Okay, so I did not find the answer anywhere I looked. Maybe I missed it, are hills considered difficult terrain? For example if you have a hill that is at a 40 degree angle or higher would this be considered difficult terrain?
I don't think there is a RAW answer to this. You're kind of left to your own devices.
Personally:
For hex-crawling or other long journey scales, even relatively small inclines would count as difficult terrain. It's surprising how quickly going up anything but the gentlest of slopes will sap your energy compared to a comparatively flat terrain.
For in-combat, I'd be more lenient, but again, I'd put them as difficult terrain. The incline would have to be steeper to qualify, but it would still be able to be difficult terrain for largely the same reasons.
However, it's up to you. Your call as DM.
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As linklite said, however, think about a 40 degree slope - you are nearly half way to vertical (45 degree) so that makes it really a climbing check rather than difficult terrain. Generally I would say that anything over a 15-20 degree slope is definitely difficult terrain. Highways and roads are almost never over 25-30 degree slopes and train tracks are almost never over 10 degree slopes. Anything over 45 degrees should definitely be a climbing check not difficult terrain. Personally anything over 30 degrees is with 30-45 degrees done at advantage on the climbing check.
For example, the characters are at an elevation of 0 ft. The monster is at an elevation of 15 ft higher and 20 feet away. Would you still do a climbing check or just count it as difficult terrain for the players movement? The hill is just a grassy hill.
As linklite said, however, think about a 40 degree slope - you are nearly half way to vertical (45 degree) so that makes it really a climbing check rather than difficult terrain. Generally I would say that anything over a 15-20 degree slope is definitely difficult terrain. Highways and roads are almost never over 25-30 degree slopes and train tracks are almost never over 10 degree slopes. Anything over 45 degrees should definitely be a climbing check not difficult terrain. Personally anything over 30 degrees is with 30-45 degrees done at advantage on the climbing check.
I think your estimation of slopes is rather understated. Highways and streets almost never have a slope more than 6% or 7% and train tracks are almost never over 4%. Lombard Street in San Francisco (the "crookedest street") has an average incline of 27%, which is effectively reduced by the turnbacks, but despite this, the roadway is still extremely steep. Staircases usually have a lower slope than 40%, and even with the obvious benefit of having stair steps to facilitate climbing, I'd still make it difficult terrain (i.e. half speed) to go up them. I'd say anything much over a 10% smooth slope would probably reduce someone's speed in half (so difficult terrain).
For example, the characters are at an elevation of 0 ft. The monster is at an elevation of 15 ft higher and 20 feet away. Would you still do a climbing check or just count it as difficult terrain for the players movement? The hill is just a grassy hill.
I would probably require a very easy (DC 5) Athletics (Strength) check to climb up a 40% slope, with failure just meaning that the character slips and makes very little or no progress instead of half movement (or full if they have a separate climbing speed). Lack of a free hand to help scramble up might make this significantly more difficult or impossible and would probably involve someone going prone if they fail.
As others said - not sure there is a RAW rule for this because the "definition" of what a "hill" is varies. A hill can be a slight incline/decline or it can be a pretty steep incline/decline. So depending on the incline of said hill, I personally as a DM would make the call based on that.
As others have said, RAW doesn't specify and is pretty generous (many real world terrain types are far worse than double flat ground), but the simple way of doing this is to just say 'every foot of vertical elevation costs X feet of speed'. Since climbing a vertical surface is only x2, X should probably be 1.
For example, the characters are at an elevation of 0 ft. The monster is at an elevation of 15 ft higher and 20 feet away. Would you still do a climbing check or just count it as difficult terrain for the players movement? The hill is just a grassy hill.
The pc’s are basically scrambling up that hill with hands and feet - climbing check with advantage and the foe at the top gets a free attack - basically just like using a scaling ladder on a castle wall.
Good to hear Benjamin! Crayon, yes I gave lots of extra slope mostly because I wasn’t looking up the details but there are places like wolf creek pass in Colorado and route 40 going east after black Mtn near Asheville NC that put a whole new meanng to the term steep paved road. Some places should have switchbacks not just open S curves.
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Okay, so I did not find the answer anywhere I looked. Maybe I missed it, are hills considered difficult terrain? For example if you have a hill that is at a 40 degree angle or higher would this be considered difficult terrain?
I don't think there is a RAW answer to this. You're kind of left to your own devices.
Personally:
For hex-crawling or other long journey scales, even relatively small inclines would count as difficult terrain. It's surprising how quickly going up anything but the gentlest of slopes will sap your energy compared to a comparatively flat terrain.
For in-combat, I'd be more lenient, but again, I'd put them as difficult terrain. The incline would have to be steeper to qualify, but it would still be able to be difficult terrain for largely the same reasons.
However, it's up to you. Your call as DM.
If you're not willing or able to to discuss in good faith, then don't be surprised if I don't respond, there are better things in life for me to do than humour you. This signature is that response.
As linklite said, however, think about a 40 degree slope - you are nearly half way to vertical (45 degree) so that makes it really a climbing check rather than difficult terrain. Generally I would say that anything over a 15-20 degree slope is definitely difficult terrain. Highways and roads are almost never over 25-30 degree slopes and train tracks are almost never over 10 degree slopes. Anything over 45 degrees should definitely be a climbing check not difficult terrain. Personally anything over 30 degrees is with 30-45 degrees done at advantage on the climbing check.
Wisea$$ DM and Player since 1979.
For example, the characters are at an elevation of 0 ft. The monster is at an elevation of 15 ft higher and 20 feet away. Would you still do a climbing check or just count it as difficult terrain for the players movement? The hill is just a grassy hill.
I think your estimation of slopes is rather understated. Highways and streets almost never have a slope more than 6% or 7% and train tracks are almost never over 4%. Lombard Street in San Francisco (the "crookedest street") has an average incline of 27%, which is effectively reduced by the turnbacks, but despite this, the roadway is still extremely steep. Staircases usually have a lower slope than 40%, and even with the obvious benefit of having stair steps to facilitate climbing, I'd still make it difficult terrain (i.e. half speed) to go up them. I'd say anything much over a 10% smooth slope would probably reduce someone's speed in half (so difficult terrain).
I would probably require a very easy (DC 5) Athletics (Strength) check to climb up a 40% slope, with failure just meaning that the character slips and makes very little or no progress instead of half movement (or full if they have a separate climbing speed). Lack of a free hand to help scramble up might make this significantly more difficult or impossible and would probably involve someone going prone if they fail.
As others said - not sure there is a RAW rule for this because the "definition" of what a "hill" is varies. A hill can be a slight incline/decline or it can be a pretty steep incline/decline. So depending on the incline of said hill, I personally as a DM would make the call based on that.
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As others have said, RAW doesn't specify and is pretty generous (many real world terrain types are far worse than double flat ground), but the simple way of doing this is to just say 'every foot of vertical elevation costs X feet of speed'. Since climbing a vertical surface is only x2, X should probably be 1.
Ask your DM.
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Clifford's Tower in York has a nice 45-ish degree slope around it. https://www.english-heritage.org.uk/siteassets/home/visit/places-to-visit/01.-cost-of-living-roundels/north/cliffords-col-carousel.png
You could easily guess whether you can walk up it as easily and quickly as across level ground.
The pc’s are basically scrambling up that hill with hands and feet - climbing check with advantage and the foe at the top gets a free attack - basically just like using a scaling ladder on a castle wall.
Wisea$$ DM and Player since 1979.
Yeah the old Mott and Bailey style castle - attackers can’t fight while climbing cause the hill is too steep.
Wisea$$ DM and Player since 1979.
Thanks for all of the input! I now know what to do with this going forward.
Good to hear Benjamin!
Crayon, yes I gave lots of extra slope mostly because I wasn’t looking up the details but there are places like wolf creek pass in Colorado and route 40 going east after black Mtn near Asheville NC that put a whole new meanng to the term steep paved road. Some places should have switchbacks not just open S curves.
Wisea$$ DM and Player since 1979.