turnip_farmer
Adventurer
Would make underwater combat a bit dull if you couldn't swim and hit someone on the same turn.
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.What specifically is the check for?
I would say, rule of cool. Athletics check or stunned for one round sinking 30 or 60 feet.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.
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.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.
I figured it was a check to basically tread water and not sink like a stone.
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.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.