Creature Reference Back to Creatures

Ettin

Large · Giant · CR 4 · Chaotic Evil

Source. 5e 2024 Rules

12 (natural armor)

85 (10d10 + 30)

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 14

Saving Throws

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

Skills

Perception +4

Languages

Giant

Actions

Battleaxe

Cost 1

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

Melee Attack Roll: +7, reach 5 ft. 14 (2d8 + 5) Slashing damage. If the target is a Large or smaller creature, it has the Prone condition.

Morningstar

Cost 1

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

Melee Attack Roll: +7, reach 5 ft. 14 (2d8 + 5) Piercing damage, and the target has Disadvantage on the next attack roll it makes before the end of its next turn.

Multiattack

Cost 1

The ettin makes one Battleaxe attack and one Morningstar attack.

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 Giant. 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.