The Bloodfray Giant (well, two to be exact) made it’s first appearance in the Dungeonsport Coliseum yesterday. In just one match, this big nasty from the Guildmaster’s Guide to Ravnica (GGR), earned it’s way on to the hotlist. These monsters hit hard, but they also have a few features that make them very interesting in combat.
Fortunately, when I rolled these guys for the encounter, the Fortress Arena had already been selected by audience vote. This was great, because it allowed the players to find places to hide from the giants. Normally, though, this would result in me having to bust down walls to get to them while they chipped away at my monsters’ health. That’s fun, but it can get tedious.
Fortunately, these giants have a 20 foot reach on their chain attack, allowing them to effectively attack against creatures in spaces too close for them to enter. This attack also restrains the target. Initially, I bemoaned the lack of the Siege Monster ability, as it greatly slowed the pace with which I could get to my victims. In the end, I came to the conclusion that it was better, as it forced me to punch holes in the walls that I could attack through.
In the end, the contestants were victorious, but they took a beating. They had to make use of their resource and the environment wisely to have a chance at survival.
Bloodfray Giant Lore
The lore on the Bloodfray Giant seems fairly thin. They are aligned with Rakdos. They likes spikes on their suspenders. Sometimes they’re used as structural elements. Not a lot of flavor there, but if you can’t do something with that look, you’re not trying.
Like most of the creatures aligned with Rakdos, they just ooze with danger and villainy. Imagine an encounter where the PCs are trapped in the tumbledown ruins of an old castle. Maybe they’re trying to find a way out past the giant, or some long-forgotten relic. Either way, as they move from room to room, the Bloodfray Giant stalks them. It exploits sections of collapsed wall to attack, or slowly makes holes for itself. When it attacks, the victim is restrained. Their allies must struggle to keep them from being dragged from the relative safety of the castle by the giant.
Wanna know what other monsters are on my Hotlist? Or, maybe instead of the deadliest monsters that provide interesting challenges outside of combat? Check out my Blocklist.
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