Creature Reference Back to Creatures

Ettin

Large · Giant · CR 4 · Chaotic Evil

Source. Black Flag SRD

12 (natural armor)

Ability Scores

Core attributes and their modifiers.

STR

DEX

-1

CON

INT

-2

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 10

Saving Throws

Strength +5 Dexterity -1 Constitution +3 Intelligence -2 Wisdom +0 Charisma -1

Languages

Giant,Orc

Resistances & Immunities

Damage Resistances

Giant Attributes,Multiple Heads

Damage Vulnerabilities

Giant Attributes

Traits

Giant Attributes

The ettin is resistant to the stunned condition, and it is vulnerable to the prone condition.

Multiple Heads

The ettin has two heads and is resistant to the blinded, charmed, deafened, frightened, stunned, and unconscious conditions.

Obstinate

The ettin has advantage on WIS and CHA saves.

Wakeful

When one of the ettin's heads is asleep, its other head is awake.

Actions

Knobbed Club

+7 to hit, reach 5 ft (1.5 m). Hit: 3d8+5 bludgeoning damage.

Melee Weapon Attack: +7 to hit, reach 5 ft., one target. Hit: 18 (3d8+5) bludgeoning damage, and the target must succeed on a DC 15 STR save or be incapacitated until the end of its next turn, as the blow knocks the wind out of the target. This weapon is wielded by the right head.

Multiattack

The ettin makes one Knobbed Club attack and one Spiked Club attack.

Spiked Club

+7 to hit, reach 5 ft (1.5 m). Hit: 3d8+5 piercing damage.

Melee Weapon Attack: +7 to hit, reach 5 ft., one target. Hit: 18 (3d8+5) piercing damage, and the target must succeed on a DC 15 CON save or be poisoned for 1 minute, as bits of rotten meat clinging to the club's spikes coat the target's wound. The target can repeat the save at the end of each of its turns, ending the effect on itself on a success. This weapon is wielded by the left head.

Bonus Actions

That One!

One of the ettin's heads picks a creature the ettin can see within 30 feet of it, gaining advantage on its next attack against that creature. The other head doesn't like being told what to do and has disadvantage on its next attack against that creature. Each weapon attack notes which head controls that weapon.

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 95 hit points (derived from None).

Ettin has communication capabilities including 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 Giant,Orc.