Creature Reference Back to Creatures

Shadow Giant

Huge · Giant · CR 15 · Chaotic Evil

Source. Tome of Beasts 2

209 (22d20+66)

Ability Scores

Core attributes and their modifiers.

STR

DEX

CON

INT

WIS

CHA

Overview

Category Monsters

Size Huge

Type Giant

Alignment Chaotic Evil

XP 13000

Initiative Bonus +7

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 120 ft (36.6 m)

Passive Perception 16

Saving Throws

Wisdom +6

Skills

Perception +6

Languages

Common, Elvish, Giant, Umbral

Resistances & Immunities

Damage Resistances

cold, necrotic

Condition Immunities

exhaustion

Traits

Blacklight Strobe

The visual flicker of the shadow giant moving between the Material Plane and the Shadow Realm has a physical effect on viewers. A creature that starts its turn within 30 feet of the shadow giant and that can see it must succeed on a DC 18 Wisdom saving throw or be unable make more than one melee or ranged attack on its turn and unable to use bonus actions or reactions until the start of its next turn.

Distracting Flicker

A creature that starts its turn within 30 feet of the shadow giant and that is maintaining concentration on a spell must succeed on a DC 18 Constitution saving throw or lose concentration.

Plane

It can’t affect or be affected by anything on the Material Plane while in the Plane of Shadow.

Shadow from the Material Plane

At the start of its next turn, it returns to the Material Plane in an unoccupied space of its choice that it can see within 40 feet of the space where it vanished. If no unoccupied space is available within that range, it appears in the nearest unoccupied space.

While in the Plane of Shadow, the shadow giant can see and hear 120 feet into the Material

Shadow Sight

Magical darkness doesn’t impede the shadow giant’s darkvision.

Umbral Glimmer

At the end of each of the shadow giant’s turns, it must roll a d20. On a roll of 11 or higher, it enters the Plane of

Actions

Cold Shadow

Recharge 5–6

The shadow giant directs its shadow to stretch out in a 60-foot cone. Each creature in that area must make a DC 18 Constitution saving throw. On a failure, a creature takes 52 (15d6) cold damage and has disadvantage on attack rolls and saving throws until the end of its next turn. On a success, a creature takes half the damage and doesn't have disadvantage.

Multiattack

The shadow giant makes three attacks with its tenebrous talons.

Tenebrous Talons

+12 to hit, reach 10 ft (3 m). Hit: 2d6+7 plus 4d8 necrotic damage.

Melee Weapon Attack: +12 to hit, reach 10 ft., one target. Hit: 14 (2d6 + 7) slashing damage plus 18 (4d8) necrotic damage.

About Shadow Giant

Shadow Giant is a huge giant with a Challenge Rating of 15. It has a chaotic evil alignment.

In combat, this creature maintains an Armor Class of 17 and possesses 209 hit points (derived from 22d20+66).

Shadow Giant has communication capabilities including Common, Elvish, Giant, Umbral. This allows it to interact verbally with various creatures and characters.

GM Tips: Using Shadow Giant

1 tips available

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

Cold Damage Strategy: Cold-based attacks can slow or freeze. Prepare 'Heat Metal' or fire spells as countermeasures. Ice terrain can be used to create difficult terrain for melee characters.

Player Guide: Facing Shadow Giant

1 strategies available

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

Cold Damage Protection: This creature deals cold damage! Get cold resistance or use fire spells. Avoid water surfaces - they can freeze and create difficult terrain. 'Heat Metal' can counter cold.

Encounter Building Calculator

Standard Party Encounter (4-5 characters):

This creature is a medium encounter for a party of 4 characters of level 15.

Solo Encounter:

A single character of level 19 (up to level 20) can face this creature in a medium to hard encounter.

Experience Point Thresholds:

Medium: 24,000 XP
Hard: 36,000 XP
Deadly: 48,000 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 Shadow Giant?: Shadow Giant has a Challenge Rating of 15, making it appropriate for parties of level 15.0.
What type of creature is Shadow Giant?: Shadow Giant is a Huge Giant, which affects how certain spells and abilities interact with it.
What languages does Shadow Giant speak?: Shadow Giant can communicate in Common, Elvish, Giant, Umbral.