Speaking of falling …
I was reminded of some related house rules that we have used for a couple of our D&D 5E games.

Applying CONDITION: PRONE to flying creatures

If a flying creature is made prone as an effect, treat it as ‘off balance’ and apply advantage to attacks made against it and disadvantage with attacks made by it until it uses a half movement on it’s turn to ‘re-balance’. (in this case, ignoring the usual ‘ranged attacks against a prone creature are at disadvantage’ as the creature is in mid air).

Why?

We’ve applied this in D&D, various super hero RPGs, and other cases with mechanics for being prone in combat. It seemed a reasonable ruling. In most games, a martial throw or other effect to render an opponent prone is pretty situational to begin with. If we allow for a Medium sized Monk being able to throw a Huge Dragon, then why not allow them to temporarily impose a condition on a flying creature.

Determining DC for a Leap

Move 10+ feet, and jump a number of feet up to your Strength Score against a DC 10 (Strength – Athletics).
For every foot past your Strength Score, increase the DC by +1. Treat the proficiency roll as the distance successfully jumped if total distance is needed.
When making a standing long jump, you can jump a number of feet equal to half your Strength Score against a DC 10, add +2 to the DC for each foot beyond that.

e.g. Slick the Rogue needs to leap 15 feet between roof tops. With a Strength of 10, she needs to make a DC 15 roll and is proficient (+3) in Athletics so needs to roll at least a 12 to make it. Biff the Fighter has a strength of 15 so is rolling against a DC 10 with his Athletics (+3 for Strength and +3 for Proficient) so needs a 9 or better. Flash the Sorcerer isn’t so lucky with a Strength of 9 and no proficiency will be rolling against a DC 16 at a -1 to the roll for such making Strength his dump stat.

Why?

First, if there is no consequence to failing a Leap check, then we bog things down with rolling? If an average roll of 10 will clear the distance and there is nothing interesting happening that prevents them form taking their time, will a failed roll make this interesting? If not, why roll?

Second, it does really reward a high Athletics roll and doubles down on the Strength roll. It makes for a pretty pulpy feel of amazing leaps of potentially 20+ feet in a single leap (which a Strength 20 character could already do with Rules as Written). An average Strength Rogue with Expertise in Athletics has a decent chance of matching that fighter for the same leap.

As always, your rules at your table. If these spark off something useful at your table, then try them out and see how they work for you!

Published by B.A. Tosczak