DnD 5e Fall Damage Explained
Have you ever wondered how falling damages work in Dungeons & Dragons (D&D) 5e?
D&D 5e is a tabletop RPG game played by millions of people around the world. It is an ever-evolving game that builds on many imageries and tales to create fantastic adventures and stories for the players.
In D&D 5e, falls create dramatic scenarios and can result in gruesome injuries if not handled accurately during the game play. But, understanding how fall damages are calculated and when your character may take damage can be complicated. In this article we will explain how fall damage works in D&D 5e, so that you can play with confidence knowing what might happen if your character takes a plunge!
What is DnD 5e Fall Damage?
Fall damage is the amount of damage a character takes when they fall from a height. In D&D 5e, falling damage is calculated using the following formula:

1d6 per 10 feet fallen, to a maximum of 20d6.
This means that for every 10 feet your character falls, they take 1d6 points of damage. The maximum amount of damage that can be taken from a fall is 20d6. This means that if your character falls more than 200 feet, they will still only take 20d6 points of damage.
In addition to the damage taken from the fall, characters may also suffer other effects such as broken bones or internal injuries. These effects are determined by the Dungeon Master (DM) and can vary depending on the situation. For example, a character who falls from a great height may suffer more severe injuries than one who falls from a shorter distance.
It is important to note that some creatures have special abilities that can reduce or even negate fall damage. For example, a flying creature may be able to slow its descent and take less damage from the fall.
Finally, it is important to remember that falling damage is not always lethal. Depending on the character’s current hit points, they may be able to survive a fall with only minor injuries.
Calculating Falling Damage in 5e
Now that you understand the basics of fall damage in D&D 5e, let’s take a look at how to calculate it.
The first step is to determine the height from which your character is falling. This can be done by measuring the distance between the starting point and the landing point. Once you have this number, divide it by 10 to get the total number of dice that will be rolled.
For example, if your character is falling from a height of 50 feet, you would divide 50 by 10 to get 5. This means that your character will take 5d6 points of damage from the fall.
The next step is to roll the dice and add up the total. In this example, you would roll 5d6 and add up the total to get the amount of damage taken from the fall.
Finally, you must determine if any special effects or abilities apply to reduce or negate the damage taken. For example, a flying creature may be able to slow its descent and take less damage from the fall.
How Far Can You Fall Without Taking Damage?
In D&D 5e, characters can fall up to 20 feet without taking any damage. This means that if your character falls from a height of 20 feet or less, they will not take any damage from the fall.
However, it is important to remember that even if your character does not take any damage from the fall, they may still suffer other effects such as broken bones or internal injuries. These effects are determined by the Dungeon Master (DM) and can vary depending on the situation.
Depending on the surface you land on, how quickly you decelerate and other factors, it is possible to fall without taking damage. Generally speaking however, falls of less than 10 feet onto a dry surface are not likely to cause any serious damage if proper technique is used. Falls that exceed 10 feet can easily lead to broken bones and even death in extreme cases. Always use caution when falling from greater heights and attempt to reduce your speed as much as possible by using release movements or landing in an area with adequate padding.
How fast do you fall?
The speed at which a character falls depends on the height from which they are falling. Generally speaking, a character will fall at a rate of 32 feet per second for every second that they are in freefall. This means that if your character is falling from a height of 100 feet, they will reach the ground in approximately 3 seconds.
Reducing or Negating Falling Damage
There are several ways to reduce or negate falling damage in D&D 5e. The most common way is by using the Feather Fall spell, which allows a character to fall from any height without taking damage.
Another way to reduce falling damage is by using a slow descent technique such as tucking and rolling. This technique can help to reduce the speed at which you fall and thus reduce the amount of damage taken.
Finally, some creatures may have special abilities or features that allow them to reduce or negate falling damage. For example, a flying creature may be able to slow its descent and take less damage from the fall.
The best way to reduce or negate falling damage is to use a combination of the techniques mentioned above. By using Feather Fall, slow descent techniques and any special abilities or features available, you can greatly reduce the amount of damage taken from a fall.
Additional Options for Fall Damage in 5e
In addition to the options mentioned above, there are several other ways to reduce or negate fall damage in D&D 5e.
One option is to use a magical item such as a Ring of Feather Falling. This item grants the wearer the ability to fall from any height without taking damage. It also allows them to slow their descent, making it easier to land safely.
Another option is to use a spell such as Levitate. This spell allows a character to float slowly down from any height, greatly reducing the amount of damage taken from the fall.
In the Player Handbook for 5e, different options are available to handle fall damage. One of the most common rules is to use 1d6 per 10 feet of falling, a maximum of 20d6. Additionally, some Dungeon Masters choose to use a flat damage value instead of calculating by distance. Other strategies may be employed depending on the situation, such as using Strength or Dexterity saves instead of fall damage, or having magical flights prevent falls altogether. Ultimately, fall damage should be tailored to the individual gaming group to make sure everyone is having fun and staying safe.
What Happens When You Fall in Water in DnD?
Falling into water is generally much safer than falling onto a dry surface. The water will absorb some of the impact, reducing the amount of damage taken from the fall. However, it is still possible to take damage from falls into water if the height is great enough.

In D&D 5e, falling into water typically results in no damage if the character is falling from 10 feet or less . If the character is falling from a greater height, they will take 1d6 bludgeoning damage for every 10 feet of the fall, with a maximum of 20d6.