When you have to jump during combat in DND 5e, it is important to understand the rules for jumping and the specifics for the long and high jumps.
The fifth edition of dungeons and dragons (DND 5e) is well-known for being one of the most approachable versions of the game.
However, this does not mean that all the rules are straightforward. The rules for jumping in combat for DND 5e can be broken down into the basics and then specifics for the long- and high jumps.
Is DND 5e really more approachable than previous versions?
Although players are often in disagreement about which aspects of the game they enjoy and which should be changed or changed back in the versions to come, one thing that is very clear is that DND 5e is the most approachable version of the game to date.
Although tabletop games like DND should make it fairly simple for newcomers to join in under the guidance of the dungeon master and teammates, the simplified rules and combat features, weapons and armour make this fifth edition much easier for new players to comprehend and follow.
DND 5e: Jumping in combat
Even though DND 5e is such an approachable edition of this game and the rulebook is slightly simplified when compared to some of the other DND editions, some of the more obscure rules and progressions tend to confuse and deter players.
One of the examples of such rules are the rules for jumping in DND 5e. Whether you are travelling through treacherous terrains or you desperately need to escape a few assassins during combat, it is essential that you understand how jumping will affect your movement, so that you can plan accordingly.
Your dungeon master may choose to summarise movement without mentioning exact distances, or you could be in a situation where it is imperative to know if it is possible for your characters to get from point A to point B.
You may even not know how long this will take, which is why it is important to understand how jumping in combat works in the format of the fifth edition.
There are two main kinds of jumps that you can use during combat in DND 5e. This includes the long jump and the high jump.
However, the best way to go about understanding this type of movement is to understand the basic rules first and to then move on the specifics of both the long jump and the high jump.
The basics of jumping during combat for DND 5e
When playing DND 5e, there are several basic rules that will guide you for how the long jumps and high jumps work within combat and it helps to understand these first before you start going into specific rules for each of these kinds of jumps.
These basic rules can be summarised as follows:
- Your strength will always determine how far you can jump
- You will have to move at least 10 feet on foot in any direction immediately before you jump. If you choose to do a standing jump, where you do not move this 10-feet, your jump will only be half the distance
- In some cases, your dungeon master can choose to let you roll DC 10 Strength or Athletics check to allow you to increase your distance or to clear a small obstacle while you jump
The rules for making a long jump in DND 5e
Once you know the basic rules of jumping in combat for DND 5e, it is much easier to understand the specific rules for making a long jump. This type of jump will work well if you need to cross a stream or similar obstacle but will not help you to save on movement.
The distance that you can travel with a long jump will be the same as your strength score. It is important to note that jumping in combat is equal to what walking would be in combat when you need to deduct it from your movement speed, and you should remember to add the 10 extra feet if you are not doing a standing jump.
You will have to roll DC 10 Dexterity or Acrobatics check if you are landing in difficult terrain.
The rules for making a high jump in DND 5e
The rules from the high jump differ slightly from the long jump but keep the same basics. In this case, the height of your jump is equal to three feet plus your Strength modifier.
Since this gives you so little height to work with, you can extend your arms to be half of your height during your jump, and this can help you to jump higher.
