Ok, this is something that i've been wondering for quite a while now.. but what makes a giant agro? here's 2 examples

A. walking down the road to Rorikstead, weapon sheathed, a pack of giants are walking along as well, i pass htem and they dont even bat an eyelash (do they have those? never looked)

B. walking from Rorikstead over to Swindler's den, another pack, this time plus mammoths, and still wth out my weapon drawn, they suddenly want to induct me into the Skyrim space program. (to be fair, they seemed to have an issue with this, as the bodies of several other recent Space cadets we're laying about 40 yards away)

so what actually is making them mad at me?
am i that ugly?
do i smell that bad?
did i pee on their favorite mammoth bone?

I believe the mammoths are the variable. If you get close to them, you are automatically inducted into the Space Program.

It even says on loading screens that they are peaceful, unless you get to close to them or their mammoths.

Sheathed weapon and walking speed they don't mind you but running/jogging and with a weapon out (especially near the mammoths) they let you see the moon really close...

If you look nonthreatening they don't bother you.

Who cares? They're a nice convenient way to grind Block, Heavy Armor, and Restoration at the same time.

NOTE - When doing this, start with bears. Move up to trolls. Best to have about 60 Block and 300 Armor rating before rumbling with giants. Unless Skyrim's space program appeals to you.

I think distance is a factor anyways. I have had a giant escort me to the moon while just walking super close, no weapon equipped.

Some packs are inherently hostile, I've come to find out that not all giants are the peaceful Nomads they are so often portrayed as.

A sure way to provoke them is to get near/enter one of their camps. Even if there are no mammoths they will warn you by shaking their club and grunting at you. If you persist they will attack. But if there are few a few giants walking down the road then they should be friendly to you, even if you get close and even if you have your weapons out. But, if they are out walking around with their mammoths and you get close they will once again warn you to stay away, and if you don't they will attack. There may be some exceptions, but that's how it normally is.

The ones walking on the roads by random won't do anything unless you attack them from what I have seen. Ones off road or they are located in the area all the time are the ones you stay clear of unless you want to see space.

They become hostile if they're engaging or have engaged in combat with other enemies eg dragons, bandits or sabercats.

The only time I fight giants is if they pick a fight with me. I don't want to mess with them as long as they leave me alone.

It sure would be nice to get into their lore a bit. They're kind of a mysterious bunch.

That sounds like one of the random encounters. Two giants and some mammoths get attacked by a bunch of bandits or poachers (cant remember which.) I’ve run into it a few times along the road between Rorikstead and Broken Tower Redoubt.

First time I was walking along the road there and the encounter literally spawned right on top of me. Still not sure how I survived that, I was at low level that time…all I remember was freaking out because I was just minding my own business when suddenly, mammoths. Mammoths everywhere.

The second time I was approaching the road from over the hill, and witnessed the encounter again. It was in the same spot. I just waited until the giants had killed off the attackers then made my way around them, staying up on the hill and keeping my distance.


I’ve run into an aggressive giant when I’ve fought a dragon nearby. It was one of those ones that would be normally chill with you, but he kept warning me to back off. Dragon probably ticked it off…

It could vary when mammoths are present. If you take the road south out of Kynesgrove, there’s a giants camp there. They’ll often take their mammoths for walks right across that road. Personally I’ve never gotten too close to the mammoths but the giants are cool with me. I have seen other NPC’s walk really close to them though (sometimes right under them too) and no fuss is made by anyone.