Post/Author/DateTime	Post
#1 El_Condoro May 22, 2015 16:06:54	The MM p. 8: Climb. A monster that has a climbing speed can use all or part of its movement to move on vertical surfaces. The monster doesn't need to spend extra movement to climb.   Brown and black bears have a climbing speed of 30 ft.   How would you adjudicate a character (druid) wanting to climb a 50 ft. castle wall shapechanged as one of those bears? Personally, I struggle to see either creature being able to do it, especially the large brown bear, but the rules seem to 'allow' it.   How would you, as DM, narrate the attempt? Would you say "That's epic: a bear climbing a castle wall at normal speed," or "The law of gravity and the bear's nail strength preclude that action," or something else?   The purpose of this post is more about how to adjudicate when something seems unreasonable (define how you like) but is allowed by the rules. And, yes, I know the DM is 'the rules' and decides what is or is not 'allowed' but if a DM did not allow the bear to climb the castle wall, a player might want to discuss the ruling.
#2 iserith May 22, 2015 16:39:49	How reasonable a thing is trumps the rules. Rulings over rules, right?   That said, I'm totally down with a druid in bear-form scaling a castle wall. I'd ask for a check if I thought the outcome was uncertain (such as in the case of trying to avoid falling rocks or boiling oil).   My general position is that if a player thinks a thing is reasonable, then I'm going to try and find a way to think it's reasonable too. I assume players are playing in good faith in this regard.
#3 Qzoo May 23, 2015 10:00:30	It's cool.  I'd allow it.   Why?   1. Because it is in the rules, and if you start breaking a very straightforward rule like climbing the player might feel cheated, and start wondering what else you will break for his character in the future.   2. Because it is fantasy, and it is much more fantastic to me that he can even change into bear form in the first place.  Climbing a wall should not seem like a big deal in comparison to that.   3. Because it's cool.  And you should always allow players to do what is cool as long as it doesn't break the game.  It makes it fun for them, and that's why we all game.   If something like this does, "break the game," for you, then remember that you still control difficulty as the DM.  If you want it to be nearly impossible, then set a high DC value, and let the players know that the climb is nearly impossible for them without some kind of assistance, like with a rope.  That means no bears will be climbing that wall.   As a DM I might say, "Roland, it looks like you have the most climbing experience, with your climb skill at 13.  As you look at the wall, you don't see sufficient handholds to grab.  If you had some time, and a small pick axe, you could try to make your own handholds, but a rope is simply the most practical solution.  The rest of the party cannot even imagine climbing the wall itself."    Ultimately, you have to figure something out that makes sense for you, and keeps things fun for everyone.  Good DM'ing is always a balancing act.   Good luck!