How Far Can a Barbarian Jump in D&D 5e? A Comprehensive Guide
Fast answer first. Then use the tabs or video for more detail.
- Watch the video explanation below for a faster overview.
- Game mechanics may change with updates or patches.
- Use this block to get the short answer without scrolling the whole page.
- Read the FAQ section if the article has one.
- Use the table of contents to jump straight to the detailed section you need.
- Watch the video first, then skim the article for specifics.
A common question among Dungeons & Dragons 5th Edition (5e) players, especially those wielding a mighty axe as a Barbarian, is: just how far can my character jump? The answer, like many things in D&D, isn’t a simple number. It depends on a variety of factors, most notably Strength, proficiency, and access to certain spells and abilities. Let’s break it down. A level 20 Barbarian with a Strength score of 24 could long jump 24 feet naturally. However, this is just the beginning.
The base long jump distance is equal to your Strength score in feet. So, a level 20 Barbarian with the maximum Strength of 24 can naturally jump 24 feet as a base. However, it’s the modifiers that can truly launch your Barbarian across vast distances. The Jump spell triples your jump distance, so that base 24-foot jump becomes 72 feet. Add a running start, athletic proficiency, and perhaps even some magical assistance, and a Barbarian can cover an amazing distance in a single bound. The maximum jump distance is therefore not a fixed number, but rather a result of stacking multiple effects.
Understanding the Basics of Jumping in 5e
Before diving into the maximums, let’s cover the basic mechanics. There are two types of jumps:
Long Jump
A long jump is used to cross horizontal distances. The base distance you can cover is equal to your Strength score (in feet) if you move at least 10 feet on foot immediately before the jump. If you do not move at least 10 feet before the jump, you can only jump half that distance.
High Jump
A high jump is used to reach vertical heights. When you make a high jump, you leap into the air a number of feet equal to 3 + your Strength modifier if you move at least 10 feet on foot immediately before the jump. When you make a standing high jump, you can jump only half that distance.
Factors That Increase Jump Distance
Several factors can dramatically increase a Barbarian’s jumping capabilities. Here are the most significant:
Strength Score
As stated before, a Barbarian’s Strength is the foundation of their jump distance. A higher strength score allows for a greater distance jump. At level 20, a Barbarian can achieve a maximum Strength score of 24.
Athletics Proficiency
A successful Athletics check is often required when attempting a jump over a difficult obstacle. While a good roll won’t increase the maximum distance, it ensures you can jump to your maximum capacity without falling short. On a natural 20, an Athletics check can have a dramatic impact, reaching totals of 33 (or higher), adding to the base.
Jump Spell
The Jump spell is crucial for maximizing jump distance. It triples the distance of both long and high jumps for the duration of the spell. This can turn a modest leap into an impressive bound.
Magical Items
Certain magic items, such as the Boots of Springing and Striding, also triple your jump distance. These items stack with other effects, including the Jump spell.
Class Abilities
Some class features, like the Monk’s Step of the Wind, double jump distance, but don’t stack with other methods of jump doubling. Monks can also use their bonus action to Dash. While this specific feature is for monks, it is worth noting that different classes have abilities that can interact with jumps.
Maximum Barbarian Jump Distance: Putting It All Together
So, how far can a Barbarian really jump? Let’s consider the best-case scenario:
- Level 20 Barbarian with a Strength score of 24.
- Proficiency in Athletics (let’s say a +7 modifier, with a max of 33 on a nat 20)
- Jump spell cast.
- Moving at least 10 feet before the jump.
- Using a running long jump.
Here’s the breakdown:
Base Long Jump Distance: 24 feet
Jump spell: triples this to 72 feet.
Potential impact of Athletics: 57 feet. With a jump spell, this could become 171 feet.
However, the numbers are a bit more complex. The 57-foot calculation in the document results from adding the modifier total to the base strength, and then having that total jump 3 times, using the jump spell. However, the modifier should only be added to the roll and not the base jumping distance. Because of this, we can calculate that the most a barbarian can long jump is 72 feet with the jump spell.
Base High Jump Distance: 3 + Strength modifier (3 + 7 = 10 feet)
Standing High Jump distance 10/2 = 5 feet.
Movement High Jump Distance: 10 feet
Jump spell: triples this to 30 feet.
Potential impact of Athletics on high jump: This isn’t as relevant as we are calculating the maximum jump height, rather than distance. The total of the modifiers 3 + 7 = 10 feet. With a running jump and the jump spell, this is tripled to 30 feet.
The numbers presented in the original document are not correct, but these calculations account for all the relevant factors and provide the correct maximum jumps for a Barbarian in 5e.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. Does a running start always matter for a jump?
Yes, a running start of at least 10 feet is crucial for reaching your maximum jump distance. Without it, your long and high jump distances are halved.
2. Can I use Dash action to extend a running start?
Yes, using the Dash action before your jump will give you the 10 feet you need to use your maximum distance.
3. Does heavy armor affect jumping ability?
Heavy armor does not directly affect your ability to jump. However, Barbarians can’t use rage with heavy armor so consider whether that is worth the trade-off.
4. Can magical items further increase jump distances?
Yes, items like the Boots of Springing and Striding triple your jump distance and stacks with the Jump spell.
5. How does the Athletics skill check impact a jump?
While the athletics check is not relevant for increasing your maximum distance jump (outside of a nat 20), you still need to pass an athletics check to cross challenging terrain or make a long jump to a specific point. If your roll is too low, you can fail to make the jump.
6. What is the highest possible Strength score in 5e for a Barbarian?
At level 20, a Barbarian’s capstone feature grants them a maximum strength of 24.
7. Can a Barbarian jump farther than their Strength score?
Yes, through various means like the Jump spell, magical items, and class features, a Barbarian can jump well beyond their base strength score in feet.
8. How do dire wolfs compare to barbarians in their jump height?
A dire wolf, with a Strength of 17, can jump up to 17 feet or leap up to 6 feet if it moved 10 feet before the jump. A Barbarian will always outclass this with their higher strength and jump abilities.
9. Does the Jump spell apply to both long and high jumps?
Yes, the Jump spell triples both your long jump distance and your high jump height.
10. Is there a way to fly further in 5e?
The fly speed is set at 60, including both your vertical and horizontal movement, which is the default speed for flight, and can be increased using spells.
11. Does a Tabaxi’s Feline Agility increase jumping?
A Tabaxi’s Feline Agility doubles their speed but does not directly increase their jump distance. It can however assist you in getting a long running start.
12. How does carrying capacity impact jumps?
Carrying capacity does not directly affect jumping but if you’re carrying too much weight, you’ll be encumbered, which reduces your movement speed. Less movement equals a shorter running start which equals a shorter jump.
13. Can Barbarians lift enormous weights?
Yes, a level 20 barbarian can lift up to 11,520 pounds and carry 5,760. A barbarian’s carrying and lifting capacity is determined by their Strength score.
14. How does levitate interact with spikes and other environmental hazards?
Levitate makes a creature immune to things such as spikes and webs, and is resistant to Stealth Rock.
15. What are some great feats for barbarians?
Some great feats for barbarians are Great Weapon Master, Sentinel, and Tough.
Conclusion
A Barbarian’s ability to jump isn’t limited to their Strength score alone. By combining class abilities, spells, magical items, and a bit of strategy, a Barbarian can achieve extraordinary feats of leaping and bounding in D&D 5e. This combination makes for an exciting dimension of play for a class that is so fundamentally associated with raw power. Remember to always check your calculations and understand the rules to get the most out of your mighty barbarian’s movement!