Creature Reference Back to Creatures

Rat, Giant

Small · Beast · CR 1/4 · Chaotic Evil

Source. Black Flag SRD

1/4

Ability Scores

Core attributes and their modifiers.

STR

-2

DEX

CON

INT

-4

WIS

CHA

-3

Overview

Category Monsters

Size Small

Type Beast

Alignment Chaotic Evil

XP 50

Initiative Bonus +3

Movement

Walk 30 ft (9.1 m)

Swim 30 ft (9.1 m)

Climb 15 ft (4.6 m)

Crawl 15 ft (4.6 m)

Senses

Darkvision 60 ft (18.3 m)

Passive Perception 10

Saving Throws

Strength -2 Dexterity +3 Constitution +0 Intelligence -4 Wisdom +0 Charisma -3

Languages

Traits

Accustomed to Filth

The rat has advantage on saves against contracting diseases.

Heightened Smell

The rat's Perception is 15 while perceiving by smell.

Pack Tactics

The rat has advantage on attack rolls against a creature if at least one of the rat's allies is within 5 feet of the creature and the ally isn't incapacitated.

Actions

Bite

+5 to hit, reach 5 ft (1.5 m). Hit: 1d4+3 piercing damage.

Melee Weapon Attack: +5 to hit, reach 5 ft., one target. Hit: 5 (1d4+3) piercing damage. If the target is a creature, it must make a DC 13 CON save. On a failure, the target contracts the rat plague disease (see Diseased Rats sidebar) or is poisoned until the end of its next turn (the GM's choice).

About Rat, Giant

Rat, Giant is a small beast with a Challenge Rating of 1/4. It has a chaotic evil alignment.

In combat, this creature maintains an Armor Class of 13 and possesses 14 hit points (derived from None).

Rat, Giant has communication capabilities including -. This allows it to interact verbally with various creatures and characters.

GM Tips: Using Rat, Giant

2 tips available

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

Aquatic Combat: This creature can swim at 30 ft. It has advantage in water environments. Consider fighting on land or using water-based spells against it.
Pack Tactics Advantage: This creature has advantage on attack rolls when an ally is within 5 feet! Separate it from its pack or use 'Fear' spells to scatter allies. Single-target encounters reduce its effectiveness.

Player Guide: Facing Rat, Giant

2 strategies available

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

Aquatic Combat Defense: This creature can swim at 30 ft! It has advantage in water. Fight on land if possible. Use 'Control Water' or drain water sources to limit its mobility.
Counter Pack Tactics: This creature has advantage when allies are nearby! Separate it from its pack. Use 'Fear' spells to scatter allies. Single-target encounters reduce its effectiveness.

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 2 (up to level 20) can face this creature in a medium to hard encounter.

Experience Point Thresholds:

Medium: 31 XP
Hard: 46 XP
Deadly: 62 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 Rat, Giant?: Rat, Giant has a Challenge Rating of 1/4, making it appropriate for parties of level 0.25.
What type of creature is Rat, Giant?: Rat, Giant is a Small Beast, which affects how certain spells and abilities interact with it.
What languages does Rat, Giant speak?: Rat, Giant can communicate in -.