Rule
Fall Damage
Homebrew · EoR · 2024
Fall damage is an important part of some dungeons and encounters, as some enemies may push characters into great heights or vice versa. Here are some optional rules about fall damage based on the creature's size and what happens if a creature attempts to land on another creature.
As a rule of thumb a character descends 500 ft. in a round.
Size Matters
Fall damage depends on height and size.
| Size | Fall Damage | For Every X/Y Feet |
|---|---|---|
| Tiny | 1d4 | 15/60 |
| Small | 1d6 | 10/30 |
| Medium | 1d8 | 20/40 |
| Large | 1d10 | 10/60 |
| Huge | 2d12 | 20/90 |
| Gargantuan | 2d20 | 30/60 |
X stands for a creature's minimum amount needed to fall before taking a damage.
Y stands for when the damage is increased by doubling the dice.
For example, if a medium creature falls 30 feet, it takes 3d8 damage but if it falls 50 feet, it takes more damage than regular: it increases by 1d8 for each 10 feet that exceeds 40. In this case, it takes a normal amount of damage 5d8 for falling 50 feet and the damage increases by 1d8 because it fell 10 feet more after the designated number of 40 for a total of 6d8.
If a creature willingly jumps from a certain height that would damage itself to inflict damage on other creatures or gain the upper hand in combat, it gets no damage reduction, rather, the target creature could be damaged by the falling creature. Check out the table below for the optional rules.
The first column is in comparison to the attacker and the target and the attacker can cover more area due to its size and there may be more than one target because of it. For example, a mammoth could leap and target about seven medium or smaller creatures that happen to be very close to each other.
The DC is for Dexterity saving throws. In cases of failures and success check out the relevant columns.
Golden Rule: If a creature wants to target another creature this way, they must use their action. If they don't, simply follow this rule before consulting the table below: The character that is about to be hit by a falling character must succeed on a DC 15 Dexterity saving throw.
| Attacker's Size | Example | DC | Failure | Success |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Smaller Size | The attacker is small and the target is large. | 10 | Same amount of the falling damage minus 1d8 bludgeoning damage. | Half amount of the falling damage minus 1d8 bludgeoning damage. |
| Same Size | Both the attacker and the target are medium. | 13 | Same amount of the falling damage | Half amount of the falling damage |
| One Size Larger | The attacker is large and the target is medium. | 15 | Same amount of the falling damage + 2d8 bludgeoning damage more. | Half amount of the falling damage + 1d8 bludgeoning damage. |
| Two Sizes Larger | The attacker is huge and the target is medium. | 17 | Same amount of the falling damage + 4d8 bludgeoning damage more. | Half amount of the Falling Damage + 1d8 bludgeoning damage. |
| Three Sizes Larger | The attacker is large and the target is tiny. | 20 | Double amount of the falling damage. | Same amount of falling damage. |
| Four Sizes Larger | The attacker is gargantuan and the target is small. | 22 | Double amount of the falling damage + 2d10 bludgeoning damage. | Same amount of the falling damage + 1d10 bludgeoning damage. |
| Five or More Sizes Larger | The attacker is gargantuan and the target is tiny. | 25 | Triple amount of the falling damage. | Double amount of the falling damage. |
Perfect Landing
The falling creatures may attempt, as a reaction, to fix their posture and position and align themselves to neglect fall damage to an extent. When a creature is about to hit the surface and falls no more than 30 ft, it can make a DC 15 Dexterity saving throw to reduce the damage by 1d8 + its Dexterity modifier.
Slow Fall: The Monk Class gains the Slow Fall ability at Level 4. Until Level 4, if a monk spends 1 Ki Point on their attempt at a perfect landing, they also roll their Martial Arts die and reduce the total from their damage as well.
Falling on Water
The creatures that fall on water must make a DC 10 Strength (Athletics) check or DC 10 Dexterity (Acrobatics) check to make a good landing on water, heads or feet first. On a successful save, their fall is considered one category lower while taking damage. For example, a medium creature falling from 30 feet is considered to have fallen from 20 feet high.