Other than Close Bursts, is there an upside to Size Large?

[Obryn]

...or Huge or Gargantuan?

I'm not really seeing one. In fact, it seems to hose monsters without any compensation.

I'm hip to 4e's monster design philosophies. But large size seems like a weakness for which there should be some kind of compensatory benefit. A Large or Huge creature tends to operate at a disadvantage as opposed to their Smaller counterparts.

-O

 

[CovertOps]

I'm not sure that such a rule exists, but based on a lot of Halfling abilities I'd allow larger creatures to ignore the inability to move through enemy spaces or even share squares/spaces with smaller creatures. Two sizes larger here I think is key...so not Large, but Huge vs. Medium.

 

[Obryn]

That's kinda OA city, though, isn't it?

-O

 

[keterys]

They often have reach, often deal good damage with melee attacks, often have good Fortitude, are more difficult to push off cliffs, can more easily block areas, some powers don't work on creatures too big, etc.

There's no need for a standard bonus or penalty for sizes - whether that's Large or Small.

 

[Solvarn]

...or Huge or Gargantuan?

I'm not really seeing one. In fact, it seems to hose monsters without any compensation.

I'm hip to 4e's monster design philosophies. But large size seems like a weakness for which there should be some kind of compensatory benefit. A Large or Huge creature tends to operate at a disadvantage as opposed to their Smaller counterparts.

-O

You never have to worry about being turned away from the roller coaster line for not being "this high" to ride.

In all seriousness though, the advantage is usually reach. Being large is a disadvantage if you don't have the hit points to back it up though. I think that is why they didn't go with half giants being large in the new Dark Sun setting, and just made them goliaths. I'm sure it was a consideration.

 

[Obryn]

They often have reach, often deal good damage with melee attacks, often have good Fortitude,

But a Medium-sized creature could have equal perks here. None of this is explicitly tied to Largeness.

are more difficult to push off cliffs, can more easily block areas, some powers don't work on creatures too big, etc.

Sure, but compared to the penalties of (1) finding it tough to stand in places, (2) easily blocked, and (3) prone to extra OAs and Flanks, I don't know that this is a fair tradeoff.

There's no need for a standard bonus or penalty for sizes - whether that's Large or Small.

I'm not arguing that there should be standard bonuses or penalties. I certainly don't want to go back to tracking that kind of minutiae when designing monsters. I'm arguing, from my personal experience, that larger than M-sized creatures are weaker than smaller creatures with identical stats.

I don't think there's a one-size-fits-all solution for this - and besides, we're in house-rule territory then.

-O

 

[AbdulAlhazred]

Generally speaking from a standpoint of nothing else being different it would be better to be medium sized in most cases. However there are a few situations where being larger can be helpful. Mostly its a flavor thing though and its tactically a minor disadvantage. I guess the upshot is if you want to create a situation where your larger creatures shine, then put them in a tactical position where it helps them, or just give them some more 'large stuff is good' custom powers, which a lot of them already have anyway as Keterys pointed out. Auras and close bursts are always good!

 

[CovertOps]

That's kinda OA city, though, isn't it?

-O

Only if you're not shifting.

 

[Ebylon]

Sure, you can argue about the advantages and disadvantages of larger monsters all you want, but what it comes down to is this: Would the players in your game prefer to fight a dude their size, or take down a 'sweet mary he's huge' dragon?

 

[Infiniti2000]

Sure, but compared to the penalties of (1) finding it tough to stand in places, (2) easily blocked, and (3) prone to extra OAs and Flanks, I don't know that this is a fair tradeoff.

But, that's a lot different than your original assumption of "without any compensation."

Regarding #2, the opposite is also true. Large creatures easily block passages. I found that to be very useful and was a great use case for a gelatinous cube to drop down out of a trap door in the ceiling, splitting up the party. Couple that cube with some skirmisher support on both sides using a connected secret passage...