D&D 4E Elevation Bonus in 4E?

[jbear]

The nice thing about adding an attack bonus to elevated terrain is that the PCs will go out of their way to reach those advantageous positions.

That is the kind of motivation that makes combat dynamic. Otherwise you run into the situation where you have a massive room full of interesting but not advantageous terrain which the PCs have burst into, but tactically it is more sound for them to fight from the doorway, the fighter and the paladin out front blocking things up, with the bow ranger, the cleric and the sorceror tucked in safely behind them. Party Composition of course will alter this possibility, but I think you get what I mean.

Any motivation be it advantageous or be it due to danger avoidance are great elements to build into any encounter, to get PCs and monsters alike moving around that area, making the battle more cinematic and exciting.

 

[UnknownAtThisTime]

Side note: if I remember correctly, the encounters where they included the bits on attacking from higher ground gave you a +2, not combat advantage. A minor quibble, but one with different implications.

One example from our own ENWorld published adventure path:

The highwaymen use their blademark and get everyone into range for an swirling slash attack. They will jump on the shelves to gain combat advantage

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That module alone has three separate examples of CA from higher ground. I know this is not WotC material, but I think the CA phrase was used in a WotC adventure as well.​

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[Nullzone]

Since nobody has mentioned it, it's worth noting that charging itself gives you a +1, of which bull rush is a possible outcome. The bull rush act or effect doesn't grant anything except the one square push though.

 

[pclaw8]

And this right here is why I don't particularly like ad hoc DM assigned bonuses. I would argue if you are trying to attack a goblin while standing on a table, you have no bonus. Your already small target is even further away from you now, especially if you have a short reach weapon like a dagger. If you are attacking a troll or giant while standing on a table, I might grant a +2 bonus. You are closer to his vulnerable areas like the throat.

I'm sure Lost Soul had a completely valid reasoning in his head when he assigned those bonuses but it doesn't line up with the image in my head. It's best to spell out terrain related bonuses and penalties before an encounter, and make sure they aren't terribly conditional.

To add to your point, let's say I'm on the floor and a goblin jumps onto the table. He can probably hit me better than when he was on the floor, but now I can also hit him a lot easier, being on lower elevation...

I try to just stick with "The DM's Best Friend" instead of adding house rules.


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[the Jester]

For the record, in earlier editions the "higher ground" bonus was only +1.