Creature Reference Back to Creatures

Giant Hyena

Large · Beast · CR 1 · Unaligned

Source. 5e 2014 Rules

45 (6d10+12)

Ability Scores

Core attributes and their modifiers.

STR

DEX

CON

INT

-4

WIS

CHA

-2

Overview

Category Monsters

Size Large

Type Beast

Alignment Unaligned

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

Passive Perception 13

Skills

Perception +3

Environments

Desert Forest or Jungle Grassland or Plains Hills Ruins Shadowfell

Traits

Rampage

When the hyena reduces a creature to 0 hit points with a melee attack on its turn, the hyena can take a bonus action to move up to half its speed and make a bite attack.

Actions

Bite

Cost 1

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

Melee Weapon Attack: +5 to hit, reach 5 ft., one target. Hit: 10 (2d6 + 3) piercing damage.

About Giant Hyena

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

In combat, this creature maintains an Armor Class of 12 and possesses 45 hit points (derived from 6d10+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.