The process of determining harm resulting from a vertical descent in the fifth edition of a popular tabletop role-playing game involves a simple calculation based on the distance fallen. A creature takes 1d6 bludgeoning damage for every 10 feet it falls, to a maximum of 20d6. For example, a character plummeting 30 feet would sustain 3d6 bludgeoning damage.
Accurately applying this damage rule is important for maintaining balance within the game’s mechanics. It ensures that environmental hazards pose a credible threat without being disproportionately lethal, contributing to strategic decision-making and realistic consequences within the game world. The rule’s consistent application throughout campaigns allows players to anticipate and mitigate risks associated with heights and precarious locations.