This post , asking about how to use giants in interesting ways other than just a bags of hit points, generated a bit of thought on XTwitter. My knee jerk reaction is just to use the rules that already exist.

I’ve spoken previously about the AD&D grappling rules and large creatures. In the linked post, I use an ogre as an example. But, the effect is magnified for giants. Giants have an overwhelming example when grappling with human-sized creatures. The simplest thing is simply to assume success on the giant’s part.

But are there other things in the rules a giant might make use of? Let’s brainstorm. What rules can we apply?

• Reach — The illustrations usually show giants with things like big clubs and giant-sized swords. Note: during charges, reach trumps initiative order. Giants will likely benefit then from charging and get first attack.

Also, if possessed of an especially long weapon (say, a giant-sized spear), I do think it would be fair to rule that there may be times when a giant can attack while their human-sized opponents may not. Not all the time, as the one-minute combat round allows for significant assumed jockeying for position. But, in certain dungeon terrain or from battlements or something, yes, I can see giants being able to attack when others cannot.

• When targeting characters with thrown rocks, the dexterity bonus to armor class is discounted. Straight from the rules.

• Speed. The monster manual shows most giants moving the standard 12″, but some of the larger giants move at 15″. Probably a small effect, but it might come into play in things like charges.
• Overbearing. I mentioned grappling earlier. But if a giant wants to knock you flat, they likely can. Note the “+strength bonus”

• Strength. Giants are notable for their strength. The monster manual doesn’t explicitly say they get the hit and damage bonuses, but it doesn’t say they don’t either. They have the strength; give them the bonus.
  

• Mining. This isn’t directly in combat, but this is of strategic import. The side with giants essentially has an industrial-grade tunneling machine on their side. Keep your giants secret and undermine your opponent’s fortress. Or, to dig character out of the holes they have gone to ground in.

• As siege equipment. I started this with mentioning throwing things. But, it’s not limited to throwing things at characters (or throwing characters). Giants can help bring down fortifications, destroy parts of dungeons, or make new exits/entrances to/from dungeons. A giant should be breaking things.

• Cover. Giants are big. It’s their defining feature. Other creatures may use a giant for concealment. And, in addition, a giant with a giant-sized shield may arguably provide true cover for smaller creatures hiding behind it.

• Armor. Giants, as listed in the Monster Manual, have a natural armor class. However, they are humanoid and thus may be equipped with armor. The rules don’t state how their natural armor class interacts with the armor they might wear, but that then comes into the realm of referee judgment. But, I reckon, a storm giant in plate mail is something to behold. And don’t forget the weapons versus armor class adjustments for the weapons used against giants wearing armor. Arguably, the adjustments to AC might only raise AC to their natural armor class.

• Spells. There are giants that cast spells. Let’s not forget that. There can be giant shamans or witch doctors.

• Undead. There can be undead giants. A giant skeleton is mentioned in the DMG. What about a giant vampire? Horrifying.

• Attacking things that require magic to hit. Giants can be used to fight things that otherwise require magic to hit.

• Crushing blows. Giants blows are crushing blows. Giants can be used to wreck characters stuff. This can be an insult even worse than killing a character.

• Poison resistance. Giants (and other large creatures) may have advantages against being poisoned by normal doses.

Well, that’s a good first run at it. There surely are more things that could be thought of. But there are plenty of existing rules that increase the utility of giants and make them more than just bags of hit points.