This is the beta-version. I am open to another name. What's b/s? What's too powerful? What information is lacking? Is this too difficult to use?

Falling-Net Spider

This huge spider is something that ought not to exist; unfortunately for less alert hunters and foragers, it does. The Falling-Net Spider, like many mundane spiders, weaves ingenious traps despite an inability to think or reason. It has the ability to weave cords of web of varying thicknesses as necessary. These webs are not particularly sticky, though. Thus, the Falling-Net Spider relies on entanglement for its trapping.

The spider will weave a great web of erratic shape; as irregular polygons and/or curves. The shape isn’t as important as area of coverage. It typically weaves a pattern that covers a 10’x10’ area. The perimeter of the ring is a semi-rigid, 2-inch diameter cord of thick webbing, providing a semi-stable form for the net. While weaving the net, the spider connects suspension points along the web perimeter to a strong central cord that comes up from the center of the net. It will then expel more length of this thick cord, climb a tree canopy (or other elevation) and hoist the net. From there, the spider will expel as much cord as necessary to reach a vantage point.

The final element of the trap is the expulsion of some venom on the ground beneath the net. The venom is actually a volatile organic compound, mimicking the odor of mast for herbivore fauna. With the bait placed, the spider retreats to its vantage point and waits to cut the cord.

Once prey is entangled, the Falling-Net Spider rushes forth to bite its prey. The venom is a great mercy to the prey, despite the pain of being impaled with terrible fangs nearly a foot long. It is first a fast paralytic, immobilizing the prey and short-circuiting its nervous system (and so it quickly loses all sense of pain), and inducing unconsciousness in 1 round per 25 lbs. of mass of the prey. Thus, even the largest of pheasants loses consciousness in 1 round, but a wild boar might take as many as 8 rounds before full paralysis and unconsciousness sets in. If excessive prey is captured, it will cocoon the extras and suspend them in the tree canopies for future consumption.

The real horror begins after the prey passes out, and it is slow and gruesome. Gradually, the innards of the prey begin to liquify. The full process takes 24 hours. For the first 6 hours, organs have suffered surface damage but might heal over time if treated. After 6 hours, however, no mundane healing will restore organs to functionality, and after the full 24-hour period, the spider is ready to sink its fangs into the belly of its prey and drink the grim nourishment. It will leave the husk, and once it has nothing left to eat, the spider moves to a new location, properly sated. 200 lbs. of prey will sustain the spider for 1 week.

The Falling-Net Spider is shy and will flee conflict rather than fight, unless its meals are threatened. When fighting, it employs two main tactics. In its simplest form of aggression, the spider faces prey head-on, leaving its chiton-covered head facing its foe, as it is its best-defended body part, as are the front four chiton-covered legs. In this stance, it simply seeks to lunge and bite.

Its deadlier form of attack also exposes its more vulnerable body parts. The spider will very quickly rear up on its hind legs, spread its forelegs, and pounce onto its prey. With a successful Grab, it rolls onto its back and wraps all eight legs around the prey, then bites in Close combat with its deadly, venomous fangs. This tactic is ill-suited against multiple opponents (as it will be considered prone) and is quite vulnerable to the Counterstrike defense.