Dungeons Dragons 5E: Calculating Damage from Throwing a Creature onto Another

In Dungeons Dragons 5th Edition (DD 5E), the scenario where a creature is thrown onto another can sometimes lead to unexpected and complex encounters. This article will provide a detailed guide on how to calculate the damage in such situations, based on available rules and DM's discretion. We will also include an example using a creative scenario involving a cloak of flying and polymorphing into a giant shark.

Understanding the Scenario

In DD 5E, the damage from a creature throwing another creature onto you involves several factors. This article will break down the process step-by-step, ensuring players and DMs have a clear understanding of how to handle such encounters.

1. Determining the Size of the Creature

The size of the creature being thrown is crucial in determining the potential damage. Larger creatures generally deal more damage due to their greater mass and momentum. This factor is especially important as it can significantly influence the final outcome of the scenario.

2. Fall Damage Rules

According to the Player's Handbook, when a creature falls, it takes damage based on the distance fallen:

1d6 bludgeoning damage for every 10 feet fallen The maximum damage is 20d6

Therefore, if a creature is thrown from a height, the fall damage is calculated first. If the fall exceeds 10 feet, additional damage is added for each subsequent 10 feet, up to a maximum of 20d6.

3. Throwing a Creature

When a creature is thrown, it should be considered as falling from that height. The damage is calculated based on the height from which the creature was thrown. For example, if the creature falls from a height of 15 feet, it would take 1d6 damage.

4. Additional Impact Damage

There may be additional damage from the impact of the falling creature landing on top of another. This damage is often calculated based on the DM's discretion and any relevant rules or abilities. The additional impact might result in another 1d6 bludgeoning damage, or more, depending on the specific situation and the DM's ruling.

5. Examples

Let's consider an example:

If a Large creature throws a Medium creature from 20 feet high onto another creature:

The Medium creature would take 2d6 bludgeoning damage for the fall. If the Medium creature lands on the other creature, the player might rule that the impact deals an additional 1d6 bludgeoning damage or more.

Therefore, the total damage could be 2d6 1d6 or more, depending on the DM's discretion and any special abilities involved.

Conclusion

Ultimately, the exact damage will depend on the DM's ruling and the specifics of the situation, including the height from which the creature is thrown and any special abilities or effects involved. Always consult with your DM for the final ruling in your game.

For example, when a player suggested using their Cloak of Flying to fly up into the air, polymorph into a giant shark, and fall on a bunch of NPCs, the DM had to make an in-game decision. We found that the falling damage and a save for half the damage was a fair resolution. This approach ensured that the encounter was both exciting and fair for all players.

Remember, the DM's role is to ensure the game remains fun and balanced for everyone. Use these guidelines as a starting point, but feel free to adapt the rules to fit the unique and sometimes unexpected scenarios your adventures might bring!