Frost Giants
Frozen Reavers of Blood and Battle
Frost Giants are towering, frost-rimed hunters and raiders who live for the glory of battle, the thrill of the chase, and the revel of feast and fire. They roam glacial wastes and snow-choked peaks, where strength is the only law and death in combat is the only noble end.
Frost Giants carve the handles of their frost axes from the bones of gigantic creatures they have hunted and slain, measuring their worth by the mightiest foe they have bested. When raiding settlements, they disdain gold, preferring glorious battle, barrels of mead, and capturing livestock. The wisest Rimepriests speak to the old spirits of storm and sea, and seek out fortuitous targets for the next raid.
Frost Giant Lore
- Frost Giants are primal hunters, raiders, and reavers who prize strength above all else.
- They respect only personal might and fortitude. Leadership is earned through competition, not by birth.
- After a victorious hunt or raid, they gorge themselves in primal feasts of meat and mead.
- They rarely hoard gold, preferring trophies of battle and conquest
Frost Giant Tactics
Frost giants prefer to engage up close and personal, using powers like Avalanche Charge to close the distance and lay the hurt on enemies with big hits like Big Windup, Crush the Insect, and Earthshaker.
Their icy nature can control and slow down the party with abilities like Winter's Shroud and Hoarfrost
As hunters, frost giants also have some ranged abilities like Boulder, Toss, and Grab and Go.
Frost giants seek out worhty opponents with abilities like Glory of the Hunt and Chilling Challenge.
Frost Giant Statblocks
From brutal frontline reavers to titanic warlords and rune-bound priests, these frost giant statblocks are ready to unleash winter's wrath in your 5E campaign.
Frost Giant Reaver
A blood-hungry raider wielding frost-forged weapons and hunting instincts honed by many years in the frozen wastes. Frost Giant Reavers live for the clash of blades and the roar of storms.
Frost Giant Reaver
Summoned with Foe FoundryHuge Giant (Frost Giant)
AC 14 (Patchwork Armor) Initiative +2 (12)
HP 161 (14d12 + 70)
Speed 40 ft.
| Mod | Save | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Str | 23 | +6 | +9 |
| Dex | 9 | -1 | -1 |
| Con | 20 | +5 | +8 |
| Mod | Save | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Int | 9 | -1 | -1 |
| Wis | 10 | +0 | +3 |
| Cha | 14 | +2 | +5 |
Skills Athletics +9, Perception +3, Survival +3
Immunities Cold
Senses Passive Perception 13
Languages Common, Giant
CR 8 (3,900 XP; PB +3)
Actions
Multiattack. The frost giant makes two Biting Greataxe attacks. It may replace one attack with a use of its Infused Net.
Biting Greataxe. Melee Weapon Attack: +9 to hit, reach 10ft., one target. Hit 19 (2d12 + 6) slashing damage and 7 (2d6) cold damage. On a hit, the target is pushed up to 20 feet horizontally.
Infused Net (1/day). The frost giant throws a net at a point they can see within 30 feet. Each creature within 10 feet must make a DC 15 Strength save. On a failure, they are Grappled (escape DC 15) and Restrained while grappled in this way. The net has AC 16 and 25 hp. A creature grappled in this way suffers 5 ongoing cold damage at the start of each of its turn, and whenever the creature attempts to cast a spell it must succeed on a DC 15 concentration check. On a failure, the spell fails.
Winter's Shroud (Recharge 5-6). The frost giant exhales freezing fog in a 30-foot cone. Each creature in the area must make a DC 17 Constitution saving throw or take 32 (13d4) cold damage. The area becomes heavily obscured, as under the effects of a Fog Cloud spell, though the frost giant can see through this fog as if it were clear.
Bonus Actions
Cleaving Blows (1/day). Immediately after the the frost giant hits with a weapon attack, it may make the same attack against another target within its reach.
Frost Giant Challenger
A Frost Giant Challenger is a towering duelist who seeks worthy foes to crush in ritual combat. They adorn themselves with the trophies of fallen beasts and rivals alike.
Frost Giant Challenger
Summoned with Foe FoundryHuge Giant (Frost Giant)
AC 14 (Patchwork Armor) Initiative +3 (13)
HP 172 (15d12 + 75)
Speed 40 ft.
| Mod | Save | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Str | 23 | +6 | +10 |
| Dex | 9 | -1 | -1 |
| Con | 20 | +5 | +9 |
| Mod | Save | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Int | 9 | -1 | -1 |
| Wis | 10 | +0 | +4 |
| Cha | 14 | +2 | +6 |
Skills Athletics +10, Perception +4, Survival +4
Immunities Cold
Senses Passive Perception 14
Languages Common, Giant
CR 10 (5,900 XP; PB +4)
Traits
Arctic Chill. Any creature who starts their turn within 10 feet of the frost giant takes 10 (4d4) cold damage.
Actions
Multiattack. The frost giant makes two Biting Greataxe attacks. It may replace one attack with a use of its Challenge.
Biting Greataxe. Melee Weapon Attack: +10 to hit, reach 10ft., one target. Hit 19 (2d12 + 6) slashing damage and 12 (5d4) cold damage. On a hit, the target is knocked Prone
Challenge. The frost giant challenges another creature within 30 feet to the duel. The duel concludes when one of the targets is reduced to 0 hit points, is incapacitated, or dies. Any creature not part of the duel has disadvantage on attack rolls against the frost giant and the frost giant has advantage on any saves against effects or abilities caused by any creature not in the duel. The frost giant may only have one active duel at a time.
Reactions
Big Windup. Whenever a creature hits the frost giant with a melee attack, The frost giant readies a powerful strike against its attacker. The frost giant has advantage on the next attack it makes against the attacker before the end of its next turn.
Frost Giant Rimepriest
A storm-caller and rune-witch, the Frost Giant Rimepriest bends wind and ice to their will. Cloaked in frost and crowned with runic sigils of ancient power, she seeks out the next target for the clan's reavers.
Frost Giant Rimepriest
Summoned with Foe FoundryHuge Giant (Frost Giant)
AC 14 (Patchwork Armor) Initiative +3 (13)
HP 200 (16d12 + 96)
Speed 40 ft.
| Mod | Save | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Str | 16 | +3 | +7 |
| Dex | 9 | -1 | -1 |
| Con | 22 | +6 | +10 |
| Mod | Save | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Int | 12 | +1 | +1 |
| Wis | 22 | +6 | +10 |
| Cha | 14 | +2 | +6 |
Skills Insight +10, Perception +10
Immunities Cold
Senses Passive Perception 20
Languages Common, Giant
CR 12 (8,400 XP; PB +4)
Actions
Multiattack. The frost giant makes two Arctic Blast attacks.
Arctic Blast. Ranged Spell Attack: +10 to hit, range 90ft., one target. Hit 37 (7d8 + 6) cold damage. On a hit, the target must make a DC 16 Constitution save or be Frozen (escape DC 16). A Frozen creature is partially encased in ice. It has a movement speed of zero, attacks made against it are at advantage, and it is vulnerable to bludgeoning and thunder damage. A creature may use an action to perform a DC 16 Strength (Athletics) check to break the ice and end the condition. The condition also ends whenever the creature takes any bludgeoning, thunder, or fire damage. A creature that is immune to being Restrained cannot be Frozen
Biting Frost (Recharge 5-6). The frost giant creates a Medium Biting Frost Token (AC/DC 15, 3 Charges) in an unoccupied space within 30 feet. Each creature that starts its turn within a 30 foot emanation of the Biting Frost takes 16 (3d10) cold damage.
Spellcasting. The frost giant casts one of the following spells, using Wisdom as the spellcasting ability (spell save DC 18):
1/day each: EntangleȻ, Faerie FireȻ, Plant Growth, Ice Storm (5th), Moonbeamc (5th)
Bonus Actions
Spirit Chains Totem (1/day). The frost giant creates a Spirit Chains Totem Token (AC/DC 15, 3 Charges) in an unoccupied space within 5 feet. Whenever a hostile creature ends its turn within 30 feet of the totem, it must make a DC 15 Wisdom saving throw. On a failure, the creature is Restrained (save ends at end of turn).
Frost Giant Thane
A Frost Giant Thane is a legendary warlord, leading their reavers into the fray from the front. The Thane is both feared and admired by all who march beneath their frosty banner.
Frost Giant Thane
Summoned with Foe FoundryHuge Giant (Frost Giant)
AC 14 (Patchwork Armor) Initiative +4 (14)
HP 256 (19d12 + 133)
Speed 40 ft.
| Mod | Save | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Str | 26 | +8 | +13 |
| Dex | 9 | -1 | -1 |
| Con | 24 | +7 | +12 |
| Mod | Save | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Int | 9 | -1 | -1 |
| Wis | 10 | +0 | +5 |
| Cha | 14 | +2 | +7 |
Skills Athletics +13, Perception +5, Survival +5
Immunities Cold
Senses Passive Perception 15
Languages Common, Giant
CR 16 (15,000 XP; PB +5)
Traits
Arctic Chill. Any creature who starts their turn within 10 feet of the frost giant takes 15 (6d4) cold damage.
Fanatic Followers. Whenever the frost giant would be hit by an attack, they command an ally within 5 feet to use its reaction to switch places with the frost giant. The ally is hit by the attack instead. If the ally is killed by this attack, then the frost giant gains 25 temporary hp.
Actions
Multiattack. The frost giant makes two Biting Greataxe attacks.
Biting Greataxe. Melee Weapon Attack: +13 to hit, reach 10ft., one target. Hit 34 (4d12 + 8) slashing damage and 20 (8d4) cold damage. On a hit, the target is pushed up to 20 feet horizontally.
Bonus Actions
Glory of the Hunt. the frost giant boasts about its most legendary kill, granting itself 50 temporary hit points and advantage on attacks until the start of its next turn. If an opponent can truthfully boast of a more impressive kill or successfully deceive the frost giant (DC 13 Deception check), then the frost giant loses the temporary hit points, has disadvantage on d20 tests until the end of its next turn, and can no longer use this ability.
Stunning Blow (Recharge 6). Immediately after the frost giant hits with a weapon attack, it may force the target to succeed on a DC 21 Constitution save or be Stunned until the end of the the frost giant's next turn.
Frost Giant Encounter Ideas
Drop these frost giant encounters directly into your 5E session. Each one is a flexible, open-ended situation designed for instant use: whether you need a roaming warband, a dueling warrior, or a storm-summoning ritual to disrupt.
- A lone Frost Giant Reaver howls in triumph over the corpse of a slain Remorhaz. It offers a toast to the party and demands they trade tales of slain foes.
- A frost-covered longship creaks ashore from a frozen lake or seashore. A band of Frost Giant Reavers emerges, ready to pillage the coast.
- A Frost Giant Challenger is preparing to hunt a nearby Young White Dragon and considers whether the party will be help or hindrance
- A Frost Giant Rimepriest performs an epic blizzard-summoning ritual atop a mountain-top shrine. Her Frost Giant Reaver guards feast on roasted mammoth and pilfered wine casks.
Frost Giant Adventure Ideas
These frost giant adventure hooks are built for multi-session arcs. Each one provides an open-ended seed you can shape to fit your ongoing 5E campaign.
- An aging Frost Giant Reaver seeks a glorious death in battle, but refuses to fall to an unworthy foe. The giant, hearing of the party's reputation, begins tracking the PCs down in search of worthy foes.
- An important magical item the party seeks is the prized possession of a Frost Giant Challenger, who will only part with the item if the PCs help him defeat a dastardly group of Hags that have entangled him in their wicked machinations.
- A Frost Giant Rimepriest has foreseen that an ancient evil (Balor Dreadlord) bound deep beneath a frozen glacier will soon break free. Only the PCs, the prophecied heros of legend, have a chance to stop the imminent calamity.
- A Frost Giant Thane amasses a great host by uniting scattered clans under his rule by defeating the leader of each clan in ritual combat. The party must put an end to the threat before the reavers are unstoppable.
FAQ: Frost Giants in 5E
What are the stats for a Frost Giant in 5E?
A standard Frost Giant in 5E (CR 8) has 14 AC, around 160 HP, and a Strength score of 23. They attack with a massive frozen greataxe.
Are there different types of Frost Giants in 5E?
Yes! Foe Foundry offers multiple frost giant variants, including the brutal Frost Giant Reaver, honorable Frost Giant Challenger, frozen-hearted Frost Giant Rimepriest, and terrifying Frost Giant Thane.
Where do Frost Giants appear in published adventures?
Frost Giants play a major role in Storm King's Thunder, leading raids across the north. They also feature in the classic Against the Giants series, particularly in the Glacial Rift of the Frost Giant Jarl. The Foe Foundry Frost Giants are perfect drop-in statblocks for any giant-themed adventure or campaign.