What is the penalty for Climbing one-handed?? [Archive] - Wizards Community

What is the penalty for Climbing one-handed?? [Archive] - Wizards Community

Post/Author/DateTime Post
ForeheadElminster
11-18-07, 09:27 PM The Climb skill declares "You need both hands free to climb" (PHB p69) but surely it's not epic to climb ship's rigging while holding a rapier (or greatsword) in one hand. What is the appropriate climb check penalty, and is there any support in the RAW or RAI?
BaelinWhale
11-18-07, 09:34 PM Not officially stated, but a penalty of -10 penalty for climbing one-handed would be a feasible penalty to represent the monumental effort needed to succeed.
runestar
11-18-07, 09:36 PM The closest precedent I can think of is the "Hand of Tyr" feat from Waterdeep.

It requires you to give up the use of your right hand in exchange for a few benefits. One of the drawbacks of having just one hand listed is -4 to climb checks. I guess that might be an appropriate penalty to use...
Jaxgaret
11-18-07, 10:41 PM The closest precedent I can think of is the "Hand of Tyr" feat from Waterdeep.

It requires you to give up the use of your right hand in exchange for a few benefits. One of the drawbacks of having just one hand listed is -4 to climb checks. I guess that might be an appropriate penalty to use...

That's it? Hmm, not so bad. I would've gone with -10 as well, but I guess if you only have one arm you compensate by using your legs and body more.

Ah, but perhaps it is -4 because you become used to climbing with only one hand, having practiced it. I might say that an unpracticed one-hand climb (i.e. anyone attempting to climb one-handed without the Hand of Tyr feat) gets a -6, -8, or -10 to Climb checks.
Tectorman
11-19-07, 02:58 PM In Savage Species, it states that if you are a creature with a form without traditional arms, you take a -8 penalty to all Climb checks. So I assume it'd be -4.
Jaxgaret
11-19-07, 04:45 PM In Savage Species, it states that if you are a creature with a form without traditional arms, you take a -8 penalty to all Climb checks. So I assume it'd be -4.

Again, that is a condition that the creature has had for all of its life - it is used to having no arms. A person climbing one-handed who hasn't practiced doing so will not have as easy a time as a person who has practiced it, i.e. who has the Hand of Tyr feat.

So, in your case, you might give a character without the Hand of Tyr feat a -6 to Climb checks if you think that they should Climb better than creatures with no arms.
runestar
11-19-07, 08:48 PM Then just say that your PC has had some experience climbing 1-handed and get it over and done with.:D
Jaxgaret
11-19-07, 10:28 PM Then just say that your PC has had some experience climbing 1-handed and get it over and done with.:D

You could go that route as well :)
Raxxman
11-20-07, 09:04 AM -10!

Why do you think Pirates carry swords in their teeth?

Chomp down on that greatsword boyo
KIDS
11-20-07, 05:04 PM Jozan in PHB's climb skill description somehow climbed up without using a single hand and likely no penalty. So should you...*

*provided your DM is asleep...

Post/Author/DateTime	Post
ForeheadElminster 11-18-07, 09:27 PM	The Climb skill declares "You need both hands free to climb" (PHB p69) but surely it's not epic to climb ship's rigging while holding a rapier (or greatsword) in one hand. What is the appropriate climb check penalty, and is there any support in the RAW or RAI?
BaelinWhale 11-18-07, 09:34 PM	Not officially stated, but a penalty of -10 penalty for climbing one-handed would be a feasible penalty to represent the monumental effort needed to succeed.
runestar 11-18-07, 09:36 PM	The closest precedent I can think of is the "Hand of Tyr" feat from Waterdeep. It requires you to give up the use of your right hand in exchange for a few benefits. One of the drawbacks of having just one hand listed is -4 to climb checks. I guess that might be an appropriate penalty to use...
Jaxgaret 11-18-07, 10:41 PM	The closest precedent I can think of is the "Hand of Tyr" feat from Waterdeep. It requires you to give up the use of your right hand in exchange for a few benefits. One of the drawbacks of having just one hand listed is -4 to climb checks. I guess that might be an appropriate penalty to use... That's it? Hmm, not so bad. I would've gone with -10 as well, but I guess if you only have one arm you compensate by using your legs and body more. Ah, but perhaps it is -4 because you become used to climbing with only one hand, having practiced it. I might say that an unpracticed one-hand climb (i.e. anyone attempting to climb one-handed without the Hand of Tyr feat) gets a -6, -8, or -10 to Climb checks.
Tectorman 11-19-07, 02:58 PM	In Savage Species, it states that if you are a creature with a form without traditional arms, you take a -8 penalty to all Climb checks. So I assume it'd be -4.
Jaxgaret 11-19-07, 04:45 PM	In Savage Species, it states that if you are a creature with a form without traditional arms, you take a -8 penalty to all Climb checks. So I assume it'd be -4. Again, that is a condition that the creature has had for all of its life - it is used to having no arms. A person climbing one-handed who hasn't practiced doing so will not have as easy a time as a person who has practiced it, i.e. who has the Hand of Tyr feat. So, in your case, you might give a character without the Hand of Tyr feat a -6 to Climb checks if you think that they should Climb better than creatures with no arms.
runestar 11-19-07, 08:48 PM	Then just say that your PC has had some experience climbing 1-handed and get it over and done with.:D
Jaxgaret 11-19-07, 10:28 PM	Then just say that your PC has had some experience climbing 1-handed and get it over and done with.:D You could go that route as well :)
Raxxman 11-20-07, 09:04 AM	-10! Why do you think Pirates carry swords in their teeth? Chomp down on that greatsword boyo
KIDS 11-20-07, 05:04 PM	Jozan in PHB's climb skill description somehow climbed up without using a single hand and likely no penalty. So should you...* *provided your DM is asleep...