Guide is a book of rules for the fantasy role-playing game Dungeons & Dragons...
(2003).
Appearance
Dire rats look basically the same as a normal ratRat
Rats are various medium-sized, long-tailed rodents of the superfamily Muroidea. "True rats" are members of the genus Rattus, the most important of which to humans are the black rat, Rattus rattus, and the brown rat, Rattus norvegicus...
, but they can grow up to 3 feet long and weigh over 60 pounds (27 kilograms). According to the general description of dire animals, they have a 'feral, prehistoric look'. They are adept swimmers and climbers, relying on their dexterity ability score rather than their strength for these skills. They also have better vision and scent than humans.
Combat
Dire rats attack in packs. Their only weapon is their dangerous bite, which, as well as physically injuring the recipient, can pass on the disease carried by dire rats, known as filth fever. This is an ability that dire rats share only with otyughOtyugh
In the Dungeons & Dragons fantasy roleplaying game, the otyugh , or gulguthra, is a type of fictional monster for player characters to encounter...
s, although it can also be caught by anyone who is injured in a dirty environment. The disease temporarily lowers the ill creature's constitution and dexterity ability scores, therefore weakening their immune system and physical toughness, as well as slowing their reflexes, lessening their flexibility and lessening their accuracy.
Relation with other monsters and characters
- Wererats, a type of lycanthropeLycanthrope (Dungeons & Dragons)In the Dungeons & Dragons fantasy role-playing game, the lycanthrope is a humanoid shapeshifter based on various legends of lycanthropy.-Dungeons & Dragons :...
, are dire rats in their animal form. - Low level druidsDruid (Dungeons & Dragons)The druid is a playable character class in the Dungeons & Dragons fantasy role-playing game. Druids wield nature-themed magic. Prior to 4th edition, they gain divine magic from being at one with nature, or from one of several patron gods of the wild, while in 4th edition, they gain primal magic...
can choose to have a dire rat as an animal companion, as can mid-level rangersRanger (Dungeons & Dragons)The ranger is one of the standard playable character class in most editions of the Dungeons & Dragons fantasy role-playing game. They are protectors of nature, skilled woodsmen, and often live reclusive lives as hermits....
. - Dire rats can be summoned in various forms with spells, including Summon Nature's Ally I.
Dire rats in other publications
Dire rats have appeared in numerous other publications, including many Dungeons & Dragons novels. They have also appeared in official released adventures and adventure paths, such as The Sunless CitadelThe Sunless Citadel
The Sunless Citadel is an adventure module for the 3rd edition of the Dungeons & Dragons fantasy role-playing game.-Plot summary:This 32-page book begins with a two-page introduction. According to the adventure background provided, the plot involves a fortress that became buried in the earth ages...
. Wizards of the Coast has also released two dire rat models in their new batch of official ranges- the 'Dire Rat' from the Giants of Legend range and the 'Diseased Dire Rat' from the War of the Dragon Queen range.