Creature Reference Back to Creatures

Ettin

Large · Giant · CR 4 · Chaotic Evil

Source. Monstrous Menagerie

85 (10d10+30)

Ability Scores

Core attributes and their modifiers.

STR

DEX

-1

CON

INT

-1

WIS

CHA

-1

Overview

Category Monsters

Size Large

Type Giant

Alignment Chaotic Evil

XP 1100

Initiative Bonus -1

Movement

Walk 40 ft (12.2 m)

Swim 20 ft (6.1 m)

Climb 20 ft (6.1 m)

Crawl 20 ft (6.1 m)

Senses

Darkvision 60 ft (18.3 m)

Passive Perception 12

Saving Throws

Strength +7 Constitution +5

Skills

Perception +2

Languages

Common, Giant, Orc

Traits

Reactive Heads

The ettin can take two reactions each round, but not more than one per turn.

Two Heads

While both heads are awake, the ettin has advantage on Perception checks and on saving throws against being blinded, charmed, deafened, frightened, stunned, and knocked unconscious, and it can't be flanked.

Wakeful

When one of the ettins heads is asleep, the other is awake.

Actions

Axe Whirl

1/day

The ettin makes a battleaxe attack against each creature within 10 feet.

Battleaxe

+7 to hit, reach 5 ft (1.5 m). Hit: 2d8+5 slashing damage.

Melee Weapon Attack: +7 to hit, reach 5 ft., one target. Hit: 14 (2d8 + 5) slashing damage.

Club

+7 to hit, reach 5 ft (1.5 m). Hit: 2d8+5 bludgeoning damage.

Melee Weapon Attack: +7 to hit, reach 5 ft., one target. Hit: 14 (2d8 + 5) bludgeoning damage. If the target is a creature and the ettin is bloodied the target makes a DC 15 Strength check and is knocked prone on a failure.

Multiattack

The ettin makes a battleaxe attack and a club attack.

Rock

+7 to hit, range 30/90 ft (9.1/27.4 m). Hit: 3d10+5 bludgeoning damage.

Ranged Weapon Attack: +7 to hit, range 30/90 ft., one target. Hit: 21 (3d10 + 5) bludgeoning damage.

About Ettin

Ettin is a large giant with a Challenge Rating of 4. It has a chaotic evil alignment.

In combat, this creature maintains an Armor Class of 12 and possesses 85 hit points (derived from 10d10+30).

Ettin has communication capabilities including Common, Giant, Orc. This allows it to interact verbally with various creatures and characters.

GM Tips: Using Ettin

2 tips available

When using Ettin in your D&D 5e campaign, consider these tactical approaches:

Mid-level Encounter: Ideal for parties levels 3-8 as solo or small groups
Terrain Advantage: Use terrain to offset moderate combat abilities

Player Guide: Facing Ettin

2 strategies available

When your party encounters this creature, keep these strategies in mind:

Moderate Threat: Prepare standard combat tactics
Tactical Advantage: Use terrain and positioning

Encounter Building Calculator

Standard Party Encounter (4-5 characters):

This creature is a medium encounter for a party of 4 characters of level 4.

Solo Encounter:

A single character of level 6 (up to level 20) can face this creature in a medium to hard encounter.

Experience Point Thresholds:

Medium: 2,000 XP
Hard: 3,000 XP
Deadly: 4,000 XP

Based on D&D 5e Dungeon Master's Guide encounter building guidelines. CR roughly equals party level for medium encounters.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the challenge rating of Ettin?: Ettin has a Challenge Rating of 4, making it appropriate for parties of level 4.0.
What type of creature is Ettin?: Ettin is a Large Giant, which affects how certain spells and abilities interact with it.
What languages does Ettin speak?: Ettin can communicate in Common, Giant, Orc.