D&D 5E Climbing a tower rules 5e

[jgsugden]

You can lead a horse to water... this thread just makes me sad.

 

[Imaculata]

You can lead a horse to water... this thread just makes me sad.

I think in this case you are trying to lead the horse to something that just isn't there, or atleast is not supported by the maps of the local area.

 

[jgsugden]

I think in this case you are trying to lead the horse to something that just isn't there, or atleast is not supported by the maps of the local area.

You've made that clear. You're so dedicated to that belief that you can't see the big lake on the map, the waist deep water you're standing in, or all the signs that say "DON'T GO SWIMMING IN THIS WATER" (because they must mean you shouldn't go swimming if there was water here, because you know, there glub ... glub ... glub ...

 

[Imaculata]

You've made that clear. You're so dedicated to that belief that you can't see the big lake on the map, the waist deep water you're standing in, or all the signs that say "DON'T GO SWIMMING IN THIS WATER" (because they must mean you shouldn't go swimming if there was water here, because you know, there glub ... glub ... glub ...

Lets step away from the metaphors for just a bit. What do you think the actual rules are on climbing? Then lets examine what the book says on that topic.

 

[DND_Reborn]

IMO a monster with a climb speed would only have make a check to climb in situations similar to a walking creature needing to make a check to walk (slippery ice, earthquake, etc.).

Ex. We had a feils (mini-tabaxi) with a climb speed 20 trying to climb up an icy wall inside a well, so I asked for a check.

 

[iserith]

Just when I said I was out, I get pulled right back in...

Is it RAI that creatures with a climb speed need to make Athletics checks to climb?

D&D Sage Advice ·

www.sageadvice.eu

If you have Spider Climb - no checks.

If you have a climb speed - you cannot forgo Athletics checks when climbing.

If you have neither, it was not directly addressed, but ... well, common sense.

At this point, I have no illusions (made that Int ability check) that anyone is going to change their opinion, but if someone gets this deep into the thread and is still up in the air... the designer intent (specifically from the Lead on the PHB - the person most responsible for establishing the core mechanics of the game) is that climbing checks require an athletics check.

Nothing about what he is saying means that all attempts to climb require an ability check.

If, however, there is an ability check to resolve climbing, a creature with a climb speed is not exempt from making it simply by having a climb speed. That creature just moves twice as fast as anyone else who does not have a climb speed. A creature with spider climb though? They don't have to make the ability check at all, if there would normally be one due to a difficult situation while climbing.

And that's exactly how I resolve that too. Thanks for posting it.

 

[Imaculata]

IMO a monster with a climb speed would only have make a check to climb in situations similar to a walking creature needing to make a check to walk (slippery ice, earthquake, etc.).

According to JC, there basically is no difference between a creature with, and a creature without a climb speed, in regards to resolving athletics climb checks. It is irrelevant. They both have to make the check when the DM calls for one. If a complication comes up, it doesn't matter how fast you are at climbing, you could still suffer a set back (and potentially fall).

The one big exception is the spider climb trait. Now, of course a creature could have both: Spider climb AND a climb speed. In which case, the trait negates the need for a check, since the creature can't lose their footing.

 

[iserith]

You can lead a horse to water... this thread just makes me sad.

Why have any emotions about this thread at all? We're discussing rules in an RPG.

 

[Charlaquin]

Just when I said I was out, I get pulled right back in...

Is it RAI that creatures with a climb speed need to make Athletics checks to climb?

D&D Sage Advice ·

www.sageadvice.eu

If you have Spider Climb - no checks.

If you have a climb speed - you cannot forgo Athletics checks when climbing.

If you have neither, it was not directly addressed, but ... well, common sense.

At this point, I have no illusions (made that Int ability check) that anyone is going to change their opinion, but if someone gets this deep into the thread and is still up in the air... the designer intent (specifically from the Lead on the PHB - the person most responsible for establishing the core mechanics of the game) is that climbing checks require an athletics check.

Nowhere in that Twitter exchange does it say a Strength (Athletics) check is always required to climb. What it says is that, in cases where a Strength (Athletics) check is required to climb, having a climb speed does not exempt you from having to make the check. This is as I would expect from reading the rules.

 

[DND_Reborn]

LOL at this point obviously climbing and other special movement forms should be moved to the "fix" D&D thread:

D&D General - Let's Talk About How to "Fix" D&D

I know. "Fix" implies there is something "wrong" and that's okay. We are allowed to not like the way a thing is done in D&D (or any other game). But it also suggests something positive: that by tweaking or changing a thing, we can make the game better for our own purposes. So here are the...

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