How Far Do You Fall in 6 Seconds in D&D?
In the world of Dungeons & Dragons 5th Edition (D&D 5e), the question of how far a character falls in a given timeframe has a surprisingly straightforward answer, albeit one that often deviates from real-world physics. The short answer is: a character falls 500 feet in 6 seconds in D&D, assuming they don’t hit the ground or another obstacle before that point. This is a crucial rule for understanding the dangers of heights and how falling damage is calculated in the game. This seemingly instantaneous drop happens within what’s defined as a single round, which in D&D is precisely 6 seconds of in-game time.
The D&D Falling Rule Explained
The 500-foot drop rule in D&D 5e is a simplification for gameplay purposes. It disregards real-world factors like acceleration due to gravity, air resistance, and terminal velocity. Instead, the game prioritizes a streamlined system that is easier to manage during combat and exploration. Rather than tracking the precise distance an object travels per second due to an accelerating rate of gravity, D&D implements a cap to the distance you can fall in a single round.
When a creature falls from a height, it instantly descends up to 500 feet. This means if your character is pushed from a cliff that is 1000 feet high, they don’t fall 500 feet and then pause and fall another 500 feet. Instead, during that first 6-second period, the character will drop the full 500 feet. If the character is still falling at the start of their next turn (after those 6 seconds), they will descend up to another 500 feet at the end of that turn.
Falling Damage in D&D
Falling is dangerous. In D&D, you take bludgeoning damage from falls exceeding 10 feet. The amount of damage increases the farther you fall. For every 10 feet fallen, a creature takes 1d6 bludgeoning damage. This means if a character falls 30 feet, they will take 3d6 bludgeoning damage. There is also no additional limit imposed. So a character who falls 1000 feet will take 100d6 bludgeoning damage. The D&D damage calculation can be quite severe, highlighting the significant danger of falling in the game.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) About Falling in D&D
Here are some frequently asked questions about falling and related rules in D&D 5e, providing a deeper understanding of this critical aspect of the game:
1. How does D&D falling compare to real-world physics?
D&D simplifies the physics of falling for gameplay. In reality, objects accelerate due to gravity, reaching a terminal velocity. D&D’s 500 feet per round system isn’t realistic. In real life, a person would only fall about 180 meters (approx 590 feet) in 6 seconds. After this amount of time, a falling human will be falling at their terminal velocity.
2. Does falling speed increase during multiple rounds of falling in D&D?
No, in D&D, the rate of falling does not change. Each round, a character will fall up to 500 feet until they reach the ground or stop falling. There is no accelerating increase of falling distance.
3. What happens if a character falls less than 500 feet?
If a character falls less than 500 feet in the first round, they simply stop falling when they hit the ground or an obstruction. They fall the entire distance instantly in the six-second round, and don’t fall that distance at any given rate. If a character falls 20 feet, they only fall those 20 feet, and take 2d6 bludgeoning damage.
4. Can a character take actions while falling?
Yes and no. A character can often use reactions during a fall. However, they can’t take an action or use movement as part of the fall. A character is also able to use reactions to mitigate falling damage with some feats, spells and class features.
5. How does falling damage work with halved damage?
If a player has resistance to bludgeoning damage, all damage from the fall is halved before it is calculated. A 50-foot fall would deal 5d6 bludgeoning damage which is then halved.
6. How does the feather fall spell affect falling?
The feather fall spell allows a falling creature to descend very slowly, negating the bludgeoning damage from the fall. This spell is an important tool for characters who find themselves airborne and in a dangerous situation.
7. Can you grab onto things while falling in D&D?
A character can make an action to attempt to grab a ledge or another character while falling. If they have a reaction left, they may also attempt to use it. If the character has a hand, wing, or similar to grab onto something, they may attempt a skill check (usually Strength (Athletics)) to hold onto the edge. If successful, the character will stop their fall at that point.
8. What are some ways to mitigate falling damage?
There are many ways to reduce or eliminate damage from falling. The aforementioned Feather Fall spell, the Monk’s Slow Fall ability, and various magic items can all help a character survive a significant fall. Some classes and subclasses also have unique features that can help.
9. Does the weight of a character impact the speed or distance they fall?
No. In D&D, the weight of a creature or object does not change the speed or distance of the fall. All objects fall the same distance per round.
10. Can a flying creature ever fall in D&D?
Yes. A flying creature will fall if they are incapacitated, stunned or if their flight is stopped by some means. The fall rules for flying creatures are the same as non-flying creatures. The creature will fall 500 feet per round unless otherwise stopped.
11. How does falling prone interact with falling?
Falling prone does not affect the distance that you fall. However, it may affect your actions as prone creatures generally have a disadvantage in actions requiring physical movement.
12. How far can humans walk per second in D&D?
Humans have a base walking speed of 30 feet per round, which is 5 feet per second. While not related to the falling rules, it gives a sense of movement within the time constraints of the game.
13. How high can a human jump in D&D?
A human can jump a height equal to 3 + their Strength modifier if they moved at least 10 feet before the jump. A standing high jump is half that distance. This movement also costs the character movement.
14. What is the longest fall a creature can survive in D&D?
Without any damage mitigation, there is no limit to the amount of damage a character can take from falling. There is also no way to survive a fall beyond the use of spells and abilities. So a fall of 1000 feet could be fatal to a low level character. It’s important to note that the fall damage is bludgeoning. This damage can be resisted and reduced.
15. How does the concept of terminal velocity play out in D&D?
Terminal velocity, which is when a falling object stops accelerating, is not a factor in D&D 5e. The game rule of 500 feet per round supersedes the terminal velocity found in real-world physics. There is no limit to the speed a creature can fall.
Conclusion
Understanding the rules for falling in D&D is crucial for avoiding unnecessary damage and potentially fatal situations in your games. While it’s a simplification of real-world physics, it provides a consistent framework for gameplay, and when you play D&D, remember the rule of 500 feet per round, which is 6 seconds, and that every 10 feet you fall equates to 1d6 of bludgeoning damage. By familiarizing yourself with these rules and related spells and abilities, you can approach these scenarios with a better strategy for survival.