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Creature sizes in Baldur's Gate 3 are split into a few categories: Tiny, Small, Medium, Large, Huge, Colossal, and theoretically even larger. Creature size in BG3 typically determines a number of stats and influences possibilities in combat, like one creature's ability to Shove or pick up another, but each size also comes with out-of-combat benefits (and drawbacks), too.
An enemy that looks like a Medium creature might actually be a Small one, and an enemy that looked to be Shoveable might actually be so large it's physically immovable without massive buffs. It's important to look at this information before combat because creatures that are larger than their targets may have higher HP, AC, and other bonuses – though there are some ways to gain a David and Goliath-like advantage.
How To See Enemy Sizes in BG3
The easiest way to tell how large an enemy is in Baldur's Gate 3 is to right-click their icon in combat or their model out in the world, and select the "Examine" option. In the sub-menu that comes up, all of the target's attributes, resistances, and other stats are revealed, as well as the creature's size. In general, creature size in BG3 doesn't come with as many restrictions as the tabletop Dungeons and Dragons, especially when players know how to optimize a Strength-based build toward picking up and throwing enemies.
Medium creatures can typically move further, hit their Strength checks and saving throws more often, and can even pick up Small and Tiny creatures. In general, any creature larger than its target will get these bonuses – a Medium creature can be grappled by a Large creature, a Large creature can be grappled by a Huge creature, and so on.
There are ways to get around this disadvantage when going against larger foes. Using Balduran's Giantslayer grants Advantage against larger targets, for example, and the Enlarge spell can increase (or decrease) friendly and enemy sizes directly. With enough Strength, even a Halfling Barbarian can even pick up and throw Medium targets, too.
Tiny Creatures in BG3
The Tiny creature size is reserved for the smallest of Faerun's residents. The category is mostly made up of creatures like rats, frogs, Pixies, and other minuscule beings that one might have a hard time finding without highlighting NPC outlines – including Familiars.
Tiny creatures are better at being stealthy than larger classes, but they also tend to have very low AC, Strength, and movement distance. Tiny creatures are also the only creatures that can fit into the very smallest entrances in Baldur's Gate 3, like burrows, cracks in the wall, and other hidden paths usually hidden by a Perception check. Try out the Wild Shape skill, available to Druids, to be able to access these hidden areas as a Tiny creature.
Small Creatures in BG3
The Small creature size is one of two that are available to players, and is typically associated with creatures like Halflings, Gnomes, Dwarves, Goblins, and the like. Small creatures are much more easy to see on the map than Tiny creatures, but come with similar benefits and drawbacks.
Small creatures tend to be better at Stealth (depending on a player's choices during Character Creation), and are uniquely able to fit through some of the game's hidden, blocked entrances. Though a Small creature cannot fit into a Burrow, they can slip through other small holes (like the one in the Druid Grove) that larger Creature sizes can't get through.
However, Small creatures also have less movement speed, at a base of 7.5m for Dwarves, Gnomes, and Halflings compared to most other Races' 9m. They also can be easily tossed around and picked up by Medium creatures – it's easier to Shove, or pick up and Enraged Throw, a Small creature as a Medium creature because of the size difference.
Medium Creatures in BG3
The Medium creature size is what makes up the vast, vast majority of Baldur's Gate 3's characters, encapsulating all but three of the starting Race options. Medium creatures have a base 9m movement distance, but cannot fit through small gaps, and must reduce their size with Spells or other trickery to reach the same hidden areas as Small and Tiny creatures.
Because this is the "default" for most Baldur's Gate 3 characters and creatures, there aren't any particular bonuses or drawbacks from being a Medium size.
Large Creatures in BG3
The Large creature size is made up of enemies that take up more than a square of space in Dungeons and Dragons – though there aren't necessarily squares on Baldur's Gate 3's map, Large creatures take up noticeably more space than other enemies – usually. Some enemies who are particularly heavy, or wider than they are tall, may still count as Large enemies.
Large creatures tend to have more HP, higher AC, and a lot more movement speed than others. Because Large enemies tend to also be unique creature types, they usually have access to multiple Actions each turn and a much further movement distance compared to the standard Medium creature. Without external aid from buffs or other unique effects, it's impossible to Shove or otherwise grapple Large creatures.
Large creatures in Baldur's Gate 3 are easily able to pick up, throw, and manipulate creatures of the Medium and Small types. But they aren't the largest creature size type in BG3.
Huge, Gargantuan, & Beyond
Huge, Gargantuan, and even bigger categories of creatures (like the Colossal and Titanic size) are very, very rare in Baldur's Gate 3, only showing up in the form of a few select unique enemies throughout the entire game. Huge creature sizes and larger include enemies like Giants, Dragons, certain Constructs, and other enemies that take up an enormous amount of space on the battlefield.
Huge, Gargantuan, and larger creatures have immense HP pools, typically have large AC and defenses, and are in all ways an overwhelming presence on the battlefield, even without allies. Players cannot become Huge or larger in Baldur's Gate 3, but effects like the buff granted by Balduran's Giantslayer help to even the odds when facing off against these impressive enemies – just be sure to keep the quick save and quick load buttons (F5 and F8 by default) on speed-dial, as it were.
Baldur's Gate 3 is available on PC and will release for PlayStation 5 on September 6, 2023.