CRYPT BAT

  Armor Class:    5
  Hit Dice:       1 hp + special
  Move:           90’ (30’)
  Flying:         180’ (60‘)
  Attacks:        1
  Damage:         1-4 + special
  No. Appearing:  20-120 (10-60)
  Save As:        Fighter: 1
  Morale:         10
  Treasure Type:  Nil
  Alignment :     Neutral
  XP Value:       Variable (1 per creature)

Crypt bats have an appearance much like that of normal bats in most aspects, but possess relatively large, distended jaws filled with razor-sharp teeth. Crypt bats have a unique hive mentality and their strength is in their numbers. They have the ability to increase their strength when attacking in a swarm. Each individual attacks as a 1 hit die monster but when in a swarm their effective hit-dice number equals the number of bats in the swarm divided by four (round down). Thus 25 bats attacking in a swarm would attack as a monster of 6 hit dice. Only 30 bats may effectively engage one opponent at a time, thus if a hit is scored, it will do 7 points of damage. This 'combining' ability does not apply to defense and an opponent who scores a hit will kill a number of bats equal to the points of damage inflicted.

Crypt bats are particularly vulnerable to sleep, slow spells (twice as effective) and light spells or open flames will usually cause them to flee (75%). Crypt bats also will become frenzied when blood is drawn. There is a 50% chance that the swarm will converge on a target that is dead or immobilized, forsaking all other opponents and proceeding to strip the flesh from a 'sitting duck'. For every 30 bats encountered, there is a 5% chance that one will be vampiric.