Originally Posted by
LuckyPistol
The larger maps works well, as it makes blitzing other factions (unless you're Gondor/Mordor) from the beginning more difficult, and adds a variety to the game with the scramble for rebel settlements. Not only that but factions that don't have much room to grow in previous versions now have some nice rebel settlements around them to give them something to do while building up the economy and such.
For example there's a nice buffer between Thranduil's Realm and Dol Guldur (owned by Mordor) which gives you time to get organized as Mordor starts out with a lot of territories. Another example is how Dale can get a lot more settlements to help your economy before engaging Rhun