The most common raptor in the wild is the Tiger Claw Raptor, they are small, man–sized theropod carnivoreswho hunt alone and in packs of 4 – 16. As is typical of this breed of dinosaur, they have powerful hind legs designed for running and leaping, with small, clawed front arms for tearing apart the carcass of their prey. Tiger Claw Raptors get their name from their dark stripes. In the East, Tiger Claw Raptors have black stripes against a green hides, while in the West their skin is an orange to light reddish tan colour accented with black stripes.
Although a single human clad in good body armour and a pair decent weapons may be a match for one Raptor, he will be torn to shreds by a group of as few as three or four. These cunning pack animals use group tactics, with 2 – 3 striking simultaneously from different sides, and/or taking turns, tag team style. Against large prey like the Tri–Tops and Duckbilled dinosaurs, 3 – 6 will leap on the back while one or two others strike at the legs, throat and underbelly. A pack of 10 – 16 have been known to bring down a Duckbill Honker in less than two minutes, a bull or horse in 30 seconds, and even take down a Rhino, Buffalo, Tri–Tops or even a wounded Allosaurus within 8 – 10 minutes. A lone human or group of 2 – 6 humans is seen as easy pickings. Cunning and resourceful pack hunters, they will give up the attack or chase if their prey proves to be too dangerous (i.e. Humans with guns or armoured vehicles), but not until they have thoroughly tested the mettle of their opponent. This may mean that the Raptors may seem to give up on an attack, only to strike again a few minutes later using a different approach or tactic. Such hit and run strikes may be used 1 – 6 times before the creatures actually give up and move on.
Raptor packs are often referred to as “tactical study groups,” because the predators typically track and observe their prey for as long as five hours, studying their formation (if a group or herd), picking out the weakest/easiest targets (typically the smallest, sick/injured and stragglers), waiting for the most advantageous place and moment to strike, and often testing the prey with mock runs to see how it or they react. Then, the Raptors make adjustments for the real battle. They even use simple combat tactics like ambush, flanking, surprise and divide and conquer, and the Tiger Claw Raptors are among the most cunning and relentless of the various Raptor species.
The bigger the herd the Raptors target, the more daring and deadly the hunters become. For example, a pack of 4 – 6 are likely to back down to an equal number of humanoids, but a pack of 8 – 10 will make aggressive gestures and run at their human opponents to test their strength. Any sign of weakness will inspire a full on attack. Meanwhile, a pack of 12 – 16 are, generally, willing to take on any living creature, a dozen humans or even a Rex. A pack of 20 – 30 Tiger Claw Raptors will challenge a platoon of humanoids, but large groups are uncommon because there are too many challengers seeking to lead the pack, and too much infighting.
The leader and second in command of every pack will be the two largest females. Females are 20% larger than the males and have more S.D.C. and H.P. than a typical Raptor. They lay eggs once a year. Tiger Raptors are typically fearless in large packs.
ABILITIES
Excellent speed, can run without pause and without exhaustion for hours. Can go without food or water for two weeks without ill effect, eats live prey and carrion (frequently takes the kill of other lone predators or small groups). Can smell blood one mile (1.6 km) away, can track by blood scent. Cannot swim and tends to underestimate humanoid opponents.
HABITAT
Highly adaptable, Tiger Claw Raptors stalk almost any terrain from deserts, prairies and forests in the West, to the swamps, forests and ruins of the East. They only truly dislike cold climates and often migrate to warmer climes in the cold winter months. They also dislike mountainous terrain. They may be found in cooler northern areas but only during the hottest part of summer (typically a 3 – 5 week span from the middle of July to mid – August unless unseasonably warm), and always return to the South with the first chill in the air.
NOTES
The most common raptor in the wild is the Tiger Claw Raptor, they are small, man–sized theropod carnivoreswho hunt alone and in packs of 4 – 16. As is typical of this breed of dinosaur, they have powerful hind legs designed for running and leaping, with small, clawed front arms for tearing apart the carcass of their prey. Tiger Claw Raptors get their name from their dark stripes. In the East, Tiger Claw Raptors have black stripes against a green hides, while in the West their skin is an orange to light reddish tan colour accented with black stripes.
Although a single human clad in good body armour and a pair decent weapons may be a match for one Raptor, he will be torn to shreds by a group of as few as three or four. These cunning pack animals use group tactics, with 2 – 3 striking simultaneously from different sides, and/or taking turns, tag team style. Against large prey like the Tri–Tops and Duckbilled dinosaurs, 3 – 6 will leap on the back while one or two others strike at the legs, throat and underbelly. A pack of 10 – 16 have been known to bring down a Duckbill Honker in less than two minutes, a bull or horse in 30 seconds, and even take down a Rhino, Buffalo, Tri–Tops or even a wounded Allosaurus within 8 – 10 minutes. A lone human or group of 2 – 6 humans is seen as easy pickings. Cunning and resourceful pack hunters, they will give up the attack or chase if their prey proves to be too dangerous (i.e. Humans with guns or armoured vehicles), but not until they have thoroughly tested the mettle of their opponent. This may mean that the Raptors may seem to give up on an attack, only to strike again a few minutes later using a different approach or tactic. Such hit and run strikes may be used 1 – 6 times before the creatures actually give up and move on.
Raptor packs are often referred to as “tactical study groups,” because the predators typically track and observe their prey for as long as five hours, studying their formation (if a group or herd), picking out the weakest/easiest targets (typically the smallest, sick/injured and stragglers), waiting for the most advantageous place and moment to strike, and often testing the prey with mock runs to see how it or they react. Then, the Raptors make adjustments for the real battle. They even use simple combat tactics like ambush, flanking, surprise and divide and conquer, and the Tiger Claw Raptors are among the most cunning and relentless of the various Raptor species.
The bigger the herd the Raptors target, the more daring and deadly the hunters become. For example, a pack of 4 – 6 are likely to back down to an equal number of humanoids, but a pack of 8 – 10 will make aggressive gestures and run at their human opponents to test their strength. Any sign of weakness will inspire a full on attack. Meanwhile, a pack of 12 – 16 are, generally, willing to take on any living creature, a dozen humans or even a Rex. A pack of 20 – 30 Tiger Claw Raptors will challenge a platoon of humanoids, but large groups are uncommon because there are too many challengers seeking to lead the pack, and too much infighting.
The leader and second in command of every pack will be the two largest females. Females are 20% larger than the males and have more S.D.C. and H.P. than a typical Raptor. They lay eggs once a year. Tiger Raptors are typically fearless in large packs.
ABILITIES
Excellent speed, can run without pause and without exhaustion for hours. Can go without food or water for two weeks without ill effect, eats live prey and carrion (frequently takes the kill of other lone predators or small groups). Can smell blood one mile (1.6 km) away, can track by blood scent. Cannot swim and tends to underestimate humanoid opponents.
HABITAT
Highly adaptable, Tiger Claw Raptors stalk almost any terrain from deserts, prairies and forests in the West, to the swamps, forests and ruins of the East. They only truly dislike cold climates and often migrate to warmer climes in the cold winter months. They also dislike mountainous terrain. They may be found in cooler northern areas but only during the hottest part of summer (typically a 3 – 5 week span from the middle of July to mid – August unless unseasonably warm), and always return to the South with the first chill in the air.