Troll
Large Giant · · CR 5
- Giant
- Large
- Tier 2
CR 5 large giant, chaotic evil — that's Troll. Native to arctic, forest, hill, mountain, swamp, and underground. Sourced from Monster Manual (5e 2014) and Monster Manual (5.5e 2024).
Stat Block
- Challenge Rating
- 5
- Type
- Giant
- Size
- Large
- Alignment
- —
- Speed
- —
- Habitats
- Arctic, Forest, Hill, Mountain, Swamp, Underground
- Sources
- Monster Manual (5e 2014), Monster Manual (5.5e 2024), Flee, Mortals!
Ecology
Trolls are voracious omnivores who eat anything organic: plants, fish, livestock, humanoids, even other trolls. Their regenerative metabolism demands massive caloric intake; a troll eats its own body-weight in food per week. They prefer cold-and-damp environments (swamps, fjord-caves, alpine forests) where prey is plentiful and competition low. They live solitary or in small family groups (mate plus offspring). Their territory radiates around a lair, often a cave or ruin, marked by piles of half-eaten bones the troll re-visits between hunts.
Behaviour
Trolls are dim but cunning, with low-end intelligence comparable to a clever child. They speak a primitive form of Giant. They mate aggressively; a female troll demands mate-fights and may kill weaker suitors. Offspring leave the lair at age ten, fully grown. Trolls have no laws or culture, only territory-claims. They fear fire and acid above all things, sometimes fleeing entire dungeons rather than face a known fire-source. They occasionally hire to giant or hag employers for raw meat as wages.
Origin
Troll origin myths vary by region. Northern sagas describe trolls as descendants of giants who lost a war against the gods and were cursed with regeneration as a torment (eternal life in horror). Southern folktales claim trolls are made by hags from drowned children. The truth may be that trolls are an ancient giantkin offshoot mutated by exposure to chaos-magic or a long-defunct deity's curse. Whatever their birth, trolls have roamed the world since before recorded history, multiplying steadily.
Related Monsters
Frequently Asked Questions about Troll
- What is the challenge rating of Troll?
- Troll is rated CR 5. The rating fits well-established adventuring parties.
- What type of creature is Troll?
- By creature type, Troll is a giant, large size.
- Where does Troll live?
- Troll's listed habitats include Arctic, Forest, Hill, Mountain, Swamp, Underground.