The gigantes (originally Giant) is a recurring monster in the Dragon Quest series. Introduced in Dragon Quest II, it is usually a more powerful variant of the cyclops.
Characteristics
Gigantes are variants of cyclopes, having one eye, a single horn, and a bulky, humanoid build. Their skin is a light blue color while their partial-tunics are a darker, grayer shade of blue.
Much like cyclops, gigantes are creatures as powerful as they are massive with sizeable stamina to support. They can prove to be one of the most dangerous monsters to face in the games they appear in, typically showing up near the end and being capable of dealing ridiculous amounts of damage. They are not without fault, however, their stamina being the only contribution to their endurance in light of poor defenses and resilience; they are also rather predictable, only using physical attacks in nearly all instances.
Gigantes were originally green-skinned with teal garb. Their appearance in the original Dragon Quest V can be seen as the midpoint of their color changes from their original colors to the color scheme they use today.
Appearances
Dragon Quest II
Gigantes appears in Rhone as one of the strongest creatures in the overworld.
Dragon Quest V
Gigantes will not be confronted by the player until they reach Nadiria, appearing alongside the many other formidable enemies in the region. They have high HP and can launch desperate attacks capable of dealing over 200 points of damage. It is possible for the player to recruit a gigantes for their team, though the creature's strengths might make it better suited as a short-lived foe than a linear ally.
Dragon Quest VIII
Gigantes appear in this game. Like most monsters, they are given a 3D avatar reminiscent of their 2D sprites. Two wandering Gigantes, named Brontes and Steropes, can be recruited for the Hero's Monster Team and are two of the most powerful monsters available. When used in a Monster Team together, they form the group "Two-Eyes". A Gigantes is also fought in the Rank S Battles.
Dragon Quest IX
Dragon Quest Monsters
Dragon Quest Monsters
Dragon Quest Monsters: Caravan Heart
Dragon Quest Monsters: Joker
Gigantes appear as a rank A members of the beast family. A lone gigantes can be encountered on Infant Isle following the player's first trip to the scout stone, though it can quickly maul the player's monster team, even if the player is at or above levels able to easily see them around the rest of the island.
Provided some patience, it is possible to scout the Infant Isle gigantes before leaving the island for the first time (ie, before seeing the opening ceremony and being able to use synthesis). Given adequate training and skill distribution, a team of two mischievous moles and a lips can give the player a slim chance of scouting the beast, psyching up with the moles to increase the scouting percentage while using the lips' enfeebling magic to keep the gigantes from attacking. It should be noted that if the moles attack power is not in a range at or above 120 then their attacks will have zero effect, even when fully psyched up.
After the first encounter, the Gigantes continues to appear on Infant isle sporadically afterwards and can be scouted.
Dragon Quest Monsters: Joker 2
In Dragon Quest Monster Joker 2, Gigantes appear in the snowy stage (Nivis in the spanish) making a campfire.
Dragon Quest Heroes: Rocket Slime
While no actual gigantes show up, the monster tank Giggles is modeled after one.
Etymology
Gigantes is the Spanish word for giants. Interestingly, giant was the name of this species in the original translation of Dragon Quest II. Gigantes can also refer to the giants of Greek myth.
In Dragon Quest VIII, it is pronounced 'hee-gan-tay' by a barkeeper in Tryan Gully.
