Dungeons & Dragons Cursed Goliath Rat Miniature

This is a highly detailed miniature of a Cursed Goliath Rat.

This model was created by Ella´s Arcanum who makes amazingly accurate models of Dungeons & Dragons creatures and is provided by Commercial License.

In Dungeons & Dragons, a Cursed Goliath Rat is a monstrous creature that combines the natural instincts of a large rodent with an unnatural, often magical affliction. Unlike ordinary giant rats, which are already a threat due to their size, numbers, and disease-carrying potential, a Cursed Goliath Rat embodies a sinister corruption, making it both more dangerous and more unpredictable. The curse could originate from dark magic, a necromancer’s experiments, or a malevolent fey influence, twisting the creature’s physiology and behavior. The rat is typically much larger than a normal giant rat, sometimes reaching the size of a wolf, with exaggerated features such as long, gnarly teeth, coarse fur matted with filth or magical residue, and glowing or discolored eyes that hint at the unnatural energy coursing through it.

Mechanically, in game terms, a Cursed Goliath Rat often retains the natural abilities of a giant rat, including keen senses and swift movement, but its curse usually grants additional effects. These can range from resistance or immunity to certain damage types, the ability to spread magical disease or curses, or a terrifying aura that weakens or frightens nearby creatures. Some DMs may even have the curse alter its intelligence or strategy, making the creature cunning enough to lay traps, ambush adventurers, or coordinate attacks with other cursed beasts. The cursed nature may also make it more difficult to kill; for example, when reduced to zero hit points, it might erupt in a burst of necrotic energy, resurrect itself temporarily, or summon smaller rats as minions.

The role of a Cursed Goliath Rat in a campaign is usually as a challenging encounter that tests a party’s resourcefulness rather than brute strength alone. It embodies the theme of corruption or unnatural growth, and its presence often foreshadows a greater magical or supernatural threat. A simple infestation of rats becomes an ominous sign, a creeping menace that hints at dark forces at work, making it far more than just a common vermin. Encounters with these creatures can be both physically dangerous and psychologically unnerving, providing rich narrative hooks for storytelling in Dungeons & Dragons.

11.48mm tall at 32mm scale.