Monsters falling from the ceiling!

[Kunimatyu]

When I'm DMing, one of my favorite tactics for certain kinds of aberrations and vermin -- especially gricks, spiders, and carrion crawlers -- involves the creature in question dropping on top of an unsuspecting a PC. I usually just resolve it as a charge, but I'm kinda curious if there is a more official way of handling it, or failing that, just a better house rule. It seems like a falling creature would be more likely to get a circumstance bonus to grapples/pins and the like.

 

[Tobold Hornblower]

I'd give them +1 for higher ground.

 

[Jack Simth]

Well, an unsuspecting PC probably means you caught them flat-footed; there is a penalty right there (no dex). You could add falling damage to the attack - the critter is intentionally jumping downwards, so gets a Jump check (DC 15) or Tumble check (also dc 15) to avoid 10 feet of falling damage - while the target creature gets full impact (what, 1d6 damage, for a Medium attacker on a 10 foot drop?) in addition to whatever attacks the critter decides to lay on in it's move and attack option.

Edit: Maybe a surprise round for an additional attack on the part of the ambusher.

 

[Ogrork the Mighty]

There's a jumping attack feat in Complete Adventurer.

 

[Starglim]

If the attacker succeeds on a Jump check, a charge plus bonus for higher ground would seem to cover it.

The victim may take falling damage, but I have a feeling it should be reduced by at least 1 die because the object impacting is relatively soft, and also because the attacker is already doing impact damage as part of its attack.

 

[Caliban]

However, if the PC has combat reflexes, or is aware of the monster before it drops and has initiative, the creature will provoke an AoO for moving through the PC's threatened area.

 

[TheGogmagog]

Adding charge (+2 to hit?), higher ground (+1 to hit) and falling damage (1d6/10 ft?)is quite a bit of extra attack and damage bonuses to a flat footed character. If you are adding all these bonuses, make sure the hidden creature actually has cover or concealment and spot checks are made. I hate the dm's that say "ha ha ha you didn't say 'I look up' when you entered the room, I add additional +3 to hit and Xd6 damage."

 

[DM_Matt]

Adding charge (+2 to hit?), higher ground (+1 to hit) and falling damage (1d6/10 ft?)is quite a bit of extra attack and damage bonuses to a flat footed character. If you are adding all these bonuses, make sure the hidden creature actually has cover or concealment and spot checks are made. I hate the dm's that say "ha ha ha you didn't say 'I look up' when you entered the room, I add additional +3 to hit and Xd6 damage."

Once my character awoke one morning in total darkness. The DM eventually said I failed to specify that I open my eyes. He was a real @$$h013, that one.

 

[Fieari]

I once -sortof- did the "You didn't look up" thing. Except in my case, my player specifically stated that he was staring at the ground, studying it. Because there was this circle of light being cast there, you see. I figured that it would be fair enough to say that if you're studying the ground intently, you probably aren't looking up and thus didn't give him the check.