I have never really dealt with burrowing before, and I have some questions for how it works for experienced players who might know the 2024 rules better. I am planning a Tarrasque battle and need to understand burrowing mechanics better.
1. Does “burrowing” leave behind a tunnel that others could follow or enter?
2. Can two burrowers run into each other and if so are they able to attack…. and what would that look like?
3. Can players on the surface see where a creature is burrowing from the surface?
4. How would you represent this on a traditional battle map? (I have no idea)
5. Can you burrow while “fly” is active using concentration?
6. Can you cast spells that have a somatic component while burrowing even though you are burrowing?
7. How does breathing, oxygen work with burrowers?
For Reference:
Burrow Speed
A creature that has a Burrow Speed can use that speed to move through sand, earth, mud, or ice. The creature can’t than meburrow through solid rock unless the creature has a trait that allows it to do so. See also“Speed.”
Speed
A creature has a Speed, which is the distance in feet the creature can cover when it moves on its turn. See also “Climbing,” “Crawling,” “Flying,” “Jumping,” “Swimming” and chapter 1 (“Combat”).
Special Speeds. Some creatures have special speeds, such as a Burrow Speed, Climb Speed, Fly Speed, or Swim Speed, each of which is defined in this glossary. If you have more than one speed, choose which one to use when you move; you can switch between the speeds during your move. Whenever you switch, subtract the distance already moved from the new speed. The result determines how much farther you can move. If the result is 0 or less, you can’t use the new speed during the current move. For example, if you have a Speed of 30 and a Fly Speed of 40, you could fly 10 feet, walk 10 feet, and leap into the air to fly 20 feet more.
Changes to Your Speeds. If an effect increases or decreases your Speed for a time, any special speed you have increases or decreases by an equal amount for the same duration. For example, if your Speed is reduced to 0 and you have a Climb Speed, your Climb Speed is also reduced to 0. Similarly, if your Speed is halved and you have a Fly Speed, your Fly Speed is also halved.
1. Does “burrowing” leave behind a tunnel that others could follow or enter?
Burrowing does not automatically leave behind a tunnel. For an example, we can look at the Purple Worm stat block. It has the Tunneler feature, which specifically states that it leaves behind a 10ft diameter tunnel. There isn't anything about that in the Tarrasque stat block, nor in the description of what a Burrow speed does, so we can assume they do not leave tunnels behind them. Basically where they dug collapses behind them (which would make a good amount of sense).
2. Can two burrowers run into each other and if so are they able to attack…. and what would that look like?
Sure, they could run into each other. For creatures burrowing there isn't really any difference to that compared to two creatures swimming. As long as they have a clear path for their attacks (i.e. they literally ran into each other and are within melee distance) then they can attack.
3. Can players on the surface see where a creature is burrowing from the surface?
Nothing in the rules suggests this, so it is really up to the DM. If the creature is very close to the surface, it would seem likely there would be a disruption. If they are many tens of feet below, there might be no disruption. This is going to be entirely up to the DM, there are no rules about this. This is all with normal senses. If they have tremorsense or some ability that allows them to sense creatures through solid materials, then they could potentially track the creature, depending on what sense they are using.
4. How would you represent this on a traditional battle map? (I have no idea)
In general if something is burrowing and the players have no real way to engage with it underground, I simply remove the mini from the map. If they can sense where it is but not see it (like from tremorsense or if it is leaving a wake on the top of the ground) then I might use a sticker or a condition ring to show where it is. For two monsters fighting underground if they were both burrowing, they pretty much have to be in melee so minis aren't really necessary. This is all going to be very situation dependent.
5. Can you burrow while “fly” is active using concentration?
If you have a burrow speed, then yes. Fly just gives you a fly speed that can be used. It doesn't force you into the air or anything like that. You get to choose what speed you are using depending on the medium you are traveling through.
6. Can you cast spells that have a somatic component while burrowing even though you are burrowing?
I can't see anything in the rules that suggests you cannot use somatic components while burrowing. While burrowing you are not restrained or anything. While you aren't leaving a tunnel, it would make sense you would be able to carve out enough space to move your hands.
7. How does breathing, oxygen work with burrowers?
As far as I can see there are not specific rules with burrowers considering suffocating. It would make sense that a creature that can burrow can also breathe underground at least adequately. It might make sense to apply the suffocation rules where you can hold your breathe for one minute for each Con modifier (+5 to Con, 5 minutes, at least I think that was the rule?). This would be homebrew though, as nothing in the rules that I can find state a burrowing creature needs to hold its breath. I'm happy to be corrected in this though from people who know the rules better.
To be fair, most of my information comes form 2014 as I haven't bought into 2024 yet.
1. Does “burrowing” leave behind a tunnel that others could follow or enter?
Burrowing does not automatically leave behind a tunnel. For an example, we can look at the Purple Worm stat block. It has the Tunneler feature, which specifically states that it leaves behind a 10ft diameter tunnel. There isn't anything about that in the Tarrasque stat block, nor in the description of what a Burrow speed does, so we can assume they do not leave tunnels behind them. Basically where they dug collapses behind them (which would make a good amount of sense).
2. Can two burrowers run into each other and if so are they able to attack…. and what would that look like?
Sure, they could run into each other. For creatures burrowing there isn't really any difference to that compared to two creatures swimming. As long as they have a clear path for their attacks (i.e. they literally ran into each other and are within melee distance) then they can attack.
3. Can players on the surface see where a creature is burrowing from the surface?
Nothing in the rules suggests this, so it is really up to the DM. If the creature is very close to the surface, it would seem likely there would be a disruption. If they are many tens of feet below, there might be no disruption. This is going to be entirely up to the DM, there are no rules about this. This is all with normal senses. If they have tremorsense or some ability that allows them to sense creatures through solid materials, then they could potentially track the creature, depending on what sense they are using.
4. How would you represent this on a traditional battle map? (I have no idea)
In general if something is burrowing and the players have no real way to engage with it underground, I simply remove the mini from the map. If they can sense where it is but not see it (like from tremorsense or if it is leaving a wake on the top of the ground) then I might use a sticker or a condition ring to show where it is. For two monsters fighting underground if they were both burrowing, they pretty much have to be in melee so minis aren't really necessary. This is all going to be very situation dependent.
5. Can you burrow while “fly” is active using concentration?
If you have a burrow speed, then yes. Fly just gives you a fly speed that can be used. It doesn't force you into the air or anything like that. You get to choose what speed you are using depending on the medium you are traveling through.
6. Can you cast spells that have a somatic component while burrowing even though you are burrowing?
I can't see anything in the rules that suggests you cannot use somatic components while burrowing. While burrowing you are not restrained or anything. While you aren't leaving a tunnel, it would make sense you would be able to carve out enough space to move your hands.
7. How does breathing, oxygen work with burrowers?
As far as I can see there are not specific rules with burrowers considering suffocating. It would make sense that a creature that can burrow can also breathe underground at least adequately. It might make sense to apply the suffocation rules where you can hold your breathe for one minute for each Con modifier (+5 to Con, 5 minutes, at least I think that was the rule?). This would be homebrew though, as nothing in the rules that I can find state a burrowing creature needs to hold its breath. I'm happy to be corrected in this though from people who know the rules better.
To be fair, most of my information comes form 2014 as I haven't bought into 2024 yet.
This all makes sense to me. Thanks.
It really simplifies it if there is no tunnel to deal with. I was most worried about that because it could drastically change the battleground really quickly and I might have to prepare ahead for that somehow.
The Tarrasque is so big I am wondering if a player could try to engage it underground somehow in a way that it cannot directly do things like swing its tail or what have you. For instance I imagine a Moon Druid burrowing down as a creature and then casting spells while wild shaped, but the Tarrasque cannot properly see due to being underground.
A Moon Druid is going to be a force to be reckoned with if they figure it out.
The Tarrasque is so big I am wondering if a player could try to engage it underground somehow in a way that it cannot directly do things like swing its tail or what have you. For instance I imagine a Moon Druid burrowing down as a creature and then casting spells while wild shaped, but the Tarrasque cannot properly see due to being underground.
A Moon Druid is going to be a force to be reckoned with if they figure it out.
With blindsight and burrow a Tarrasque should have no difficulty counter-attacking a burrowing druid.
All of its attacks and actions should function just fine while burrowing, except maybe the bellow which wouldn't be able to pass through the total cover of solid ground. The range of each attack would be effectively reduced to only adjacent enemies while burrowing since otherwise there is total cover there too.
The Tarrasque is so big I am wondering if a player could try to engage it underground somehow in a way that it cannot directly do things like swing its tail or what have you. For instance I imagine a Moon Druid burrowing down as a creature and then casting spells while wild shaped, but the Tarrasque cannot properly see due to being underground.
A Moon Druid is going to be a force to be reckoned with if they figure it out.
With blindsight and burrow a Tarrasque should have no difficulty counter-attacking a burrowing druid.
All of its attacks and actions should function just fine while burrowing, except maybe the bellow which wouldn't be able to pass through the total cover of solid ground. The range of each attack would be effectively reduced to only adjacent enemies while burrowing since otherwise there is total cover there too.
I hadn’t even thought of blindsight…. wow.
Does that work through ground though? I’ve never thought of it working through walls even. 🤯
I’m trying to visualize this. Its really complicated with all the different rules overlapping at once.
3. When you use Burrow Speed to move through sand, earth, mud, or ice, i'd say it's visible if you have the ability to leave a tunnel. Otherwise it's not necessarily the case but as DM i can possibly let you perceive signs of it if the surface was disturbed for example.
There's a Sage Advice on the subject;
Can a creature that burrows grapple a target and drag them into the ground by burrowing?
No. A burrowing creature can drag another creature with them only if they have the ability to leave a tunnel. For example, a Purple Worm has the Tunneler trait, so it can drag a Grappled creature into a tunnel it creates when burrowing. Conversely, an Earth Elemental can’t drag a creature into the ground with it.
The Tarrasque is so big I am wondering if a player could try to engage it underground somehow in a way that it cannot directly do things like swing its tail or what have you. For instance I imagine a Moon Druid burrowing down as a creature and then casting spells while wild shaped, but the Tarrasque cannot properly see due to being underground.
A Moon Druid is going to be a force to be reckoned with if they figure it out.
With blindsight and burrow a Tarrasque should have no difficulty counter-attacking a burrowing druid.
All of its attacks and actions should function just fine while burrowing, except maybe the bellow which wouldn't be able to pass through the total cover of solid ground. The range of each attack would be effectively reduced to only adjacent enemies while burrowing since otherwise there is total cover there too.
I hadn’t even thought of blindsight…. wow.
Does that work through ground though? I’ve never thought of it working through walls even. 🤯
I’m trying to visualize this. Its really complicated with all the different rules overlapping at once.
It definitely works better than not having any special vision. At very least there must exist a kind of adjacency where there is no ground between two burrowing creatures. If you can see in the underground darkness (as with blind or true-sight) then you could attack an adjacent enemy without disadvantage (and with advantage if they can't see in the dark).
If a creature attacked a tarrasque and then burrowed away, their rough location would still be known to the tarrasque. It would be able to chase down and attack back with little difficulty. With its legendary action movement options it can burrow faster underground than almost anything else.
Here's a random question (I can make a new thread if that would be easier):
Does the created tunnel from the Tunneler feature only apply when the creature has gone through solid rock?
The way the rules read:
Burrow Speed: A creature that has a Burrow Speed can use that speed to move through sand, earth, mud, or ice. The creature can’t burrow through solid rock unless the creature has a trait that allows it to do so. See also “Speed.”
Tunneler. The [creature] can burrow through solid rock at half its Burrow Speed and leaves a [number]-foot-diameter tunnel in its wake.
I think it could easily be read that the tunnel making only occurs when burrowing through solid rock. The verbage from the tunneler feature seems to be self-contained. You can burrow through sand, earth, mud, or ice, and with the tunneler feature you can also burrow through solid rock, in which you leave behind a tunnel.
For me personally I think I would rule as a DM that the creature always creates a tunnel if it has the tunneler feature, but RAW... it kind of seems like the tunnel is ONLY made in solid rock (which I guess makes sense when we think about a creature moving through sand versus boring a hole through a solid material).
Here's a random question (I can make a new thread if that would be easier):
Does the created tunnel from the Tunneler feature only apply when the creature has gone through solid rock?
The answer should be in the Trait, most involved solid rock such as Ankheg and Purple Worm;
Tunneler. The worm can burrow through solid rock at half its Burrow Speed and leaves a 10-foot-diameter tunnel in its wake.
Right, my question is if the tunnel only happens when the creature tunnels through solid rock, or if it also leaves a tunnel through sand, earth, mud, and ice (if it has the tunneler feature).
It seems like many people from earlier posts suggest that if a creature has the tunneler feature, it will always leave a tunnel when burrowing through any medium (sand, earth, solid rock, etc). However the feature could be read that the creature leaves the tunnel only when it is burrowing through solid rock.
So I'm just wondering what the actual RAW is. Is the purpose of the tunneler feature to grant two separate abilities: 1) the ability to burrow through solid rock, and 2) the ability to leave behind a tunnel when it burrows through any medium, or does it grant one singular ability: 1) the ability to burrow through solid rock, in which it leaves a tunnel behind, but only in that specific medium.
Here's a random question (I can make a new thread if that would be easier):
Does the created tunnel from the Tunneler feature only apply when the creature has gone through solid rock?
The way the rules read:
Burrow Speed: A creature that has a Burrow Speed can use that speed to move through sand, earth, mud, or ice. The creature can’t burrow through solid rock unless the creature has a trait that allows it to do so. See also “Speed.”
Tunneler. The [creature] can burrow through solid rock at half its Burrow Speed and leaves a [number]-foot-diameter tunnel in its wake.
I think it could easily be read that the tunnel making only occurs when burrowing through solid rock. The verbage from the tunneler feature seems to be self-contained. You can burrow through sand, earth, mud, or ice, and with the tunneler feature you can also burrow through solid rock, in which you leave behind a tunnel.
For me personally I think I would rule as a DM that the creature always creates a tunnel if it has the tunneler feature, but RAW... it kind of seems like the tunnel is ONLY made in solid rock (which I guess makes sense when we think about a creature moving through sand versus boring a hole through a solid material).
Thoughts?
I can see reading it either way. I think it makes more logical sense that the tunnel only exists in solid rock. And the fact that it's one sentence probably means this is the correct reading.
However, personally, I prefer to read it not as an "if/then" but as an "and." It can burrow through solid rock. And whenever it burrows, it leaves a tunnel behind it. (though that reading is possibly getting into houserule territory) I just find that way more interesting. It opens the idea that the PCs could try to chase it down underground. It also means there's going to be a tunnel complex leading, well, wherever the DM wants it to go, if the characters are willing to follow along.
I also think it's as Plaguescarred explains, and there is at least one other example where the tunnel is created only for the specific mentioned terrains.
Aurumvorax and Aurumvorax Den Leader, from Journeys through the Radiant Citadel: "The aurumvorax can burrow through solid rock and metal at half its burrowing speed and leaves a 5-foot-diameter tunnel in its wake."
How i read the sentence it only apply to the terrain mentioned, so only solid rock.
I don't recall any monster with a Tunneler. trait letting it burrow through ice or earth and leave a tunnel in its wake.
I'd say that the SAC answer you posted above shows quite clearly that the intention at least is that anyone with the Tunneler trait always leaves a tunnel behind them.
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FOR YOUR BEST D&D MIND:
I have never really dealt with burrowing before, and I have some questions for how it works for experienced players who might know the 2024 rules better. I am planning a Tarrasque battle and need to understand burrowing mechanics better.
1. Does “burrowing” leave behind a tunnel that others could follow or enter?
2. Can two burrowers run into each other and if so are they able to attack…. and what would that look like?
3. Can players on the surface see where a creature is burrowing from the surface?
4. How would you represent this on a traditional battle map? (I have no idea)
5. Can you burrow while “fly” is active using concentration?
6. Can you cast spells that have a somatic component while burrowing even though you are burrowing?
7. How does breathing, oxygen work with burrowers?
For Reference:
Burrow Speed
A creature that has a Burrow Speed can use that speed to move through sand, earth, mud, or ice. The creature can’t than meburrow through solid rock unless the creature has a trait that allows it to do so. See also“Speed.”
Speed
A creature has a Speed, which is the distance in feet the creature can cover when it moves on its turn. See also “Climbing,” “Crawling,” “Flying,” “Jumping,” “Swimming” and chapter 1 (“Combat”).
Special Speeds. Some creatures have special speeds, such as a Burrow Speed, Climb Speed, Fly Speed, or Swim Speed, each of which is defined in this glossary. If you have more than one speed, choose which one to use when you move; you can switch between the speeds during your move. Whenever you switch, subtract the distance already moved from the new speed. The result determines how much farther you can move. If the result is 0 or less, you can’t use the new speed during the current move. For example, if you have a Speed of 30 and a Fly Speed of 40, you could fly 10 feet, walk 10 feet, and leap into the air to fly 20 feet more.
Changes to Your Speeds. If an effect increases or decreases your Speed for a time, any special speed you have increases or decreases by an equal amount for the same duration. For example, if your Speed is reduced to 0 and you have a Climb Speed, your Climb Speed is also reduced to 0. Similarly, if your Speed is halved and you have a Fly Speed, your Fly Speed is also halved.
1. Does “burrowing” leave behind a tunnel that others could follow or enter?
Burrowing does not automatically leave behind a tunnel. For an example, we can look at the Purple Worm stat block. It has the Tunneler feature, which specifically states that it leaves behind a 10ft diameter tunnel. There isn't anything about that in the Tarrasque stat block, nor in the description of what a Burrow speed does, so we can assume they do not leave tunnels behind them. Basically where they dug collapses behind them (which would make a good amount of sense).
2. Can two burrowers run into each other and if so are they able to attack…. and what would that look like?
Sure, they could run into each other. For creatures burrowing there isn't really any difference to that compared to two creatures swimming. As long as they have a clear path for their attacks (i.e. they literally ran into each other and are within melee distance) then they can attack.
3. Can players on the surface see where a creature is burrowing from the surface?
Nothing in the rules suggests this, so it is really up to the DM. If the creature is very close to the surface, it would seem likely there would be a disruption. If they are many tens of feet below, there might be no disruption. This is going to be entirely up to the DM, there are no rules about this. This is all with normal senses. If they have tremorsense or some ability that allows them to sense creatures through solid materials, then they could potentially track the creature, depending on what sense they are using.
4. How would you represent this on a traditional battle map? (I have no idea)
In general if something is burrowing and the players have no real way to engage with it underground, I simply remove the mini from the map. If they can sense where it is but not see it (like from tremorsense or if it is leaving a wake on the top of the ground) then I might use a sticker or a condition ring to show where it is. For two monsters fighting underground if they were both burrowing, they pretty much have to be in melee so minis aren't really necessary. This is all going to be very situation dependent.
5. Can you burrow while “fly” is active using concentration?
If you have a burrow speed, then yes. Fly just gives you a fly speed that can be used. It doesn't force you into the air or anything like that. You get to choose what speed you are using depending on the medium you are traveling through.
6. Can you cast spells that have a somatic component while burrowing even though you are burrowing?
I can't see anything in the rules that suggests you cannot use somatic components while burrowing. While burrowing you are not restrained or anything. While you aren't leaving a tunnel, it would make sense you would be able to carve out enough space to move your hands.
7. How does breathing, oxygen work with burrowers?
As far as I can see there are not specific rules with burrowers considering suffocating. It would make sense that a creature that can burrow can also breathe underground at least adequately. It might make sense to apply the suffocation rules where you can hold your breathe for one minute for each Con modifier (+5 to Con, 5 minutes, at least I think that was the rule?). This would be homebrew though, as nothing in the rules that I can find state a burrowing creature needs to hold its breath. I'm happy to be corrected in this though from people who know the rules better.
To be fair, most of my information comes form 2014 as I haven't bought into 2024 yet.
This all makes sense to me. Thanks.
It really simplifies it if there is no tunnel to deal with. I was most worried about that because it could drastically change the battleground really quickly and I might have to prepare ahead for that somehow.
The Tarrasque is so big I am wondering if a player could try to engage it underground somehow in a way that it cannot directly do things like swing its tail or what have you. For instance I imagine a Moon Druid burrowing down as a creature and then casting spells while wild shaped, but the Tarrasque cannot properly see due to being underground.
A Moon Druid is going to be a force to be reckoned with if they figure it out.
With blindsight and burrow a Tarrasque should have no difficulty counter-attacking a burrowing druid.
All of its attacks and actions should function just fine while burrowing, except maybe the bellow which wouldn't be able to pass through the total cover of solid ground. The range of each attack would be effectively reduced to only adjacent enemies while burrowing since otherwise there is total cover there too.
I hadn’t even thought of blindsight…. wow.
Does that work through ground though? I’ve never thought of it working through walls even. 🤯
I’m trying to visualize this. Its really complicated with all the different rules overlapping at once.
There are some interesting related threads, in case they are useful for anyone coming here:
- Elemental Grappling
- Burrowing Monsters beneath the Sand - Three-Quarters Cover or Total Cover Plausible?
- What if a creature with a burrowing speed grapples a player, drags them underground, then leaves them there?
3. When you use Burrow Speed to move through sand, earth, mud, or ice, i'd say it's visible if you have the ability to leave a tunnel. Otherwise it's not necessarily the case but as DM i can possibly let you perceive signs of it if the surface was disturbed for example.
There's a Sage Advice on the subject;
It definitely works better than not having any special vision. At very least there must exist a kind of adjacency where there is no ground between two burrowing creatures. If you can see in the underground darkness (as with blind or true-sight) then you could attack an adjacent enemy without disadvantage (and with advantage if they can't see in the dark).
If a creature attacked a tarrasque and then burrowed away, their rough location would still be known to the tarrasque. It would be able to chase down and attack back with little difficulty. With its legendary action movement options it can burrow faster underground than almost anything else.
Here's a random question (I can make a new thread if that would be easier):
Does the created tunnel from the Tunneler feature only apply when the creature has gone through solid rock?
The way the rules read:
I think it could easily be read that the tunnel making only occurs when burrowing through solid rock. The verbage from the tunneler feature seems to be self-contained. You can burrow through sand, earth, mud, or ice, and with the tunneler feature you can also burrow through solid rock, in which you leave behind a tunnel.
For me personally I think I would rule as a DM that the creature always creates a tunnel if it has the tunneler feature, but RAW... it kind of seems like the tunnel is ONLY made in solid rock (which I guess makes sense when we think about a creature moving through sand versus boring a hole through a solid material).
Thoughts?
The answer should be in the Trait, most involved solid rock such as Ankheg and Purple Worm;
Right, my question is if the tunnel only happens when the creature tunnels through solid rock, or if it also leaves a tunnel through sand, earth, mud, and ice (if it has the tunneler feature).
It seems like many people from earlier posts suggest that if a creature has the tunneler feature, it will always leave a tunnel when burrowing through any medium (sand, earth, solid rock, etc). However the feature could be read that the creature leaves the tunnel only when it is burrowing through solid rock.
So I'm just wondering what the actual RAW is. Is the purpose of the tunneler feature to grant two separate abilities: 1) the ability to burrow through solid rock, and 2) the ability to leave behind a tunnel when it burrows through any medium, or does it grant one singular ability: 1) the ability to burrow through solid rock, in which it leaves a tunnel behind, but only in that specific medium.
How i read the sentence it only apply to the terrain mentioned, so only solid rock.
I don't recall any monster with a Tunneler. trait letting it burrow through ice or earth and leave a tunnel in its wake.
I can see reading it either way. I think it makes more logical sense that the tunnel only exists in solid rock. And the fact that it's one sentence probably means this is the correct reading.
However, personally, I prefer to read it not as an "if/then" but as an "and." It can burrow through solid rock. And whenever it burrows, it leaves a tunnel behind it. (though that reading is possibly getting into houserule territory) I just find that way more interesting. It opens the idea that the PCs could try to chase it down underground. It also means there's going to be a tunnel complex leading, well, wherever the DM wants it to go, if the characters are willing to follow along.
It's a single sentence for what it does and what it leaves.
To me it'd have more ground for all burrowing terrain to leave a tunnel if it had a break in sentence. For example;
I also think it's as Plaguescarred explains, and there is at least one other example where the tunnel is created only for the specific mentioned terrains.
Aurumvorax and Aurumvorax Den Leader, from Journeys through the Radiant Citadel: "The aurumvorax can burrow through solid rock and metal at half its burrowing speed and leaves a 5-foot-diameter tunnel in its wake."
I'd say that the SAC answer you posted above shows quite clearly that the intention at least is that anyone with the Tunneler trait always leaves a tunnel behind them.