The Colossal Titan was one of the Nine Titans and served as the main antagonist during the first three seasons of Attack on Titan. It was infamous for its enormous height of 60 meters, towering over the Walls, and its terrifying abilities: a devastating explosive transformation, immense physical size and strength, and the power of controlled steam emission. Originally wielded by Bertholdt Hoover and later inherited by Armin Arlert, this Titan was considered one of the most destructive weapons on the battlefield. 

The Colossal Titan’s most fearsome ability was its Explosive Transformation. Unlike other Titans that simply emitted energy when transforming, the user of the Colossal Titan could manipulate the scale of the explosion. When Bertholdt attacked Trost District, his transformation only produced a strong gust of wind that blew cadets off the Wall. However, during the Battle of Shiganshina, he unleashed a far greater blast, creating a mushroom cloud of dust and rubble that devastated much of the district and killed countless Scout Regiment soldiers. Later, Armin Arlert utilized this same power during the Raid on Liberio, releasing an enormous explosion that obliterated most of the Marleyan naval fleet, generated a massive wave, and destroyed the port entirely. 

The third and equally devastating ability was Steam Emission. Normally, Titans released steam only from their wounds or as their bodies evaporated after death. However, the Colossal Titan was able to release immense amounts of steam at will, burning and repelling anyone nearby. Enemies who clung to its body would be relentlessly scorched by the heat. This ability, however, came with severe drawbacks—continuous steam emission gradually weakened the Titan’s muscles, reducing its mass until little more than its skeletal frame remained. In extreme cases, the user could evaporate the entire Titan body instantly, vanishing in a cloud of steam. While this provided a tactical retreat, it left the user dangerously exposed, especially if they fell from great heights without the aid of ODM gear.