If a Gelatinous Cube takes up the entire space of a Pit Trap, what happens when a creature falls into the...
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A player character falls into a 10 foot x 10 foot concealed pit trap, which is 20 feet deep. At the bottom of this pit is a gelatinous cube, which occupies all of the bottom 10 x 10 x 10 (width x height x depth) area of the pit.
The rules for a gelatinous cube (from the Monster Manual, page 242) indicate that when a creature enters the cube's space (by falling into it in this case), it's subject to the Engulf rules and gets disadvantage on the saving throw.
What space does a character move to if they succeed on the Engulf saving throw while falling into this pit?
dnd-5e monsters traps falling
asked Apr 4 at 20:17
Mad_JoeMad_Joe
967
$endgroup$
add a comment |
$begingroup$
A player character falls into a 10 foot x 10 foot concealed pit trap, which is 20 feet deep. At the bottom of this pit is a gelatinous cube, which occupies all of the bottom 10 x 10 x 10 (width x height x depth) area of the pit.
The rules for a gelatinous cube (from the Monster Manual, page 242) indicate that when a creature enters the cube's space (by falling into it in this case), it's subject to the Engulf rules and gets disadvantage on the saving throw.
What space does a character move to if they succeed on the Engulf saving throw while falling into this pit?
dnd-5e monsters traps falling
asked Apr 4 at 20:17
Mad_JoeMad_Joe
967
$endgroup$
4
$begingroup$
I assume the question is where they end up, since they have nowhere to go but into the cube?
$endgroup$
– Mark Wells
Apr 4 at 20:21
$begingroup$
Related on What happens when you end up sharing an enemy or friend's space due to a size change?
$endgroup$
– NautArch
Apr 4 at 20:23
$begingroup$
Related (possible dupe?) on What happens when a character is shoved into other characters in tight quarters?
$endgroup$
– NautArch
Apr 4 at 20:24
$begingroup$
I think "where does the character end up" might be a more concise question, especially given that the engulf rules seem to be main concerned with where the target ends up (inside the cube or outside the cube). Thanks.
$endgroup$
– Mad_Joe
Apr 4 at 20:49
2
$begingroup$
Love your old school trap. "In Mad Joe's dungeon, Jello eats you!"
$endgroup$
– KorvinStarmast
Apr 4 at 22:30
add a comment |
$begingroup$
A player character falls into a 10 foot x 10 foot concealed pit trap, which is 20 feet deep. At the bottom of this pit is a gelatinous cube, which occupies all of the bottom 10 x 10 x 10 (width x height x depth) area of the pit.
The rules for a gelatinous cube (from the Monster Manual, page 242) indicate that when a creature enters the cube's space (by falling into it in this case), it's subject to the Engulf rules and gets disadvantage on the saving throw.
What space does a character move to if they succeed on the Engulf saving throw while falling into this pit?
dnd-5e monsters traps falling
asked Apr 4 at 20:17
Mad_JoeMad_Joe
967
$endgroup$
A player character falls into a 10 foot x 10 foot concealed pit trap, which is 20 feet deep. At the bottom of this pit is a gelatinous cube, which occupies all of the bottom 10 x 10 x 10 (width x height x depth) area of the pit.
The rules for a gelatinous cube (from the Monster Manual, page 242) indicate that when a creature enters the cube's space (by falling into it in this case), it's subject to the Engulf rules and gets disadvantage on the saving throw.
What space does a character move to if they succeed on the Engulf saving throw while falling into this pit?
dnd-5e monsters traps falling
dnd-5e monsters traps falling
asked Apr 4 at 20:17
Mad_JoeMad_Joe
967
asked Apr 4 at 20:17
Mad_JoeMad_Joe
967
edited Apr 4 at 20:50
Mad_Joe
asked Apr 4 at 20:17
Mad_JoeMad_Joe
967
asked Apr 4 at 20:17
Mad_JoeMad_Joe
967
asked Apr 4 at 20:17
Mad_JoeMad_Joe
967
967
4
$begingroup$
I assume the question is where they end up, since they have nowhere to go but into the cube?
$endgroup$
– Mark Wells
Apr 4 at 20:21
$begingroup$
Related on What happens when you end up sharing an enemy or friend's space due to a size change?
$endgroup$
– NautArch
Apr 4 at 20:23
$begingroup$
Related (possible dupe?) on What happens when a character is shoved into other characters in tight quarters?
$endgroup$
– NautArch
Apr 4 at 20:24
$begingroup$
I think "where does the character end up" might be a more concise question, especially given that the engulf rules seem to be main concerned with where the target ends up (inside the cube or outside the cube). Thanks.
$endgroup$
– Mad_Joe
Apr 4 at 20:49
2
$begingroup$
Love your old school trap. "In Mad Joe's dungeon, Jello eats you!"
$endgroup$
– KorvinStarmast
Apr 4 at 22:30
add a comment |
4
$begingroup$
I assume the question is where they end up, since they have nowhere to go but into the cube?
$endgroup$
– Mark Wells
Apr 4 at 20:21
$begingroup$
Related on What happens when you end up sharing an enemy or friend's space due to a size change?
$endgroup$
– NautArch
Apr 4 at 20:23
$begingroup$
Related (possible dupe?) on What happens when a character is shoved into other characters in tight quarters?
$endgroup$
– NautArch
Apr 4 at 20:24
$begingroup$
I think "where does the character end up" might be a more concise question, especially given that the engulf rules seem to be main concerned with where the target ends up (inside the cube or outside the cube). Thanks.
$endgroup$
– Mad_Joe
Apr 4 at 20:49
2
$begingroup$
Love your old school trap. "In Mad Joe's dungeon, Jello eats you!"
$endgroup$
– KorvinStarmast
Apr 4 at 22:30
4
4
$begingroup$
I assume the question is where they end up, since they have nowhere to go but into the cube?
$endgroup$
– Mark Wells
Apr 4 at 20:21
$begingroup$
I assume the question is where they end up, since they have nowhere to go but into the cube?
$endgroup$
– Mark Wells
Apr 4 at 20:21
$begingroup$
Related on What happens when you end up sharing an enemy or friend's space due to a size change?
$endgroup$
– NautArch
Apr 4 at 20:23
$begingroup$
Related on What happens when you end up sharing an enemy or friend's space due to a size change?
$endgroup$
– NautArch
Apr 4 at 20:23
$begingroup$
Related (possible dupe?) on What happens when a character is shoved into other characters in tight quarters?
$endgroup$
– NautArch
Apr 4 at 20:24
$begingroup$
Related (possible dupe?) on What happens when a character is shoved into other characters in tight quarters?
$endgroup$
– NautArch
Apr 4 at 20:24
$begingroup$
I think "where does the character end up" might be a more concise question, especially given that the engulf rules seem to be main concerned with where the target ends up (inside the cube or outside the cube). Thanks.
$endgroup$
– Mad_Joe
Apr 4 at 20:49
$begingroup$
I think "where does the character end up" might be a more concise question, especially given that the engulf rules seem to be main concerned with where the target ends up (inside the cube or outside the cube). Thanks.
$endgroup$
– Mad_Joe
Apr 4 at 20:49
2
2
$begingroup$
Love your old school trap. "In Mad Joe's dungeon, Jello eats you!"
$endgroup$
– KorvinStarmast
Apr 4 at 22:30
$begingroup$
Love your old school trap. "In Mad Joe's dungeon, Jello eats you!"
$endgroup$
– KorvinStarmast
Apr 4 at 22:30
add a comment |
4 Answers
4
active
oldest
votes
$begingroup$
The creature is still stuck in the cube, even on a successful save.
As the question mentions, the cube has this property:
Ooze Cube. The cube takes up its entire space. Other creatures can enter the space, but a creature that does so is subjected to the cube's Engulf and has disadvantage on the saving throw.
From the Gelatinous Cube's Engulf ability:
On a successful save, the creature can choose to be pushed 5 feet back or to the side of the cube.
Emphasis mine. The operative word being that the creature can choose to be pushed, but doesn't have to if they don't want to (unlikely) or are unable to (more likely). If there is no space 5 feet back or to the side of the cube, the creature can't choose to be pushed and therefore must choose not to be pushed.
And,
A creature that chooses not to be pushed suffers the consequences of a failed saving throw.
So the creature suffers the consequences of a failed saving throw.
answered Apr 4 at 20:27
user48255user48255
5,5561033
$endgroup$
11
$begingroup$
This is a very evil pit trap. Poor cube.
$endgroup$
– NautArch
Apr 4 at 20:28
5
$begingroup$
There needs to be a way to fit "In Russia, Jello eats you" into this answer.
$endgroup$
– KorvinStarmast
Apr 4 at 22:29
3
$begingroup$
There clearly is open space 5 feet back. If it wasn't open space, they wouldn't have fallen through it.
$endgroup$
– sevenbrokenbricks
Apr 5 at 4:54
$begingroup$
But they are also 10 feet down in the pit still as the pit is 20 feet deep and the cube is 10 feet in all sizes @sevenbrokenbricks
$endgroup$
– Robin
Apr 5 at 7:00
1
$begingroup$
@Robin Sure, they’re still screwed. Point being that this answer hinges on counting the space they fall in through as simultaneously open and not open.
$endgroup$
– sevenbrokenbricks
Apr 5 at 7:10
add a comment |
$begingroup$
They don't get engulfed.
They get to choose to be pushed "back", away from the cube, which in this case means on top. This could be interpreted as swimming/floating on top of the cube, or clinging to the side of the pit. I'd leave it up to the player to decide, since they're going to need to come up with an escape plan. Presumably the cube will try to engulf them again on its turn (what else is it going to do?) and they'll have to make the save again.
Don't roll for things that are impossible.
Making the save with disadvantage is hard. However, if you've decided that the pit is completely smooth with no handholds, and don't accept the idea of floating on top of a gelatinous cube, then there really is no escape and you shouldn't let the player roll the save.
answered Apr 4 at 20:43
Mark WellsMark Wells
7,00211849
$endgroup$
add a comment |
$begingroup$
The RAW is unclear, putting this in DM ruling territory.
Answering this question requires answering at least some of the following: Can you stand on a gelatinous cube? If not, can you lay on one? Is it even possible for a character to fall onto (instead of into) one? Must escaping from Engulf be horizontal, or can it be vertical? What does a successful save represent in this situation? Would it allow a character to fall through a cube to a possible safe space through one of its horizontal faces, if being on it isn’t allowed? If a successful save yields no benefit over failure, should it have been offered at all?
The existing answers each hinge their logic on answers to some combination of the above sub-questions, but you won’t find those answers anywhere in the RAW. This kind of edge case is going to be largely up to your DM and your table.
answered Apr 5 at 15:25
sevenbrokenbrickssevenbrokenbricks
2,758826
$endgroup$
add a comment |
$begingroup$
They Bounce.
The text of the Engulf action of the Gelatinous Cube states that the save is DEX.
Whenever the cube enters a creature’s space, the creature must make a DC 12 Dexterity saving throw.
Because it’s a DEX save, I’d assume that the PC attempts to fall flat on their back or stomach, in an attempt to spread out their weight and keep from breaking through the surface of the gel.
You know how you can bounce a spoon on jello but easily pierce it with a fork? If the PC enters like on their side or feet-first, they don’t have enough contact area to spread out their weight, so they slide right through. If they fall face-first or on their back, they have a lot of area to spread their weight around, so they barely avoid breaking the surface tension of the gel.
This does make for a nice trap, as if the PC decides to stand up on the gel, they immediately fall into it. They’ll be forced to crawl slowly with difficulty trying to get out.
edited Apr 4 at 20:32
Rubiksmoose
61.3k10294450
answered Apr 4 at 20:30
Cook DooCook Doo
888
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6
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"Because it’s a DEX save, I’d assume that the PC attempts to fall flat on their back or stomach, in an attempt to spread out their weight and keep from breaking through the surface of the gel." Why do you assume this as opposed to any of the other number of interpretations that can be given to a DEX save?
$endgroup$
– Rubiksmoose
Apr 4 at 20:33
$begingroup$
It's an interesting idea. If a player proposed this, it would definitely have to be considered.
$endgroup$
– Mad_Joe
Apr 5 at 17:36
add a comment |
Your Answer
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4 Answers
4
active
oldest
votes
4 Answers
4
active
oldest
votes
active
oldest
votes
active
oldest
votes
$begingroup$
The creature is still stuck in the cube, even on a successful save.
As the question mentions, the cube has this property:
Ooze Cube. The cube takes up its entire space. Other creatures can enter the space, but a creature that does so is subjected to the cube's Engulf and has disadvantage on the saving throw.
From the Gelatinous Cube's Engulf ability:
On a successful save, the creature can choose to be pushed 5 feet back or to the side of the cube.
Emphasis mine. The operative word being that the creature can choose to be pushed, but doesn't have to if they don't want to (unlikely) or are unable to (more likely). If there is no space 5 feet back or to the side of the cube, the creature can't choose to be pushed and therefore must choose not to be pushed.
And,
A creature that chooses not to be pushed suffers the consequences of a failed saving throw.
So the creature suffers the consequences of a failed saving throw.
answered Apr 4 at 20:27
user48255user48255
5,5561033
$endgroup$
11
$begingroup$
This is a very evil pit trap. Poor cube.
$endgroup$
– NautArch
Apr 4 at 20:28
5
$begingroup$
There needs to be a way to fit "In Russia, Jello eats you" into this answer.
$endgroup$
– KorvinStarmast
Apr 4 at 22:29
3
$begingroup$
There clearly is open space 5 feet back. If it wasn't open space, they wouldn't have fallen through it.
$endgroup$
– sevenbrokenbricks
Apr 5 at 4:54
$begingroup$
But they are also 10 feet down in the pit still as the pit is 20 feet deep and the cube is 10 feet in all sizes @sevenbrokenbricks
$endgroup$
– Robin
Apr 5 at 7:00
1
$begingroup$
@Robin Sure, they’re still screwed. Point being that this answer hinges on counting the space they fall in through as simultaneously open and not open.
$endgroup$
– sevenbrokenbricks
Apr 5 at 7:10
add a comment |
$begingroup$
The creature is still stuck in the cube, even on a successful save.
As the question mentions, the cube has this property:
Ooze Cube. The cube takes up its entire space. Other creatures can enter the space, but a creature that does so is subjected to the cube's Engulf and has disadvantage on the saving throw.
From the Gelatinous Cube's Engulf ability:
On a successful save, the creature can choose to be pushed 5 feet back or to the side of the cube.
Emphasis mine. The operative word being that the creature can choose to be pushed, but doesn't have to if they don't want to (unlikely) or are unable to (more likely). If there is no space 5 feet back or to the side of the cube, the creature can't choose to be pushed and therefore must choose not to be pushed.
And,
A creature that chooses not to be pushed suffers the consequences of a failed saving throw.
So the creature suffers the consequences of a failed saving throw.
answered Apr 4 at 20:27
user48255user48255
5,5561033
$endgroup$
11
$begingroup$
This is a very evil pit trap. Poor cube.
$endgroup$
– NautArch
Apr 4 at 20:28
5
$begingroup$
There needs to be a way to fit "In Russia, Jello eats you" into this answer.
$endgroup$
– KorvinStarmast
Apr 4 at 22:29
3
$begingroup$
There clearly is open space 5 feet back. If it wasn't open space, they wouldn't have fallen through it.
$endgroup$
– sevenbrokenbricks
Apr 5 at 4:54
$begingroup$
But they are also 10 feet down in the pit still as the pit is 20 feet deep and the cube is 10 feet in all sizes @sevenbrokenbricks
$endgroup$
– Robin
Apr 5 at 7:00
1
$begingroup$
@Robin Sure, they’re still screwed. Point being that this answer hinges on counting the space they fall in through as simultaneously open and not open.
$endgroup$
– sevenbrokenbricks
Apr 5 at 7:10
add a comment |
$begingroup$
The creature is still stuck in the cube, even on a successful save.
As the question mentions, the cube has this property:
Ooze Cube. The cube takes up its entire space. Other creatures can enter the space, but a creature that does so is subjected to the cube's Engulf and has disadvantage on the saving throw.
From the Gelatinous Cube's Engulf ability:
On a successful save, the creature can choose to be pushed 5 feet back or to the side of the cube.
Emphasis mine. The operative word being that the creature can choose to be pushed, but doesn't have to if they don't want to (unlikely) or are unable to (more likely). If there is no space 5 feet back or to the side of the cube, the creature can't choose to be pushed and therefore must choose not to be pushed.
And,
A creature that chooses not to be pushed suffers the consequences of a failed saving throw.
So the creature suffers the consequences of a failed saving throw.
answered Apr 4 at 20:27
user48255user48255
5,5561033
$endgroup$
The creature is still stuck in the cube, even on a successful save.
As the question mentions, the cube has this property:
Ooze Cube. The cube takes up its entire space. Other creatures can enter the space, but a creature that does so is subjected to the cube's Engulf and has disadvantage on the saving throw.
From the Gelatinous Cube's Engulf ability:
On a successful save, the creature can choose to be pushed 5 feet back or to the side of the cube.
Emphasis mine. The operative word being that the creature can choose to be pushed, but doesn't have to if they don't want to (unlikely) or are unable to (more likely). If there is no space 5 feet back or to the side of the cube, the creature can't choose to be pushed and therefore must choose not to be pushed.
And,
A creature that chooses not to be pushed suffers the consequences of a failed saving throw.
So the creature suffers the consequences of a failed saving throw.
answered Apr 4 at 20:27
user48255user48255
5,5561033
edited Apr 4 at 20:39
answered Apr 4 at 20:27
user48255user48255
5,5561033
answered Apr 4 at 20:27
user48255user48255
5,5561033
answered Apr 4 at 20:27
user48255user48255
5,5561033
5,5561033
11
$begingroup$
This is a very evil pit trap. Poor cube.
$endgroup$
– NautArch
Apr 4 at 20:28
5
$begingroup$
There needs to be a way to fit "In Russia, Jello eats you" into this answer.
$endgroup$
– KorvinStarmast
Apr 4 at 22:29
3
$begingroup$
There clearly is open space 5 feet back. If it wasn't open space, they wouldn't have fallen through it.
$endgroup$
– sevenbrokenbricks
Apr 5 at 4:54
$begingroup$
But they are also 10 feet down in the pit still as the pit is 20 feet deep and the cube is 10 feet in all sizes @sevenbrokenbricks
$endgroup$
– Robin
Apr 5 at 7:00
1
$begingroup$
@Robin Sure, they’re still screwed. Point being that this answer hinges on counting the space they fall in through as simultaneously open and not open.
$endgroup$
– sevenbrokenbricks
Apr 5 at 7:10
add a comment |
11
$begingroup$
This is a very evil pit trap. Poor cube.
$endgroup$
– NautArch
Apr 4 at 20:28
5
$begingroup$
There needs to be a way to fit "In Russia, Jello eats you" into this answer.
$endgroup$
– KorvinStarmast
Apr 4 at 22:29
3
$begingroup$
There clearly is open space 5 feet back. If it wasn't open space, they wouldn't have fallen through it.
$endgroup$
– sevenbrokenbricks
Apr 5 at 4:54
$begingroup$
But they are also 10 feet down in the pit still as the pit is 20 feet deep and the cube is 10 feet in all sizes @sevenbrokenbricks
$endgroup$
– Robin
Apr 5 at 7:00
1
$begingroup$
@Robin Sure, they’re still screwed. Point being that this answer hinges on counting the space they fall in through as simultaneously open and not open.
$endgroup$
– sevenbrokenbricks
Apr 5 at 7:10
11
11
$begingroup$
This is a very evil pit trap. Poor cube.
$endgroup$
– NautArch
Apr 4 at 20:28
$begingroup$
This is a very evil pit trap. Poor cube.
$endgroup$
– NautArch
Apr 4 at 20:28
5
5
$begingroup$
There needs to be a way to fit "In Russia, Jello eats you" into this answer.
$endgroup$
– KorvinStarmast
Apr 4 at 22:29
$begingroup$
There needs to be a way to fit "In Russia, Jello eats you" into this answer.
$endgroup$
– KorvinStarmast
Apr 4 at 22:29
3
3
$begingroup$
There clearly is open space 5 feet back. If it wasn't open space, they wouldn't have fallen through it.
$endgroup$
– sevenbrokenbricks
Apr 5 at 4:54
$begingroup$
There clearly is open space 5 feet back. If it wasn't open space, they wouldn't have fallen through it.
$endgroup$
– sevenbrokenbricks
Apr 5 at 4:54
$begingroup$
But they are also 10 feet down in the pit still as the pit is 20 feet deep and the cube is 10 feet in all sizes @sevenbrokenbricks
$endgroup$
– Robin
Apr 5 at 7:00
$begingroup$
But they are also 10 feet down in the pit still as the pit is 20 feet deep and the cube is 10 feet in all sizes @sevenbrokenbricks
$endgroup$
– Robin
Apr 5 at 7:00
1
1
$begingroup$
@Robin Sure, they’re still screwed. Point being that this answer hinges on counting the space they fall in through as simultaneously open and not open.
$endgroup$
– sevenbrokenbricks
Apr 5 at 7:10
$begingroup$
@Robin Sure, they’re still screwed. Point being that this answer hinges on counting the space they fall in through as simultaneously open and not open.
$endgroup$
– sevenbrokenbricks
Apr 5 at 7:10
add a comment |
$begingroup$
They don't get engulfed.
They get to choose to be pushed "back", away from the cube, which in this case means on top. This could be interpreted as swimming/floating on top of the cube, or clinging to the side of the pit. I'd leave it up to the player to decide, since they're going to need to come up with an escape plan. Presumably the cube will try to engulf them again on its turn (what else is it going to do?) and they'll have to make the save again.
Don't roll for things that are impossible.
Making the save with disadvantage is hard. However, if you've decided that the pit is completely smooth with no handholds, and don't accept the idea of floating on top of a gelatinous cube, then there really is no escape and you shouldn't let the player roll the save.
answered Apr 4 at 20:43
Mark WellsMark Wells
7,00211849
$endgroup$
add a comment |
$begingroup$
They don't get engulfed.
They get to choose to be pushed "back", away from the cube, which in this case means on top. This could be interpreted as swimming/floating on top of the cube, or clinging to the side of the pit. I'd leave it up to the player to decide, since they're going to need to come up with an escape plan. Presumably the cube will try to engulf them again on its turn (what else is it going to do?) and they'll have to make the save again.
Don't roll for things that are impossible.
Making the save with disadvantage is hard. However, if you've decided that the pit is completely smooth with no handholds, and don't accept the idea of floating on top of a gelatinous cube, then there really is no escape and you shouldn't let the player roll the save.
answered Apr 4 at 20:43
Mark WellsMark Wells
7,00211849
$endgroup$
add a comment |
$begingroup$
They don't get engulfed.
They get to choose to be pushed "back", away from the cube, which in this case means on top. This could be interpreted as swimming/floating on top of the cube, or clinging to the side of the pit. I'd leave it up to the player to decide, since they're going to need to come up with an escape plan. Presumably the cube will try to engulf them again on its turn (what else is it going to do?) and they'll have to make the save again.
Don't roll for things that are impossible.
Making the save with disadvantage is hard. However, if you've decided that the pit is completely smooth with no handholds, and don't accept the idea of floating on top of a gelatinous cube, then there really is no escape and you shouldn't let the player roll the save.
answered Apr 4 at 20:43
Mark WellsMark Wells
7,00211849
$endgroup$
They don't get engulfed.
They get to choose to be pushed "back", away from the cube, which in this case means on top. This could be interpreted as swimming/floating on top of the cube, or clinging to the side of the pit. I'd leave it up to the player to decide, since they're going to need to come up with an escape plan. Presumably the cube will try to engulf them again on its turn (what else is it going to do?) and they'll have to make the save again.
Don't roll for things that are impossible.
Making the save with disadvantage is hard. However, if you've decided that the pit is completely smooth with no handholds, and don't accept the idea of floating on top of a gelatinous cube, then there really is no escape and you shouldn't let the player roll the save.
answered Apr 4 at 20:43
Mark WellsMark Wells
7,00211849
answered Apr 4 at 20:43
Mark WellsMark Wells
7,00211849
answered Apr 4 at 20:43
Mark WellsMark Wells
7,00211849
answered Apr 4 at 20:43
Mark WellsMark Wells
7,00211849
7,00211849
add a comment |
add a comment |
$begingroup$
The RAW is unclear, putting this in DM ruling territory.
Answering this question requires answering at least some of the following: Can you stand on a gelatinous cube? If not, can you lay on one? Is it even possible for a character to fall onto (instead of into) one? Must escaping from Engulf be horizontal, or can it be vertical? What does a successful save represent in this situation? Would it allow a character to fall through a cube to a possible safe space through one of its horizontal faces, if being on it isn’t allowed? If a successful save yields no benefit over failure, should it have been offered at all?
The existing answers each hinge their logic on answers to some combination of the above sub-questions, but you won’t find those answers anywhere in the RAW. This kind of edge case is going to be largely up to your DM and your table.
answered Apr 5 at 15:25
sevenbrokenbrickssevenbrokenbricks
2,758826
$endgroup$
add a comment |
$begingroup$
The RAW is unclear, putting this in DM ruling territory.
Answering this question requires answering at least some of the following: Can you stand on a gelatinous cube? If not, can you lay on one? Is it even possible for a character to fall onto (instead of into) one? Must escaping from Engulf be horizontal, or can it be vertical? What does a successful save represent in this situation? Would it allow a character to fall through a cube to a possible safe space through one of its horizontal faces, if being on it isn’t allowed? If a successful save yields no benefit over failure, should it have been offered at all?
The existing answers each hinge their logic on answers to some combination of the above sub-questions, but you won’t find those answers anywhere in the RAW. This kind of edge case is going to be largely up to your DM and your table.
answered Apr 5 at 15:25
sevenbrokenbrickssevenbrokenbricks
2,758826
$endgroup$
add a comment |
$begingroup$
The RAW is unclear, putting this in DM ruling territory.
Answering this question requires answering at least some of the following: Can you stand on a gelatinous cube? If not, can you lay on one? Is it even possible for a character to fall onto (instead of into) one? Must escaping from Engulf be horizontal, or can it be vertical? What does a successful save represent in this situation? Would it allow a character to fall through a cube to a possible safe space through one of its horizontal faces, if being on it isn’t allowed? If a successful save yields no benefit over failure, should it have been offered at all?
The existing answers each hinge their logic on answers to some combination of the above sub-questions, but you won’t find those answers anywhere in the RAW. This kind of edge case is going to be largely up to your DM and your table.
answered Apr 5 at 15:25
sevenbrokenbrickssevenbrokenbricks
2,758826
$endgroup$
The RAW is unclear, putting this in DM ruling territory.
Answering this question requires answering at least some of the following: Can you stand on a gelatinous cube? If not, can you lay on one? Is it even possible for a character to fall onto (instead of into) one? Must escaping from Engulf be horizontal, or can it be vertical? What does a successful save represent in this situation? Would it allow a character to fall through a cube to a possible safe space through one of its horizontal faces, if being on it isn’t allowed? If a successful save yields no benefit over failure, should it have been offered at all?
The existing answers each hinge their logic on answers to some combination of the above sub-questions, but you won’t find those answers anywhere in the RAW. This kind of edge case is going to be largely up to your DM and your table.
answered Apr 5 at 15:25
sevenbrokenbrickssevenbrokenbricks
2,758826
answered Apr 5 at 15:25
sevenbrokenbrickssevenbrokenbricks
2,758826
answered Apr 5 at 15:25
sevenbrokenbrickssevenbrokenbricks
2,758826
answered Apr 5 at 15:25
sevenbrokenbrickssevenbrokenbricks
2,758826
2,758826
add a comment |
add a comment |
$begingroup$
They Bounce.
The text of the Engulf action of the Gelatinous Cube states that the save is DEX.
Whenever the cube enters a creature’s space, the creature must make a DC 12 Dexterity saving throw.
Because it’s a DEX save, I’d assume that the PC attempts to fall flat on their back or stomach, in an attempt to spread out their weight and keep from breaking through the surface of the gel.
You know how you can bounce a spoon on jello but easily pierce it with a fork? If the PC enters like on their side or feet-first, they don’t have enough contact area to spread out their weight, so they slide right through. If they fall face-first or on their back, they have a lot of area to spread their weight around, so they barely avoid breaking the surface tension of the gel.
This does make for a nice trap, as if the PC decides to stand up on the gel, they immediately fall into it. They’ll be forced to crawl slowly with difficulty trying to get out.
edited Apr 4 at 20:32
Rubiksmoose
61.3k10294450
answered Apr 4 at 20:30
Cook DooCook Doo
888
$endgroup$
6
$begingroup$
"Because it’s a DEX save, I’d assume that the PC attempts to fall flat on their back or stomach, in an attempt to spread out their weight and keep from breaking through the surface of the gel." Why do you assume this as opposed to any of the other number of interpretations that can be given to a DEX save?
$endgroup$
– Rubiksmoose
Apr 4 at 20:33
$begingroup$
It's an interesting idea. If a player proposed this, it would definitely have to be considered.
$endgroup$
– Mad_Joe
Apr 5 at 17:36
add a comment |
$begingroup$
They Bounce.
The text of the Engulf action of the Gelatinous Cube states that the save is DEX.
Whenever the cube enters a creature’s space, the creature must make a DC 12 Dexterity saving throw.
Because it’s a DEX save, I’d assume that the PC attempts to fall flat on their back or stomach, in an attempt to spread out their weight and keep from breaking through the surface of the gel.
You know how you can bounce a spoon on jello but easily pierce it with a fork? If the PC enters like on their side or feet-first, they don’t have enough contact area to spread out their weight, so they slide right through. If they fall face-first or on their back, they have a lot of area to spread their weight around, so they barely avoid breaking the surface tension of the gel.
This does make for a nice trap, as if the PC decides to stand up on the gel, they immediately fall into it. They’ll be forced to crawl slowly with difficulty trying to get out.
edited Apr 4 at 20:32
Rubiksmoose
61.3k10294450
answered Apr 4 at 20:30
Cook DooCook Doo
888
$endgroup$
6
$begingroup$
"Because it’s a DEX save, I’d assume that the PC attempts to fall flat on their back or stomach, in an attempt to spread out their weight and keep from breaking through the surface of the gel." Why do you assume this as opposed to any of the other number of interpretations that can be given to a DEX save?
$endgroup$
– Rubiksmoose
Apr 4 at 20:33
$begingroup$
It's an interesting idea. If a player proposed this, it would definitely have to be considered.
$endgroup$
– Mad_Joe
Apr 5 at 17:36
add a comment |
$begingroup$
They Bounce.
The text of the Engulf action of the Gelatinous Cube states that the save is DEX.
Whenever the cube enters a creature’s space, the creature must make a DC 12 Dexterity saving throw.
Because it’s a DEX save, I’d assume that the PC attempts to fall flat on their back or stomach, in an attempt to spread out their weight and keep from breaking through the surface of the gel.
You know how you can bounce a spoon on jello but easily pierce it with a fork? If the PC enters like on their side or feet-first, they don’t have enough contact area to spread out their weight, so they slide right through. If they fall face-first or on their back, they have a lot of area to spread their weight around, so they barely avoid breaking the surface tension of the gel.
This does make for a nice trap, as if the PC decides to stand up on the gel, they immediately fall into it. They’ll be forced to crawl slowly with difficulty trying to get out.
edited Apr 4 at 20:32
Rubiksmoose
61.3k10294450
answered Apr 4 at 20:30
Cook DooCook Doo
888
$endgroup$
They Bounce.
The text of the Engulf action of the Gelatinous Cube states that the save is DEX.
Whenever the cube enters a creature’s space, the creature must make a DC 12 Dexterity saving throw.
Because it’s a DEX save, I’d assume that the PC attempts to fall flat on their back or stomach, in an attempt to spread out their weight and keep from breaking through the surface of the gel.
You know how you can bounce a spoon on jello but easily pierce it with a fork? If the PC enters like on their side or feet-first, they don’t have enough contact area to spread out their weight, so they slide right through. If they fall face-first or on their back, they have a lot of area to spread their weight around, so they barely avoid breaking the surface tension of the gel.
This does make for a nice trap, as if the PC decides to stand up on the gel, they immediately fall into it. They’ll be forced to crawl slowly with difficulty trying to get out.
edited Apr 4 at 20:32
Rubiksmoose
61.3k10294450
answered Apr 4 at 20:30
Cook DooCook Doo
888
edited Apr 4 at 20:32
Rubiksmoose
61.3k10294450
edited Apr 4 at 20:32
Rubiksmoose
61.3k10294450
edited Apr 4 at 20:32
Rubiksmoose
61.3k10294450
61.3k10294450
answered Apr 4 at 20:30
Cook DooCook Doo
888
answered Apr 4 at 20:30
Cook DooCook Doo
888
answered Apr 4 at 20:30
Cook DooCook Doo
888
888
6
$begingroup$
"Because it’s a DEX save, I’d assume that the PC attempts to fall flat on their back or stomach, in an attempt to spread out their weight and keep from breaking through the surface of the gel." Why do you assume this as opposed to any of the other number of interpretations that can be given to a DEX save?
$endgroup$
– Rubiksmoose
Apr 4 at 20:33
$begingroup$
It's an interesting idea. If a player proposed this, it would definitely have to be considered.
$endgroup$
– Mad_Joe
Apr 5 at 17:36
add a comment |
6
$begingroup$
"Because it’s a DEX save, I’d assume that the PC attempts to fall flat on their back or stomach, in an attempt to spread out their weight and keep from breaking through the surface of the gel." Why do you assume this as opposed to any of the other number of interpretations that can be given to a DEX save?
$endgroup$
– Rubiksmoose
Apr 4 at 20:33
$begingroup$
It's an interesting idea. If a player proposed this, it would definitely have to be considered.
$endgroup$
– Mad_Joe
Apr 5 at 17:36
6
6
$begingroup$
"Because it’s a DEX save, I’d assume that the PC attempts to fall flat on their back or stomach, in an attempt to spread out their weight and keep from breaking through the surface of the gel." Why do you assume this as opposed to any of the other number of interpretations that can be given to a DEX save?
$endgroup$
– Rubiksmoose
Apr 4 at 20:33
$begingroup$
"Because it’s a DEX save, I’d assume that the PC attempts to fall flat on their back or stomach, in an attempt to spread out their weight and keep from breaking through the surface of the gel." Why do you assume this as opposed to any of the other number of interpretations that can be given to a DEX save?
$endgroup$
– Rubiksmoose
Apr 4 at 20:33
$begingroup$
It's an interesting idea. If a player proposed this, it would definitely have to be considered.
$endgroup$
– Mad_Joe
Apr 5 at 17:36
$begingroup$
It's an interesting idea. If a player proposed this, it would definitely have to be considered.
$endgroup$
– Mad_Joe
Apr 5 at 17:36
add a comment |
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$begingroup$
I assume the question is where they end up, since they have nowhere to go but into the cube?
$endgroup$
– Mark Wells
Apr 4 at 20:21
$begingroup$
Related on What happens when you end up sharing an enemy or friend's space due to a size change?
$endgroup$
– NautArch
Apr 4 at 20:23
$begingroup$
Related (possible dupe?) on What happens when a character is shoved into other characters in tight quarters?
$endgroup$
– NautArch
Apr 4 at 20:24
$begingroup$
I think "where does the character end up" might be a more concise question, especially given that the engulf rules seem to be main concerned with where the target ends up (inside the cube or outside the cube). Thanks.
$endgroup$
– Mad_Joe
Apr 4 at 20:49
2
$begingroup$
Love your old school trap. "In Mad Joe's dungeon, Jello eats you!"
$endgroup$
– KorvinStarmast
Apr 4 at 22:30