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Giant Slayer

Giant Slayer
  • Category: Weapon (Any Simple or Martial)
  • Rarity: Rare

You gain a +1 bonus to attack rolls and damage rolls made with this magic weapon.

When you hit a Giant with this weapon, the Giant takes an extra 2d6 damage of the weapon's type and must succeed on a DC 15 Strength saving throw or have the Prone condition.

Tactical Applications​

Combat Strategy: +1 weapon that deals massive damage to giants (2d6 extra damage). When you roll maximum damage on the extra dice, you can roll again and add the result. Extremely specialized but devastating against giant-type enemies.

Class Synergies:

  • Fighters: Multiple attacks maximize chances for bonus damage and maximum damage rolls
  • Rangers: Giant as favored enemy creates devastating synergy
  • Paladins: Giant slaying damage stacks with divine smite for enormous burst potential
  • Any Martial Class: Universal benefit against giant threats

Build Considerations: Highly situational effectiveness - incredible against giants, standard +1 weapon otherwise. Most valuable in giant-heavy campaigns.

Acquisition Methods​

Crafting Requirements: Requires giant blood, specialized anti-giant enchantments, and weapons crafted specifically for giant warfare. Creation cost 10,000-18,000 gp and takes 3 months.

Common Sources:

  • Dwarven weaponsmiths specializing in anti-giant warfare
  • Treasure from defeated giant lords and chieftains
  • Rewards from communities plagued by giant threats
  • Commission from giant hunter guilds and military organizations
  • Found in ancient battlefields from giant wars

Alternative Acquisition: Sometimes discovered in giant ruins or obtained through trials involving giant combat expertise.

Value & Trade​

Estimated Value: 12,000-20,000 gp in giant-heavy regions, 8,000-12,000 gp in areas without giant threats.

Trade Considerations: Value fluctuates dramatically based on local giant activity. Extremely valuable to giant hunters and frontier communities.

Character Integration​

Roleplay Elements: Suggests experience in giant warfare, specialization in hunting large creatures, or connection to communities threatened by giants.

Character Concepts:

  • Professional giant hunter with specialized training
  • Dwarven warrior carrying ancestral anti-giant weapons
  • Frontier defender protecting settlements from giant raids
  • Military specialist trained in large creature combat

Adventure Hooks​

The Giant Invasion: Defending territories against organized giant attacks where specialized weapons provide crucial advantages.

The Giant King's Treasure: Infiltrating giant strongholds where anti-giant weapons enable survival against overwhelming odds.

The Ancient War: Discovering battlefields from historical giant conflicts and their connection to current threats.

The Hunter's Contract: Professional giant hunting missions requiring specialized equipment and expertise.

Variants & Customization​

Greater Giant Slayer (Very Rare): +2 weapon with enhanced damage dice and additional effects against giant-type creatures.

Dragon Slayer (Very Rare): Similar concept but specialized against dragons rather than giants.

Specialized Giant Slayers (Rare): Versions optimized for specific giant types (fire, frost, storm, etc.).

Specialized Variants:

  • Titan Slayer: Enhanced for the largest giant types and primordial beings
  • Chieftain's Bane: Optimized for giant leaders and spellcasting giants
  • Siege Breaker: Enhanced effectiveness against giant war machines and fortifications

Lore & History​

Origins: Forged during ancient wars between smaller races and giant empires, when specialized weapons meant survival.

Historical Significance: These weapons enabled smaller civilizations to defend against giant domination and carved out safe territories.

Cultural Impact: Represent the triumph of skill and specialization over raw size and strength.

Magical Craft: Demonstrates understanding of giant physiology and the creation of weapons specifically designed to exploit giant weaknesses.

Balancing Notes​

Introduction Timing: Appropriate for levels 7-13 when giant encounters become common and specialized weapons provide meaningful advantages.

Campaign Impact: Extremely powerful in giant-focused campaigns, standard magical weapon in other settings.

Situational Effectiveness: Players should understand the weapon's specialized nature and plan accordingly.

Encounter Design​

Recommended Challenges:

  • Combat encounters featuring giant-type enemies where the weapon excels
  • Giant stronghold infiltrations requiring specialized anti-giant tactics
  • Large-scale battles where giant forces pose primary threats
  • Campaigns focused on the eternal conflict between small and large races

Tactical Adjustments: Giant enemies may develop tactics to counter known giant slayer wielders.

Specialized Weapons: Dragon Slayer, Oathbow, and other weapons designed for specific enemy types.

Anti-Giant Equipment:

  • Items that provide advantages against large creatures
  • Equipment for hunting and combat against giant-type enemies
  • Tools for navigating giant-sized environments and structures

Complementary Equipment: Items that enhance damage output or provide protection against giant attacks.

Roleplay Opportunities​

Giant Hunter Reputation: Characters develop recognition as specialists in giant combat and large creature hunting.

Cultural Heritage: Weapon may connect to family or cultural history of giant conflicts and resistance.

Tactical Expertise: Specialization in anti-giant warfare creates unique knowledge and strategic insights.