The Strongest Monsters In DND

In Dungeons & Dragons, there are all kinds of monsters that a Dungeon Master can throw at you. Whether it’s the classic bandits and goblins or something as imposing as a dragon or Lich, whether you want something smart, strong, or both, then there are plenty of options to choose from. However, with so many monsters, you may be wondering who is the strongest (physically, that is).

There are plenty of monsters, and many of them share the same scores. However, for the sake of simplicity, we’ve chosen one monster from the highest Strength scores in the game and judged them according to proficiency in saving throws, Athletics skill, size, and more. Here are the most physically strong monsters in Dungeons & Dragons.

Updated On February 7, 2025, by Alfredo Robelo: The release of the 2025 Monster Manual has everyone looking for the mightiest creatures for their campaigns. Some of these creatures could save from even the toughest of Strength Saving Throws. We’ve updated this article to include the mightiest examples of strength found both in the new book and in other D&D sources.

11

Frost Giant Ice Shaper

This Cold Creature Is A Beacon Of Strength

The frost giant ice shaper sounds just as strong as they are terrifying. This monster boasts a stocky 23 Strength score, with proficiency in both Strength saving throws and Strength-based Athletic skills.

As well as this, the icy giant is classified as huge and, based on its modifiers, uses Strength for its attacks, too, with a great axe. Overall, these masters of rune magic are also masters of strength.

10

Abominable Yeti

As Terrifying As The Folklore

So, what other icy foes could be stronger than something like a frost giant? Well, there’s the abominable yeti. Based on the same monster you’re thinking of from pop culture and folklore, the yeti is a snow-white furry monstrosity that is relentless in its hunt for anything it can devour.

Funnily enough, abominable yetis are larger versions of the regular yeti. They have a hearty 24 Strength score, which puts them above the frost giant ice shaper. Although they boast no saving throw or skills in the 2014 edition of the monster, that score puts them cleanly above the last entry and proves they’re still a strong foe.

9

Goristro

A Deadly Siege Monster

Gortistros are perhaps some of the strongest fiends that are in the game, or one of them at the very least. These huge demons resemble minotaurs and have the physical prowess to defeat almost anyone they come across, whether it’s an arm wrestle or a deadly battle.

They have a 25 Strength score, an impressive +13 in their Strength saving throw, are huge and more so are siege monsters. This means they can deal double the damage to objects and structures, showcasing their incredible physicality.

8

Balor

These Fiends Are Dangerous

The only other fiend to stand up to the goristro for that arm wrestling match is the balor. These winged demons are generals of fiend armies and look like they do nothing but work out each and every day. But it turns out to work well for them since they have 26 Strength.

As well as this, they’re just another monster with proficiency in the Strength saving throw. They’re another huge monster in case you need to put any more of these monstrous miniatures on your battle map to cast shadows on the party.

7

Blob Of Annihilation

Eat Cities Whole

The huge size is nice and all, but the real deal is the gargantuan size, since creatures with this classification can be as big as you want them to be. When considering the blob of annihilation, an ooze titan that can end up being bigger than most settlements, the basic gargantuan size is too small.

Don’t let the gooey nature of the creature fool you, since with its Strength score of 27, it can easily ruin your day. The blob might not be fast, but it can catch up with you easily thanks to its Restraining Orb, a 600-foot attack that pulls you closer to your impending doom.

6

Colossus Of Akros

Anything Referred To As A Colossus Has To Be Strong

When you have a foe that is called something like the colossus of Akros, you just know that they have to be the real deal. This colossal golem is a construct that, of course, has to be gargantuan too. However, it has one of the highest Strength scores of any monster, with a whopping 28.

If you want a stronger version of this creature, the 2025 Monster Manual includes the colossus, a CR 25 construct with a Strength value of 30.

As well as this, it has proficiency in both Strength saving throws and Athletics. On top of all of that, it is also a Siege monster. So not only is it made of bronze, it has quite literally everything going for it to be one of the most physically strong monsters in all of Dungeons & Dragons.

5

Rak Tulkhesh

One Of The Toughest Creatures You Could Face

So what could possibly be stronger than something like a colossal construct made of bronze? Well the stats don’t lie; according to these scores, it is Rak Tulkhesh, a draconic creature known as the Rage of War.

Rak Tulkhesh has a higher Strength score of 29 with proficiencies in the saving throw and Athletics skills, too. They are also huge fiends, said to be 15 feet tall with wings that span out 40 feet, being both strong and extremely fast.

4

Kraken

These Beasts Make The Sea Seem Deadlier Than Ever

None of the foes on this list can stand up to the physical prowess that only the seas could conjure with the kraken. This monster is a 30 Strength score beast with proficiency in the saving throw and has the ability to easily fling any huge or smaller creature 60 feet in any direction.

As well as this, it ignores difficult terrain and can escape from magical restraints or grappling, which further showcases its strength with the fact that it can easily outmaneuver any attempts to pin it down.

3

Red And Gold Ancient Dragons

Metallic And Chromatic Might

There are ancient dragons for nearly all numbers mentioned on this list, with the two mightiest being, of course, the gold and red dragons. The 2025 Monster Manual not only has them packing a significant amount of Strength, they can also cast spells now. So waiting for their dragon’s breath to recharge is no longer the safest way to go.

They can be fought in nearly any terrain and will often have the upper hand, either in combat or negotiations, although red dragons are less prone to diplomacy than gold ones. With their name on the title of the game, it is no wonder that these two majestic creatures are near the top of the food chain.

2

Empyrean

Holy And Unholy Variants

If you want your players to feel the holy might of the gods, then the empyrean is the way to go. On the one hand, it is the better choice than to have them face a literal god (since they aren’t meant to do that), and on the other, the party can feel quite mighty after felling the likely offspring of a deity.

If your players are more prone to the good alignment, then don’t fret, for this 30 Strength creature can come in the infernal variant, being a fiend rather than a celestial. The abilities work much the same, but if you plan on using the fiend, consider using the necrotic damage option given, or maybe even change it to fire or whatever might suit your needs.

1

Tarrasque

The Final Frontier

The tarrasque not only has a Strength value of 30, it also has a Challenge Rating value of 30, making it one of the deadliest creatures in the game, and the highest CR one in the 2025 Monster Manual. It can disrupt the concentration of casters, swallow enemies whole, and roar with such forceful power that enemies cower, frightened and deafened.

Its physical prowess is also shown in its sturdiness, particularly with how its carapace reacts to spells. When the tarrasque is hit with a spell attack roll (or targeted by Magic Missile), the spell can either have no effect or be bounced back to the target in full force, forcing parties to rethink their strategies.