Summary

  • Some giants in the Dungeons & Dragons 5e module, Bigby Presents: Glory of the Giants, are subpar, while others are terrifying units of raw power.
  • The Fomorian Noble, Death Giants Shrouded One, Storm Giant Quintessant, Frost Giant Ice Shaper, Troll Amalgam, Fire Giant Forgecaller, Cloud Giant Destiny Gambler, Storm Giant Tempest Caller, and Gargantua are all powerful giants with unique abilities and characteristics.
  • It is wise to avoid engaging with Giant Scions, as they are incredibly deadly and not easily defeated, except for the Scion of Stronmaus who might be befriended but is still a dangerous opponent.

With the release of the Dungeons & Dragons 5e module, Bigby Presents: Glory of the Giants, a wonderful world of giants has been introduced to you and everyone you know. Some of the giants in this module are subpar and could probably be taken down with a mid-level party, but others are absolutely terrifying units of raw power that even a high-level part would struggle to overtake.

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The range of power giants can demonstrate is impressive, but it's unlikely you would ever see high CR giants readily working with their lower CR counterparts to try and take over the world.

10 Fomorian Noble, CR 15

Fomorian Nobles by Katerina Ladon (L), Evyn Fong (R)

The chances of you running into a Fomorian are probably fairly low if you keep yourself and your party out of the Underdark, but it's not impossible. The chances of you running into a Fomorian Noble are much higher, whether you're visiting the Inner Planes or sticking to the Material Plane.

They do occasionally like to visit the Material Plane to see how things are going, and their high intelligence and chaotic evil nature make them unpredictable, dangerous giants. These giant elven-looking characters primarily fight with spell casting rather than brute force, which makes them exceptionally challenging Giants who offer a unique enemy for Dungeon Masters to play around with.

9 Death Giants Shrouded One, CR 15

Death Giant Shrouded One by Carlo Arellano

If you want a goth giant, the Death Giants are the ones for you. They act as servants of the Raven Queen and the Death Giants Shrouded One has learned almost all of the secrets of Death Magic and readily wields them.

A shrouded one giant can be of any alignment, which means they could ultimately end up being very helpful to your party... or very dangerous. There's really no way to know until you happen upon a shrouded one, but at that point, it might end up being too late.

8 Storm Giant Quintessant, CR 16

Storm Giant Quintessent via Wizards of the Coast

Storm Giant Quintessants are mostly storm, partially giant. Running into one generally isn't a good thing because these giants have already taken extreme measures to avoid death and likely have very few moral boundaries to continue escaping their fate.

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They can only maintain their giant form for a short period of time, so there's a decent chance that you won't even be able to kill them if they shift back into a raging storm. Fortunately, their Chaotic Good nature should help to keep you and your party alive if you don't get on their bad side.

7 Frost Giant Ice Shaper, CR 17

 Frost Giant Ice Shaper by Ilya Shkipin

Frost Giant Ice Shapers wield elemental energy and ice-like deadly weapons, so even if you encounter one outside of an arctic environment (unlikely but not impossible), these giants are still exceedingly dangerous.

Given that these giants can have any alignment, it's not impossible to befriend one, but you won't know if they're friends or foes until they're already in killing range. You wouldn't want to face one of these giants, even at a high level, because they have more than a few tricks up their sleeves if they can cleverly utilize their elemental manipulation.

6 Troll Amalgam, CR 17

Troll Amalgam by Brian Valeza

Troll Amalgams are formed when a troll's healing generates bizarre mutations that can range from slight aberrations to completely horrifying monstrosities. Not only are they terrifying to look at, but Troll Amalgams have three legendary saves that they can expend per day, which makes them a tough fight even if you are well-prepared.

They are walking balls of hatred, teeth, and waving limbs, making getting in range of their giant forms incredibly dangerous and difficult to challenge. Plus, these monstrous giants are more than willing to rip off their own limbs and throw them after fleeing prey.

5 Fire Giant Forgecaller, CR18

Fire Giant Forgecaller by Ilya Shkipin

Like other dangerous giants, a Fire Giant Forgecaller can be of any alignment, which means that you could have a friendly giant cleric on your side or one who will stop at nothing until you and your group are dead. These giants can wield fire and magma as extremely deadly weapons that you may have thought were easily avoidable up until now.

Unfortunately, keeping your feet out of the lava is incredibly difficult when a Fire Giant Forgecaller can spray magma wherever they so please without much effort.

4 Cloud Giant Destiny Gambler, CR 19

Cloud Giant Destiny Gambler by Jabari Weathers

If there's any giant you probably don't want to make a bet with or gamble with, it's a Cloud Giant Destiny Gambler. They have very rarely, if ever, lost, and few plan on starting their losing streak anytime soon. They make wagers that would make most groups pale with fear, and if you're brave and have a low enough intelligence score, you probably won't hesitate to make an equally dangerous bet.

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If the terms of your gamble include a fight, you will quickly find yourself in over your head because these giants are just as likely to win the fight as they are to win the bet. They wield their magic and fists dangerously well, so you should probably avoid betting on a fight.

3 Storm Giant Tempest Caller, CR 20

Storm Giant Tempest Caller by Riccardo Moscatello

If you thought Storm Giants were dangerous enough, prepare yourself because Storm Giant Tempest Callers take it up several notches. They are so dangerous that even other Storm Giants would hesitate before challenging them if they dared to think about it in the first place.

They can easily see through magical deception and easily utilize a tempest to fight for them. You probably don't want to fight in ripping winds that could easily carry you off your feet, so think twice before you decide to fight a Storm Giant Tempest Caller.

2 Gargantua, CR 21

Gargantua by Eric Belisle

Gargantuas can be exceedingly gentle giants or incredibly violent, so be careful before you and your party approach one. They are incredibly rare and hard to find, and most seek peace, solitude, acceptance, or revenge for the world no longer having a place for them to belong.

These giants wield magic easily and can teleport at will, so while you think you could never lose them due to their astounding size, their teleportation will leave you absolutely baffled. At least, if their Weird Aura doesn't send you running for the hills in fear first.

1 Giant Scions, CR 22-27

Scion of the Stronmaus by Robson Michel

If you see a Giant Scion, you should just run. Don't stay to gawk, don't try to talk to them, just leave the area as soon as possible because you are so dead and you are not prepared to face them. The only Scion you might have a chance at befriending is the Scion of Stronmaus, and that's only because they are typically Chaotic Good.

Do you really want to take a chance on the word "typically?" No, you probably don't, especially because the Scion of Stronmaus is CR 27, and if they decide they don't like you, you're just dead.

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