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Giant Hyena

Large · Beast · CR 1 · Chaotic Evil

Source. Monstrous Menagerie

34 (4d10+12)

Ability Scores

Core attributes and their modifiers.

STR

DEX

CON

INT

-4

WIS

CHA

-2

Overview

Category Monsters

Size Large

Type Beast

Alignment Chaotic Evil

XP 200

Initiative Bonus +2

Movement

Walk 50 ft (15.2 m)

Swim 25 ft (7.6 m)

Climb 25 ft (7.6 m)

Crawl 25 ft (7.6 m)

Senses

Darkvision 30 ft (9.1 m)

Passive Perception 13

Skills

Perception +3

Actions

Bite

+4 to hit, reach 5 ft (1.5 m). Hit: 2d6+2 piercing damage.

Melee Weapon Attack: +4 to hit, reach 5 ft., one target. Hit: 9 (2d6+2) piercing damage. If this damage reduces the target to 0 hit points the hyena can use its bonus action to move half its Speed and make a second bite attack.

About Giant Hyena

Giant Hyena is a large beast with a Challenge Rating of 1. It has a chaotic evil alignment.

In combat, this creature maintains an Armor Class of 12 and possesses 34 hit points (derived from 4d10+12).

GM Tips: Using Giant Hyena

2 tips available

When using Giant Hyena 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 Giant Hyena

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 1.

Solo Encounter:

A single character of level 3 (up to level 20) can face this creature in a medium to hard encounter.

Experience Point Thresholds:

Medium: 200 XP
Hard: 300 XP
Deadly: 400 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 Giant Hyena?: Giant Hyena has a Challenge Rating of 1, making it appropriate for parties of level 1.0.
What type of creature is Giant Hyena?: Giant Hyena is a Large Beast, which affects how certain spells and abilities interact with it.