Quick n00b question...

[Grynning]

What book is the Fleshraker, often mentioned pet/wild shape of doom, found in, and why are they considered so damn awesome?

[tyckspoon]

Monster Manual 3. They're awesome because they're Dinosaurs. And they have Super Pounce. When they charge, they get to make a trip attempt while attacking with all their natural weapons. All five poisonous natural weapons (I think. Four claws [Super Pounce includes Rake!] and a bite.)

[Bag_of_Holding]

Monster Manual III, page 40. Leaping Pounce (full-attack after charge) followed by a trip attempt, poison (1d6 dex damage, Fort DC 14) on 2 claws and the tail, rake attack to boot. Now what more do you want in a CR 2 creature? I think AC of 20 will look good on it, don't you think?

[daggaz]

they are so overpowered it is cheesy. CR 2? yeah right.

[Chronos]

...and why are they considered so damn awesome?

It's not just that they're awesome... They're far from the most powerful creature in D&D. It's that they're awesome and cheap. At only 2 HD, and the Animal type, they're easily available as an animal companion for even a low-level druid, and he can shift into one himself as soon as he can shift at all. By the time you get to, say, level 10, a Fleshraker is irrelevant... But at level 1?

[NEO|Phyte]

waitwaitwait, its Animal type, and only 2 HD?

Hellooooo lycanthropy!

[osyluth]

If you don't have MM III then its stats are in Exemplars of Evil too, as Thaden's animal companion.