Creature Reference Back to Creatures

Ettin

Large · Giant · CR 4 · Chaotic Evil

Source. 5e 2014 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

Skills

Perception +4

Languages

Giant, Orc

Environments

Hills Mountain Ruins Underworld

Traits

Two Heads

The ettin has advantage on Wisdom (Perception) checks and on saving throws against being blinded, charmed, deafened, frightened, stunned, and knocked unconscious.

Wakeful

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

Actions

Battleaxe

Cost 1

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

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

Morningstar

Cost 1

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

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

Multiattack

Cost 1

The ettin makes two attacks: one with its battleaxe and one with its morningstar.

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, 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.