Post/Author/DateTime	Post
angelshelper81 05-20-05, 01:27 AM	So I was looking through the monster manual, trying to find a couple of suitable mounts for a Tiny PC, and I came across the shocker lizard. Hmm, I though. This looks decent, especially if I add a few points of strength and reduce the damage from its shocks. It can be a specially-bred domesticated pack-lizard. Cool. However, I can't figure out if the basic shocker lizard is a biped or a quadraped. I'd tend to assume it's a quadraped, but the picture shows it with distinctly T-rex looking arms, and I'm not seeing anything in the description that says one way or the other. I guess in the end it doesn't matter; I'm going to fiddle the stats and stuff around anyway to make a new creature. But now I'm curious. Is there any difinative way to tell?
Nuntius128 05-20-05, 03:06 AM	Well, I suppose technically, not all mounts are required to be quadrapeds. For example, there was a Riding Bird posted in a back issue of Dragon, nd it was a biped. However, if its shown on its hind legs, its my general assumption that its a bipedal creature.
the_poison_elf 05-20-05, 03:53 AM	it's definately bipedal from the looks fit. if anything, it might be sort of like a rabbit: it goes around on it's front legs, too, but they don't really do squat other than keeping it from eating dirt. i think the only issue of quad/bi would be for carrying capacity.
urial angel of death 05-20-05, 07:17 AM	Well, I suppose technically, not all mounts are required to be quadrapeds. For example, there was a Riding Bird posted in a back issue of Dragon, nd it was a biped. However, if its shown on its hind legs, its my general assumption that its a bipedal creature. choco choco choco chocobo
CzarGarrett 05-20-05, 08:46 AM	Go with the idea that opposable thumbs = bipedal
angelshelper81 05-21-05, 12:28 AM	Being bipedal wouldn't stop me from allowing it as a mount, but it would affect its carying capacity, so it's important. And thumbs=bipedal doesn't always work... birds for one are always bipedal and never have thumbs. I think in this case, I'm going to make a 'special breed' of domesticated shocker lizard that's quadrapedal and has a slightly higher strength, but a lower shock die. If I didn't want to do that, I might rule that it's a biped with a quadrapedal carying capacity, like the Axebeak. (By the way, rabbits do use their front legs for steering, like most other quadrapeds. And for fighting, too. Rabbits can be nasty buggers, especially intact males. Being clawed by one is not fun.:surrender)
Ever Lonely Ty 05-24-05, 07:12 PM	Being bipedal wouldn't stop me from allowing it as a mount, but it would affect its carying capacity, so it's important. And thumbs=bipedal doesn't always work... birds for one are always bipedal and never have thumbs. "A bird's wing, comrades, is an instrument of Propulsion and not of manipulation."- Squealer
feartheinvinceblehamster 05-24-05, 07:15 PM	Go with the idea that opposable thumbs = bipedal I know, it is so obvious that velociraptors are quadrupeds!
CzarGarrett 05-25-05, 08:58 AM	I said 'opposable thumbs = bipedal' not 'bipedal = opposable thumbs' Learn to understand context.
Raymond_Luxury_Yacht 05-25-05, 08:37 PM	Being bipedal wouldn't stop me from allowing it as a mount, but it would affect its carying capacity, so it's important. Not unless it's Medium or larger, IIRC. (Might be Small or larger. But the multiplier difference is almost nil, especially with low strength.