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So...
By applying the Giant creature template to a medium creature, I increase the size to large, and thus adjust all the ability scores accordingly +8 Str & –2 Dex & +4 Con (and +2 nat armor)... and then, on top of that, give it a +4 Str & Con & -2 Dex?
A +12 Str -4 Dex and +8 Con is... scary, especially if it's a brute already! Are we sure that's just +1 CR?
Or am I supposed to do this as an either or...
Either I add the template, giving the Medium creature a size of Large and +4 Str & Con, -2 Dex.
Or I advance it by hit dice and increase the size when applicable, giving it a +8 Str +8 Str & –2 Dex & +4 Con (and +2 nat armor)?
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Or is applying the Giant Template how I increase the size, when I decide the creature's got enough HD to be larger? Jeez, I'm sure I'm making this more complicated than I need to do.
So...
By applying the Giant creature template to a medium creature, I increase the size to large, and thus adjust all the ability scores accordingly +8 Str & –2 Dex & +4 Con (and +2 nat armor)... and then, on top of that, give it a +4 Str & Con & -2 Dex?
A +12 Str -4 Dex and +8 Con is... scary, especially if it's a brute already! Are we sure that's just +1 CR?
Or am I supposed to do this as an either or...
Either I add the template, giving the Medium creature a size of Large and +4 Str & Con, -2 Dex.
Or I advance it by hit dice and increase the size when applicable, giving it a +8 Str +8 Str & –2 Dex & +4 Con (and +2 nat armor)?
===
Or is applying the Giant Template how I increase the size, when I decide the creature's got enough HD to be larger? Jeez, I'm sure I'm making this more complicated than I need to do.
I had the same question a few weeks ago, it seemed from other resources that you increase the size by increasing any damage, AC, etc, but only add the ability scores listed rather than the default size increase ones as the stats ballooned higher than I thought they should if you applied both. Could be wrong and you're supposed to do both, but seemed like you were doubling the size bonus if you did it that way.
The Giant Creature template is the fast and easy way to increase a monster's size and have the stats mostly match up. Advancing a monster's size by hand (which usually goes with an advance in HD but doesn't HAVE to) takes a lot longer, but it's more accurate. This is the method we'll usually be using in Pathfinder and the modules if, say, we need a Gargantuan bulette or a Colossal tyrannosaurus. Although if we ABSOLUTELY need a giant creature but there's no room for a full stat block we'll use the simple template since that lets us avoid reprinting a full stat block.
So basically... it's up to personal preference and your resources at the time. If you're building an adventure before hand, the advanced HD route is probably best, but if you're in the game and something happens to cause a monster to increase in size, the Giant Creature template lets you roll with the punch and keep playing with minimal down time to adjust.