Calculating Fall Damage in D&D
Falling from a height in DnD can result in the death of your valuable player character or can be a strategic environmental hazard. Here's how it works.
šŖ Understanding Fall Damage in Dungeons & Dragons
Some may say that the most dangerous part of Dungeons & Dragons is the Dungeon Master, but an arguably more hazardous part is the player. Many campaigns have ended with good ideas going badly, bad ideas going well, or just straight-up bad ideas going bad. As your characters grow stronger and gain more powerful gear and skills, they may become walking glass cases of nitroglycerin. One way players tend to hurt themselves beyond recognition is by falling, but fear not! In this guide, we will explore fall damage in Dungeons & Dragons and provide you with valuable information on how to calculate it.
Updated on March 8, 2024, by Sean Murray: High-flying adventures can sometimes have high-flying consequences. If youāre looking to prevent a deadly fall, this guide has you covered. Weāve updated this guide with our latest formatting, added a few more helpful pointers to avoid fall damage, and included links to other useful D&D topics.
Defining Fall Damage
Unlike a majority of video games, Dungeons & Dragons takes realism very seriously, save for all the fantastical elements that define it. Although there is a wide range of species, each with its own strengths and weaknesses, most of them will still take plenty of damage from falling a long way to the ground. Player characters and NPCs are eligible to receive fall damage once they fall further than ten feet. However, before you dish out the damage dice, take into account equipment, racial bonuses, class bonuses, passive skills, and active magic.
How To Calculate Fall Damage
Based on the current version of Dungeons & Dragons, which is 5e, characters will take fall damage in batches of ten feet. After falling the first ten feet, a character has a chance to receive 1d6 of fall damage. Every additional ten feet adds another d6, for a maximum of 20d6. This means thereās a max damage output of 120 hit points, which is enough to kill a majority of player characters.
Depending on the type of ground (rocky, spiky, grassy, etc.), you can add or subtract damage at your discretion. However, once they fall past the 20d6 mark, you donāt add any additional damage dice. This leads to an interesting scenario where a bulky character can fall thousands of feet and still only take a little over 100 points of damage.
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For flying creatures, calculations are a bit different. If anything happens to the flyer to cause it to stop flying (being knocked prone, stunned by an attack, etc.), it starts falling from the distance it was when it was stopped. However, for the sake of realism, most flyers will react somehow to reduce their speed when falling, like flapping. To calculate this, subtract the speed that the flyer was moving at from the fall height to get the right amount of d6s.
When it comes to falling during combat, you can discuss how best to treat it. A general rule of thumb is to treat falling as instantaneous. As an example, imagine a battle where two players are fighting an orc archer positioned on a watchtower. One player launches a spell at the orc, causing him to lose his balance and fall. The watchtower is 30 feet up (so the orc would take 3d6 fall damage), but the orc can hit the ground the moment he falls, or the group can discuss a scenario where player two tries to stop his descent somehow.
Falls from extreme heights, however, cannot be considered instantaneous. If a creature falls from greater than 590 feet (the distance it would fall in six seconds, which is the time represented in a single round of combat), youāll have to determine how long it takes to reach the ground. This is only truly relevant when falling from a flying dragon or a hot air balloon or something.
Things That Affect Fall Damage
There are a number of spells, items, and abilities that can affect fall damage. Essentially, anything that grants flight prevents fall damage (provided that creature is still actively flying), and anything that provides resistance or immunity to bludgeoning also prevents fall damage. Here are a few examples:
Class Abilities
| Class | Ability | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Monk | Slow Fall | Reduces falling damage by five times your monk level. |
| Barbarian | Rage | Provides resistance to bludgeoning damage, cutting fall damage in half. |
Spells
| Spell | Level | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Feather Fall | 1st Level Spell | Reduces a falling creatureās descent to 60 feet per round, taking no fall damage upon reaching the ground. |
| Levitate | 2nd Level Spell | Target levitates 20 feet above the ground and gently floats to the ground once the spell ends. |
| Fly | 3rd Level Spell | Provides a flying speed of up to 60 feet. Lasts 10 minutes (at which point the creature will fall if itās not on the ground). |
Items
| Name | Rarity | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Winged Boots | Uncommon | Grants a flying speed equal to walking speed. When the duration expires, descend at a rate of 30 feet per round. |
| Wingwear | Uncommon | Gain a flying speed of 30 ft. At the end of each turn, your altitude drops by five feet. |
| Ring of Feather Falling | Uncommon | Provides the effects of Feather Fall when worn. |
| Broom of Flying | Uncommon | Provides a flying speed of up to 50 feet. |
Species Abilities
| Species | Ability | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Aarakocra | Flight | Flying speed equal to walking speed. |
| Aasimar | Celestial Revelation – Radiant Soul | Flying speed equal to walking speed. |
| Air Genasi | Mingle with the Wind | Can cast the spells Feather Fall and Levitate once per long rest. |
| Fairy | Flight | Flying speed equal to walking speed. |
| Owlin | Flight | Flying speed equal to walking speed. |
š For more tips and tricks about Dungeons & Dragons, check out the following links: – Tips to Help Players Make Characters
Thatās all you need to know about fall damage in Dungeons & Dragons. Remember, try to avoid falling if possible, and if you do fall, hope that thereās a friendly wizard nearby with a Feather Fall spell! Now go forth, adventurers, and may your landings be soft and your rolls be high!
Do you have any more questions about fall damage or Dungeons & Dragons in general? See the Q&A section below for additional information!
Q&A
Q: Can you use magic to reduce fall damage? A: Absolutely! Spells like Feather Fall, Levitate, and Fly can significantly reduce or even eliminate fall damage. Just make sure to have a friendly spellcaster nearby!
Q: Can falling damage be lethal? A: Yes, falling damage can be deadly, especially at higher levels and if the fall is from extreme heights. Itās always a good idea to be cautious and have a plan for dealing with falls.
Q: Can certain races or classes help mitigate fall damage? A: Yes, certain races, such as Aarakocra and Owlin, have natural flight capabilities that can prevent fall damage. Some classes, like Monks and Barbarians, have abilities that can reduce the damage taken from a fall.
Q: Are there any magical items that can help prevent fall damage? A: Yes, there are magical items like Winged Boots, Ring of Feather Falling, and Broom of Flying that can grant flight or reduce fall damage. They can be very valuable assets for adventurers.
Q: Can you survive a fall from any height with the right abilities or spells? A: Although certain abilities and spells can reduce fall damage or prevent it altogether, there is still a limit to how much protection they can provide. Falling from extremely high heights can still be dangerous and potentially lethal, even with the right precautions.
Q: Can a creature fall on an enemy to deal damage? A: While not a common occurrence, it is possible for a creature to use a fall as an attack. However, it would likely require coordination, a willing DM, and a fair amount of luck to pull off successfully.
Q: Can you fall into water to avoid or reduce fall damage? A: Falling into water can help reduce fall damage, depending on the height and the depth of the water. Itās essential to communicate with your DM to determine the amount of damage reduction water can provide in a given scenario.
Q: Can fall damage be increased for dramatic effect? A: Absolutely! As a DM, you have the power to modify fall damage for dramatic effect or to make certain encounters more challenging. Just remember to communicate any changes to your players in advance.
Q: How can I roleplay a fall? A: When roleplaying a fall, you can describe the characterās thoughts, feelings of fear or exhilaration, and the impact the fall has on their body. Use vivid language to immerse both yourself and your fellow players in the experience.
Q: Can you use fall damage creatively in combat? A: Definitely! Falling from elevated positions can be used strategically to deal damage or surprise enemies. It can provide opportunities for cinematic combat moments and creative problem-solving.
Q: Can falling cause environmental damage? A: Yes, falling from great heights can cause significant damage to the environment, especially if the falling creature is particularly large or heavy. This can lead to collapsed structures, broken objects, or even triggered traps.
Q: How can I challenge my players with fall-related encounters? A: You can create encounters that involve precarious heights, crumbling structures, or airborne enemies to challenge your playersā ability to navigate and survive falls. Just make sure to always prioritize player safety and enjoyment.
Q: How can I use fall damage as a plot device? A: Fall damage can be used as a plot device to create tension, drive character development, or introduce unforeseen consequences. It can serve as a wake-up call for reckless characters or be a pivotal moment in the storyline.
Q: Can you perform acrobatic maneuvers to reduce fall damage? A: While there are no specific rules regarding acrobatic maneuvers to reduce fall damage, a creative DM might allow players to attempt acrobatic stunts, such as flips or rolls, to lessen the impact. It largely depends on the DMās discretion and the narrative flow of the game.
Q: Can fall damage vary depending on the type of terrain? A: Yes, the terrain can affect fall damage. For example, falling onto a rocky or spiky surface may increase the damage, while falling onto a grassy or snow-covered surface may decrease it. The DM can adjust the damage accordingly for narrative purposes.
Remember, these are just common questions about fall damage in Dungeons & Dragons, and as always, the final judgment lies with the Dungeon Master. If you have any specific questions about your game or campaign, make sure to consult your DM for their ruling.
š® Share this article with your fellow adventurers and let them plunge into the world of fall damage in Dungeons & Dragons! Feel free to share your own hilarious or tragic fall damage stories in the comments below.
Disclaimer: The information in this article is based on Dungeons & Dragons 5th edition rules. Always consult your DM for specific rulings and adjustments.
References: – Tips to Help Players Make Characters
