By gargantuan monsters, do you mean things that are at the size of typical D&D gargantuan creatures (20' x 20' space), or are you referring to creatures that are on the scale of terrain features that you could have a dungeon inside of or on top of, such as a warforged colossus? In the former case... no particularly special rules. I don't think I've run any of the latter type in D&D.
By gargantuan monsters, do you mean things that are at the size of typical D&D gargantuan creatures (20' x 20' space), or are you referring to creatures that are on the scale of terrain features that you could have a dungeon inside of or on top of, such as a warforged colossus? In the former case... no particularly special rules. I don't think I've run any of the latter type in D&D.
So, let's talk about a tarrasque. A pretty known monster in the realms of D&D.
If you've got maps, this is a lot easier to visualize. A normal player character operates one square, which is a 5x5 space. A gargantuan one operates on 16 squares(4x4), which is a 20 foot by 20 foot space. They're also 50 feet high.
From a GM perspective, there is some hand waving that has to happen because I get what you're trying to say. Dude is standing on the ground with his sword slashing at what is effectively the things feet. To hit its face, his face is 50 feet in the air but D&D says(until it doesn't it doesn't but 5th really doesn't have weak points) that all parts of a monster count equally in terms of dealing damage. If the monster really wanted to, couldn't it just step on the person and put all its weight there, effectively killing them? Well, yes but rules as written no because that just isn't a game anymore, its the GM roleplaying their player murder fantasy.
Frightful Presence, from the tarrasque isn't defined in how its achieving it, but it's a bloody 50 foot tall lizard monstrosity who can trample over a city. Use your imagination there, it could be just being so close to it that you can't process the fact, the ear splitting roar or seeing the carnage it's doing in other spots.
I always talk about fighters who are swiping at parts that are coming in and out of range with no mechanical benefits or detriments, just to give the illusion of someone being able to do more than clip nails. Ranged characters making shots at those newly formed wounds or making their own through their practiced determination. Casters finding a way through the magical carapace to hit the creature.
Finally, there are elements to this fight that you have to consider prior. Is the party the primary target? Did they go hunting for it? Is it coming to destroy the city/town/village/temple for a reason?
I think this is what you were actually asking here. Hopefully this helps.
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... and do you have any advice for running them?
What do you mean exactly?
Do you mean Giant as in the monster type or are you using it as a size reference?
Sorry I meant giant as in the size, not the actual type of monster
Double sorry, I meant gargantuan
According to their stat block?
Can you maybe describe the specific issues you’re having? The more details you can give, the easier it will be for people to offer you advice.
By gargantuan monsters, do you mean things that are at the size of typical D&D gargantuan creatures (20' x 20' space), or are you referring to creatures that are on the scale of terrain features that you could have a dungeon inside of or on top of, such as a warforged colossus? In the former case... no particularly special rules. I don't think I've run any of the latter type in D&D.
The latter
So, let's talk about a tarrasque. A pretty known monster in the realms of D&D.
If you've got maps, this is a lot easier to visualize. A normal player character operates one square, which is a 5x5 space. A gargantuan one operates on 16 squares(4x4), which is a 20 foot by 20 foot space. They're also 50 feet high.
From a GM perspective, there is some hand waving that has to happen because I get what you're trying to say. Dude is standing on the ground with his sword slashing at what is effectively the things feet. To hit its face, his face is 50 feet in the air but D&D says(until it doesn't it doesn't but 5th really doesn't have weak points) that all parts of a monster count equally in terms of dealing damage. If the monster really wanted to, couldn't it just step on the person and put all its weight there, effectively killing them? Well, yes but rules as written no because that just isn't a game anymore, its the GM roleplaying their player murder fantasy.
Frightful Presence, from the tarrasque isn't defined in how its achieving it, but it's a bloody 50 foot tall lizard monstrosity who can trample over a city. Use your imagination there, it could be just being so close to it that you can't process the fact, the ear splitting roar or seeing the carnage it's doing in other spots.
I always talk about fighters who are swiping at parts that are coming in and out of range with no mechanical benefits or detriments, just to give the illusion of someone being able to do more than clip nails. Ranged characters making shots at those newly formed wounds or making their own through their practiced determination. Casters finding a way through the magical carapace to hit the creature.
Finally, there are elements to this fight that you have to consider prior. Is the party the primary target? Did they go hunting for it? Is it coming to destroy the city/town/village/temple for a reason?
I think this is what you were actually asking here. Hopefully this helps.