Size and Space

[Juggernaut]

Does a human who is prone still only take up a 5' x5' space? And if so how does this work since most humans are over 5' tall. Shouldn't they take up a 5' x 10' space? Same thing with when they are standing. Do they only take up a 5' x 5' x5' cube or is it 5x5x10?

I can't seem to find in the rules where the 3rd dimension is addressed. With flying creatures and the ability for non flying creatures to fly the 3rd dimension definitely needs to be addressed.

 

[Hypersmurf]

Does a human who is prone still only take up a 5' x5' space? And if so how does this work since most humans are over 5' tall.

A prone human always falls along the diagonal of the square, which is seven feet long.

It's eerie, like dropping cats or buttered bread. But somehow that's how they land every time.

-Hyp.

 

[Ferox4]

It's eerie, like dropping cats or buttered bread. But somehow that's how they land every time.

-Hyp.

That's funny.

 

[uzagi_akimbo]

hmm, in my campaign they just always curl up in a catatonic ball, moaning and writhing in pain when being prone...... Strange. What exact recipe are you using ?

in a more sober mood - yes, they only take up one 5'x5' square. It's a rule shortcut , implemented to prevent debates about how much space exactly hHobbits, puny elves or stout dwarves require when they drop prone (and if they can be stacked, especially if dismembered or if they will simply roll off. like in cases of particularly fat hobbits )

Uzagi_Akimbo
Higher being in charge of painful, improvised and utterly sudden Doom

 

[silentspace]

Can't remember where it says so, but small and medium creatures take up 5x5x5' in 3d. This applies when flying, swimming, astrally, etc. You can be attacked by up to 26 other small/medium size creatures. They'd all be flanking. As Hyp said, creatures taller than 5' are always eerily on the diagonal

 

[silentspace]

Found it in Manual of the Planes, Combat in Three Dimensions sidebar. Is that considered core?

 

[Juggernaut]

It just doesn't seem right that if someone was standing on a 10 foot wall they could not reach a 6'7" human to hit them, But if that same person was standing on a 5 foot wall they could hit the same human who was lying on the ground (making him about a foot tall)

I've heard the arguments that you don't stand straight when you fight... I understand that but you also dont crouch down two feet either. But I guess for the sake of game mechanics and simplicity it makes sense.

My next question is when does the standard cube rule cease? Is the cube the standard rule unless stated otherwise? When something such as a 50' gargantuan Animated statue (as mentioned on pg 149 of PHB) is tripped or falls (as a result of death, lack of balance, or whatever) how does it fit in its 20' x 20' square?

 

[Ferox4]

It just doesn't seem right that if someone was standing on a 10 foot wall they could not reach a 6'7" human to hit them, But if that same person was standing on a 5 foot wall they could hit the same human who was lying on the ground (making him about a foot tall)

I've heard the arguments that you don't stand straight when you fight... I understand that but you also dont crouch down two feet either. But I guess for the sake of game mechanics and simplicity it makes sense.

My next question is when does the standard cube rule cease? Is the cube the standard rule unless stated otherwise? When something such as a 50' gargantuan Animated statue (as mentioned on pg 149 of PHB) is tripped or falls (as a result of death, lack of balance, or whatever) how does it fit in its 20' x 20' square?

It ceases whenever the situation makes sense. The gargantuan animated statue would indeed topple over into a larger area (roll 1d8 for direction) and any PC or NPC in the squares of the fall would get a Reflex save to avoid taking damage as per damage from falling objects. It's simply a matter of adjudicating the situation.

I've had PCs try to jump up to hit a creature flying just out of normal reach, or to hit a guy on the wall. I give them a Jump check (DC 15 or higher depending on situation) and if they succeed they take a -4 penalty, otherwise it's a -8 penalty and then, regardless of the Jump check result, they need a Balance check to see if they land on their feet after the attack.

Making PCs use their skills to at least provide a chance at the normally "impossible because the rules say so" situation is almost always better than just saying, "Nope, you cannot do that cuz it says so on page...."

Sure, they are times when the PCs are going to push the envelope on what is heroic and what is nigh on ludicrous. It's our job as referees to figure out not only the when but the how, using the enormous system of mechanics available in this game.

Ok, pontificating over.