D&D 5E Rules Question - The interaction between Str (Athletics) checks, movement and actions. Does Swimming take an Action?

[turnip_farmer]

Would make underwater combat a bit dull if you couldn't swim and hit someone on the same turn.

 

[billd91]

What specifically is the check for?

Considering that being violently flung into the water would be a bit uncontrolled and disorienting, I'd have them make the check to swim effectively rather than sink further and be forced to hold their breath. If they failed, rather like failing a difficult climb check, they make no progress with their attempt at movement.
I'd also give them a second check if they used the Dash action for more movement.

 

[jasper]

Well, the specific situation was being flung 40 feet by a kracken into water - I figured that a Strength (Athletics) check was warranted.

Well, three for three say that it's part of movement, so, who am I to argue. Thanks folks.

I would say, rule of cool. Athletics check or stunned for one round sinking 30 or 60 feet.

 

[Umbran]

The rules quote is:

"Each foot of movement costs 1 extra foot (2 extra feet in difficult terrain) when you’re climbing, swimming, or crawling. You ignore this extra cost if you have a climbing speed and use it to climb or a swimming speed and use it to swim. At the DM’s option, climbing a slippery vertical surface or one with few handholds requires a successful Strength (Athletics) check. Similarly, gaining any distance in rough water might require a successful Strength (Athletics) check."

I think it would be reasonable to say that IF a check is required, that takes your action. If a check is not required, then the movement is half-speed, but not an action. If you want to swim through rough ocean, that takes enough effort that no, you cannot attack or cast a spell the same round.

 

[Hussar]

The rules quote is:

"Each foot of movement costs 1 extra foot (2 extra feet in difficult terrain) when you’re climbing, swimming, or crawling. You ignore this extra cost if you have a climbing speed and use it to climb or a swimming speed and use it to swim. At the DM’s option, climbing a slippery vertical surface or one with few handholds requires a successful Strength (Athletics) check. Similarly, gaining any distance in rough water might require a successful Strength (Athletics) check."

I think it would be reasonable to say that IF a check is required, that takes your action. If a check is not required, then the movement is half-speed, but not an action. If you want to swim through rough ocean, that takes enough effort that no, you cannot attack or cast a spell the same round.

Which would mean that I was right. At least in the first round - since I required a check (on the PC's turn, after being flung into the water) - then that check would be an action. Then, on the second round, presuming that the kraken hasn't decided to make swimming really difficult by, say, swallowing the PC whole (which happened to another PC in the fight), then movement would just be half speed.

 

[Argyle King]

I do not believe that making the check is a separate action.

However, failing the check may prematurely end your move.


Example:

Let's assume a PC with 30ft of movement.
Between Point A and Point B is 10ft of walking, 5ft of swimming through treacherous water, and 5ft of climbing a rope.
Step 1 - The PC walks 10ft (10/30 used)
Step 2 - The PC enters the treacherous water and the GM asks for an athletics check
--If the PC succeeds, the PC moves 5ft, but counts as if having moved 10ft (difficult terrain) (20/30 used)
--If the PC fails, the PC cannot continue their movement through the water and their movement ends.
Step 3 (assuming success) - The PC makes a climb check to climb 5ft, but it counts as if having moved 10ft (30/30 used)
Step 3 (assuming failure) - If the PC failed the swim check, their move ends, but I believe they could use their action to attempt more movement.

 

[Flamestrike]

I figured it was a check to basically tread water and not sink like a stone.

If you can swim, you can swim.

Fully clothed or not, you can tread water, even after unexpectedly falling off a boat or getting thrown into a pool or whatever.

You dont need a check for that any more than you need one to climb a ladder.

 

[Oofta]

I would rule that it is not an action. While you don't need to make a check while swimming in calm waters, you do under certain circumstances but nothing indicates that it's an action.

Of course, your game your ruling.

 

[Hussar]

If you can swim, you can swim.

Fully clothed or not, you can tread water, even after unexpectedly falling off a boat or getting thrown into a pool or whatever.

You dont need a check for that any more than you need one to climb a ladder.

Normally I would agree, but, being thrown through the air by a kraken, that is now swimming around, thrashing, and doing all sorts of other stuff, does make swimming a bit more difficult. But, I would only insist on the check in the first round, simply because of being chucked through the air like that. It would be a bit disorientating. Note, the check was to make progress. When she failed a second check (rogue, bonus action) I said that she simply didn't make forward progress.

Which then turned into the discussion about whether or not the checks ate into the Actions or not.

I guess the consensus answer seems to be - normally no. In a fairly normal circumstance, even when a check is required (such as climbing), it won't eat into your actions. It might in extreme circumstances. Climbing rigging on a ship wouldn't need a check normally. Climbing rigging in a strong wind probably would need a check (with a fairly low DC) but not eat an action. Climbing rigging in a typhoon while under attack from a dragon would likely eat actions.

 

[Blue]

The effect of it sounds like a no-save action denial. Not that you don't get your action, but it's required to be an athletics check. If the challenge 23 Kraken is having problems with the PCs, then go for it as an additional hazard. If it makes a more dramatic combat, go for it. If it's action denial on top of deadly battle, I wouldn't.

I'd go with the rules under "Fling" on the Kraken, which knocks them prone as part of it. So first round they are up to 60 feet away, spending half their move just to "right themselves" in the water (become unprone), and have to spend an extra foot (2 feet if it's rough) - they are already potentially out of the fight for a while.