Proposal -- YAFDHR (Yet Another Falling Damage House Rule)

[Kerrick]

I was going over the falling rules for my own system, and I realized that this system doesn't deal with reduced falls very well. You could just deal nonlethal damage as normal, but then you're dealing with hit point damage AND Con damage - a little odd, IMO; I'd rather have all the damage be the same. What about reducing it by 1 point/die for jumping, successful checks, or anything else that would normally deal nonlethal damage?

So, the PC who slips from a 30-foot ledge takes 3d6-6 Con damage; if he jumps, he takes 2d6-4; if he makes a Tumble check, he takes 2d6-6.

 

[Jeff Wilder]

You could just deal nonlethal damage as normal, but then you're dealing with hit point damage AND Con damage - a little odd, IMO; I'd rather have all the damage be the same.

Well, if you think about it, under the RAW you're tracking two different kinds of damage anyway, so my suggestion isn't any worse in that respect.

On the other hand, if it's a bother from a more absolute perspective, I think the simplest thing is to just subtract 10 feet from the distance fallen, for purposes of damage. It really doesn't make that much of a difference, and the simplicity is probably worth it. Personally, however, I'd probably rule that falls beyond a certain height -- maybe 40 or 50 feet -- can't be mitigated by Jump or Tumble checks (though of course they could be by soft ground).

Your suggestion would work fine, too, of course.