Hill/Mountain terrain, Climb DCs, and a Narrated Video - Downloaded from the Wizards Community, all coding removed by Solauren

Post/Author/DateTime	Post
#1 EsperOfNovaura Jan 23, 2015 22:51:12	Impudent hill brigands, narrated combat, advice for encounter building, and terrain features: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lfEu_AwXzoc&list=UUWSugqsoAdTQumuRVGdXz7w Hill and Mountain Terrain The terrain found in hills and mountains share some common features, with the main difference being that the peaks and ridges of mountains are much higher and rugged. Elevation is the most prominent feature in hills and mountains. There are slopes, cliffs, crevices, and areas where the ground rises higher. Remember that slopes, like stairs, are difficult terrain. As well, falling deals 1d6 points of bludgeoning damage per 10 feet. Other guidelines I use are: A character may move at full speed down a slope with a successful DC 10 Acrobatics check. Failure means the character almost stumbles and he moves only 5 feet. Failure by 5 or more means the character moves 5 feet then falls prone. If a character falls more than 10 feet, and he is within arm's reach of a surface, he can attempt a Strength (athletics) check to catch himself. The DC equals the surface's climb DC + 5. Climb DCs: DC 0 (ladder) DC 5 (knotted rope; steep stairs) DC 10 (angled surface with lots of handholds and ledges; typical boulder; tree with lots of low limbs) DC 10 (pull yourself up while dangling) DC 10 (rope; ship's rigging) DC 15 (steeply-angled surface with moderate handholds; typical tree) DC 20 (vertical surface with very narrow handholds; masonry wall) DC 25 (superior masonry wall) +5 (the surface is slippery) A character proficient in Acrobatics can reduce falling damage. He makes a Dexterity (acrobatics) check, and reduces the falling damage by an amount equal to 1/2 what he rolled. If he takes no damage from the fall, he does not land prone. Other features common to hills and mountains are: Rocky ground or debris (difficult terrain) Large rocks and boulders (cover, depending upon size and character positioning; climbable) Trees (cover; climbable) Brush or bushes (difficult terrain; lightly obscured) Further advanced features you can explore when it comes to hills and mountains, are: Caves and barrows Snow drifts and avalanches Rockslides and falling boulders Dangerous high altitudes Erupting volcanoes (quick note: I originally posted this in the general discussion forum, but I am thinking it is actually a better fit in the DM section)
#2 warpiglet Jan 26, 2015 4:15:10	Useful. Thanks

Impudent hill brigands, narrated combat, advice for encounter building, and terrain features:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lfEu_AwXzoc&list=UUWSugqsoAdTQumuRVGdXz7w

Hill and Mountain Terrain

The terrain found in hills and mountains share some common features, with the main difference being that the peaks and ridges of mountains are much higher and rugged.

Elevation is the most prominent feature in hills and mountains. There are slopes, cliffs, crevices, and areas where the ground rises higher. Remember that slopes, like stairs, are difficult terrain. As well, falling deals 1d6 points of bludgeoning damage per 10 feet. Other guidelines I use are:

A character may move at full speed down a slope with a successful DC 10 Acrobatics check. Failure means the character almost stumbles and he moves only 5 feet. Failure by 5 or more means the character moves 5 feet then falls prone.

If a character falls more than 10 feet, and he is within arm's reach of a surface, he can attempt a Strength (athletics) check to catch himself. The DC equals the surface's climb DC + 5.

Climb DCs:

DC 0 (ladder)

DC 5 (knotted rope; steep stairs)

DC 10 (angled surface with lots of handholds and ledges; typical boulder; tree with lots of low limbs)

DC 10 (pull yourself up while dangling)

DC 10 (rope; ship's rigging)

DC 15 (steeply-angled surface with moderate handholds; typical tree)

DC 20 (vertical surface with very narrow handholds; masonry wall)

DC 25 (superior masonry wall)

+5 (the surface is slippery)

A character proficient in Acrobatics can reduce falling damage. He makes a Dexterity (acrobatics) check, and reduces the falling damage by an amount equal to 1/2 what he rolled. If he takes no damage from the fall, he does not land prone.

Other features common to hills and mountains are:

Rocky ground or debris (difficult terrain)

Large rocks and boulders (cover, depending upon size and character positioning; climbable)

Trees (cover; climbable)

Brush or bushes (difficult terrain; lightly obscured)

Further advanced features you can explore when it comes to hills and mountains, are:

Caves and barrows

Snow drifts and avalanches

Rockslides and falling boulders

Dangerous high altitudes

Erupting volcanoes

(quick note: I originally posted this in the general discussion forum, but I am thinking it is actually a better fit in the DM section)