Goliath 5e: Traits, Giant Ancestry Options and Best Builds (2024)
In the 2024 rules, goliaths are Medium humanoids with a 35-foot speed, tied with wood elves for the fastest among core species. They pick one Giant Ancestry boon, such as an extra 1d10 fire damage or a 30-foot teleport, usable a number of times equal to their Proficiency Bonus. At level 5 they can grow to Large for 10 minutes.
What traits does a goliath get in 5e?
The goliath went from a supplement species to one of the stars of the 2024 Player's Handbook. Every goliath picks a giant ancestor and gets a boon from it several times a day, moves faster than anyone else at the table, and can grow to giant size at level 5. If you're stuck on a name, the D&D name generator has goliath names.
| Trait | 2024 rules (PHB 2024 / SRD 5.2) | Pre-2024 versions (Volo's 2016 / Monsters of the Multiverse 2022) |
|---|---|---|
| Creature type and size | Humanoid, Medium (about 7 to 8 feet) | Humanoid, Medium |
| Speed | 35 ft. | 30 ft. |
| Ability scores | From your background | Volo's: +2 Strength, +1 Constitution. Multiverse: +2/+1 or +1/+1/+1 anywhere |
| Giant Ancestry | One of six boons, uses = Proficiency Bonus per Long Rest | Only Stone's Endurance |
| Large Form | Level 5: become Large for 10 minutes, once per Long Rest | None |
| Powerful Build | Advantage on checks to end Grappled; count as one size larger for carrying | Count as one size larger for carrying, pushing, dragging, lifting |
| Athletics proficiency | None from species | Yes |
| Mountain Born | None | Resistance to cold damage; used to high altitude |
The goliath is not in the 2014 Player's Handbook. Tables using 2014 rules usually use the Volo's Guide to Monsters or Monsters of the Multiverse version. In 2024, languages come from character creation, not from your species.
Which Giant Ancestry should you choose?
Pick one boon at level 1. You can use it a number of times equal to your Proficiency Bonus (2 at level 1, 3 at level 5, 4 at level 9, 5 at level 13, 6 at level 17) and regain all uses on a Long Rest.
| Ancestry | Trigger | Effect | Average |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cloud's Jaunt (cloud giant) | Bonus Action | Teleport up to 30 ft. to a space you can see | – |
| Fire's Burn (fire giant) | You hit with an attack roll and deal damage | +1d10 Fire damage | 5.5 |
| Frost's Chill (frost giant) | You hit with an attack roll and deal damage | +1d6 Cold damage and target's Speed −10 ft. until your next turn starts | 3.5 |
| Hill's Tumble (hill giant) | You hit a Large or smaller creature with an attack roll and deal damage | Target has the Prone condition | – |
| Stone's Endurance (stone giant) | Reaction when you take damage | Reduce the damage by 1d12 + Constitution modifier | 9.5 with Con +3 |
| Storm's Thunder (storm giant) | Reaction when a creature within 60 ft. damages you | 1d8 Thunder damage to that creature | 4.5 |
- Hill's Tumble: the strongest for melee. A Prone target gives every ally in melee Advantage on attacks against it, and it has to spend half its movement to stand up. One hit from your first attack sets up the whole party's turn. It doesn't work on Huge or Gargantuan creatures, so it fades a little at high levels against dragons and giants.
- Cloud's Jaunt: the most flexible. A Bonus Action teleport gets you out of a grapple, across a chasm, onto a ledge or straight next to the enemy caster. Great for rogues, monks and casters.
- Fire's Burn: simple, steady damage. 1d10 on top of a hit, at a time you choose (after you know you hit). Fire is the damage type monsters resist most often, so check before you rely on it against fiends.
- Stone's Endurance: excellent for tanks at low level. At level 1 with Constitution 16, it absorbs 1d12 + 3 (9.5 on average), close to the whole hit point total of a level 1 wizard. It costs your Reaction, so it competes with opportunity attacks.
- Frost's Chill: the extra damage is small, but slowing a fast enemy by 10 feet can keep it from reaching the back line.
- Storm's Thunder: punishes anyone who hits you, including at range. Weakest of the six for damage, but fun on a front-liner.
Example: Fire's Burn on a level 1 barbarian
A goliath barbarian with Strength 17 swings a greataxe while raging: 1d12 + 3 + 2 (Rage) = 11.5 average on a hit. Adding Fire's Burn makes it 17 on that hit, enough to drop a 10-HP goblin warrior outright most of the time. With 2 uses at level 1, that's about 11 extra damage per Long Rest; by level 17 it's 6 uses, or 33 extra damage per day. Check the dice with the d10 roller or the dice calculator.
How does Large Form work?
From character level 5, take a Bonus Action to grow to Large size, if there is room. It lasts 10 minutes, ends when you choose (no action needed) and you get it once per Long Rest. While Large:
- You have Advantage on all Strength checks, including Athletics checks to grapple or shove.
- Your Speed rises by 10 feet, to 45 feet for most goliaths.
- You take up a 10-by-10-foot space, so you block more of a corridor, and you can grapple larger creatures.
Large Form does not add damage dice or reach. It is a mobility and grappling tool. A goliath fighter who grapples and shoves gets the most out of it; see grappling in 5e for how those rules work.
What does Powerful Build do?
Two things. First, you have Advantage on any ability check you make to end the Grappled condition, which makes you hard to pin down. Second, you count as one size larger when working out carrying capacity, which doubles how much you can carry. A goliath with Strength 17 carries up to 510 pounds instead of 255. In practice: you're the party's pack mule and you can haul the unconscious paladin out of the dungeon.
What are the best classes for a goliath?
- Barbarian: the natural fit. Reckless Attack gives Advantage, so you hit often and trigger Fire's Burn or Hill's Tumble reliably. Large Form helps you grapple.
- Fighter: more attacks per turn means more chances to land Hill's Tumble early in the round, so the rest of your attacks get Advantage.
- Paladin: Fire's Burn stacks with Divine Smite on the same hit. Stone's Endurance helps a tank who sits in the front line.
- Monk: 35-foot speed plus Unarmored Movement is very fast, and many small hits help you land Hill's Tumble.
- Rogue: Cloud's Jaunt gives a second escape option on top of Cunning Action.
- Casters: any caster can be a goliath in 2024, since ability scores come from your background. Cloud's Jaunt or Stone's Endurance are the best picks for a wizard or warlock.
Quick build: goliath barbarian (level 1)
- Ancestry: Hill's Tumble (knock enemies Prone so the party gets Advantage) or Fire's Burn (more damage, no setup).
- Background: Soldier, putting +2 Strength and +1 Constitution; it also gives the Savage Attacker feat.
- Scores (standard array plus background): Strength 17, Dexterity 13, Constitution 15, Intelligence 8, Wisdom 12, Charisma 10.
- Hit points and AC: 12 + 2 = 14 HP; Unarmored Defense AC 10 + 1 + 2 = 13 (add a shield for 15).
- Weapon: greataxe, +5 to hit, 1d12 + 3 slashing (1d12 + 5 while raging).
Roll your scores with the stat roller, or build the full sheet with the character generator.
Is the goliath good in 5e?
The 2024 goliath is one of the best species for martial characters. The 35-foot speed is always on, the ancestry boon comes back on a Long Rest with several uses, and Large Form gives a strong level 5 bump. It lost the old cold resistance and free Athletics proficiency, but gained far more. For a different take on the big warrior, compare the dragonborn or the sturdy dwarf, or browse every option on the species page.
FAQ
What is the best Giant Ancestry for a goliath?
Hill's Tumble (knock a Large or smaller target Prone on a hit) and Cloud's Jaunt (Bonus Action 30-foot teleport) are the strongest for most builds. Fire's Burn is the simplest damage boost at 1d10 (5.5 average) per use.
Can a goliath become Large in 5e?
Yes, in the 2024 rules. From character level 5, a goliath can take a Bonus Action to become Large for 10 minutes, gaining Advantage on Strength checks and 10 extra feet of speed. It works once per Long Rest.
Is the goliath in the 2014 Player's Handbook?
No. Before 2024 the goliath appeared only in supplements, including the Elemental Evil Player's Companion, Volo's Guide to Monsters and Mordenkainen Presents: Monsters of the Multiverse. The 2024 Player's Handbook made it a core species.
What does Powerful Build do in 2024?
You have Advantage on ability checks to escape a grapple, and you count as one size larger for carrying capacity, which doubles how much you can carry.
How tall is a goliath in 5e?
The 2024 Player's Handbook puts goliaths at about 7 to 8 feet tall. They are still Medium size unless they use Large Form.
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