D&D 5E Heat rules

[Morlock]

You guys have any house rules you like for hot, humid climates? I was specifically thinking of armor rules. I have the Al-Qadim rules, so there's that.

I was just out in the 95-degree, high-humidity weather, and thinking for the umpteenth time how mild the spring and summer have been around here. And that even this year, I'd croak if I tried to walk around in "full" plate armor, or anything similar, never mind fight or run. And I could be in much better shape, but I think that even for well-conditioned people, that kind of armor really isn't a viable option for regular use in this kind of climate, during the hot season. I'm not sure access to drinking water really covers it. Maybe make people in heavy armor make the save, regardless?

I was thinking about placing a setting in a climate like this (Charleston, SC), and couldn't help but see it at least taking a turn toward the piratical. Not that it'd actually have to have a nautical theme; more in terms of material culture. Looking around, I can't help thinking adventuring here would look more like Isle of Dread, than a typical campaign setting. The local scenery has been used to shoot bush scenes for Vietnam war films, and last I heard, Parris Island was still where Marines went through boot camp (wouldn't be surprised if this changed at some point, due to the shift from jungle wars to desert wars).

 

[The Crimson Binome]

Depending on how nasty you want to be, you could just say that anyone in heavy armor just suffers one automatic level of exhaustion that can only be ended by removing the armor or leaving the heated area.

Does Endure Elements still exist?

 

[Tormyr]

Constitution check or suffer one level of exhaustion.

Check the plane of fire in the dmg for ideas.

 

[Morlock]

Not sure about Endure Elements (I checked; not as such in the PHB).

I kinda like some of the mechanics mentioned in the current "Doing More With Exhaustion" thread.

 

[Saeviomagy]

Heat doesn't seem to have caused the crusaders to bake just from wearing heavy armor. While there are accounts of heat stroke and water water denial, simply wearing armor doesn't seem to have been an issue.

My suggestion would be to apply advantage on endurance checks against desert heat if you are wearing appropriate clothing, which would exclude most if not all forms of armor.

Then you just need to decide how often you check against desert heat. Probably just when it seems appropriate, not necessarily every day. No water? Check. Travelling at noon? Check.