Grease Rules Question

[Cavalry_Medic]

Re: Grease spell, PHB

Can one take a 5' step without occurring any die rolls (Ref save, Balance check)?
Can one crawl without occurring any die rolls?

[PhaedrusXY]

There is always an "Ask a Simple Question" thread in the Min/Max forum for things like this, although the current one's name isn't as clear as some of the earlier ones were...

Anyway here are my opinions:

No, you can't take a 5' step without making a balance check.

And yes, you don't need to make a balance check to crawl. What's going to happen if you fail? You're going to fall down further? Although crawling provokes attacks of opportunity, so it might not be a great idea...

Crawling incurs attacks of opportunity from any attackers who threaten you at any point of your crawl.

[McPoyo]

There is always an "Ask a Simple Question" thread in the Min/Max forum for things like this, although the current one's name isn't as clear as some of the earlier ones were...

Anyway here are my opinions:

No, you can't take a 5' step without making a balance check.

And yes, you don't need to make a balance check to crawl. What's going to happen if you fail? You're going to fall down further? Although crawling provokes attacks of opportunity, so it might not be a great idea...

Crawling incurs attacks of opportunity from any attackers who threaten you at any point of your crawl.

I dunno. You ever tried to crawl on a very greasy or icy floor? If you have no traction, you can't move. If you can't keep on your hands and knees, you aren't going anywhere either.

[PhaedrusXY]

There is always an "Ask a Simple Question" thread in the Min/Max forum for things like this, although the current one's name isn't as clear as some of the earlier ones were...

Anyway here are my opinions:

No, you can't take a 5' step without making a balance check.

And yes, you don't need to make a balance check to crawl. What's going to happen if you fail? You're going to fall down further? Although crawling provokes attacks of opportunity, so it might not be a great idea...

Crawling incurs attacks of opportunity from any attackers who threaten you at any point of your crawl.

I dunno. You ever tried to crawl on a very greasy or icy floor? If you have no traction, you can't move. If you can't keep on your hands and knees, you aren't going anywhere either.

You can do the worm.

[McPoyo]

There is always an "Ask a Simple Question" thread in the Min/Max forum for things like this, although the current one's name isn't as clear as some of the earlier ones were...

Anyway here are my opinions:

No, you can't take a 5' step without making a balance check.

And yes, you don't need to make a balance check to crawl. What's going to happen if you fail? You're going to fall down further? Although crawling provokes attacks of opportunity, so it might not be a great idea...

Crawling incurs attacks of opportunity from any attackers who threaten you at any point of your crawl.

I dunno. You ever tried to crawl on a very greasy or icy floor? If you have no traction, you can't move. If you can't keep on your hands and knees, you aren't going anywhere either.

You can do the worm.

Still requires enough traction to keep the part in contact with the ground from sliding. Also, that takes longer than six seconds to move five feet.

[Epimetheus]

There is always an "Ask a Simple Question" thread in the Min/Max forum for things like this, although the current one's name isn't as clear as some of the earlier ones were...

Anyway here are my opinions:

No, you can't take a 5' step without making a balance check.

And yes, you don't need to make a balance check to crawl. What's going to happen if you fail? You're going to fall down further? Although crawling provokes attacks of opportunity, so it might not be a great idea...

Crawling incurs attacks of opportunity from any attackers who threaten you at any point of your crawl.

I dunno. You ever tried to crawl on a very greasy or icy floor? If you have no traction, you can't move. If you can't keep on your hands and knees, you aren't going anywhere either.

You can do the worm.

Still requires enough traction to keep the part in contact with the ground from sliding. Also, that takes longer than six seconds to move five feet.

Definitely laughed at that...

I'd say balance check or you can't move. Of course, the best way is to Tumble out of there, since rolling out of a Greased area should be okay. (if you can somehow get the momentum to begin rolling. Jump then begin your roll? Still needs some horizontal momentum though...)

[Hallack]

Yeah, I don't see why the normal Balance check wouldn't still be required even for a crawl.

[Bauglir]

Well, you're not balancing. You're just getting traction. That's the argument I'd see.

[weenog]

Meh, if you got armor spikes, the worm on grease or ice should be easy enough.  Though if you've got armor spikes you might as well just goron roll out of there.

[The_Mad_Linguist]

Meh, if you got armor spikes, the worm on grease or ice should be easy enough.  Though if you've got armor spikes you might as well just goron roll out of there.

Or you get stuck into the ground...

On the plus side you can aerate people's lawns for pocket change.

[Sinfire Titan]

What's going to happen if you fail? You're going to fall down further?

You fall through the level.



But the best use for Grease is to recreate Nudes on Ice.

[Nietzscheese]

You can gain enough traction on ice to move 5 feet in 6 seconds (tested on many of ice hockey rinks and frozen ponds/creeks...even when the ice is melting and its especially slippery) its actually pretty easy.  With grease it would depend on what it's covering.  If the substance underneath is jagged or rough it should be easy enough to find footing/traction.  If for some reason your on a glass floor with grease on it, it could be more difficult.
I suggest someone test this and post results.

[McPoyo]

You can gain enough traction on ice to move 5 feet in 6 seconds (tested on many of ice hockey rinks and frozen ponds/creeks...even when the ice is melting and its especially slippery) its actually pretty easy.  With grease it would depend on what it's covering.  If the substance underneath is jagged or rough it should be easy enough to find footing/traction.  If for some reason your on a glass floor with grease on it, it could be more difficult.
I suggest someone test this and post results.

I imagine that's because they passed their balance check. I've seen plenty of people flounder about and get nowhere.

Also, frostburn lists greased ice as having +5 to the balance DC because it is extra slippery, and sandstorm says the same about greased glass.

[PhaedrusXY]

and sandstorm says the same about greased glass.

Wow... I'm absolutely amazed that they actually listed the conditions for just being on glass... much less greased glass... 

[McPoyo]

and sandstorm says the same about greased glass.

Wow... I'm absolutely amazed that they actually listed the conditions for just being on glass... much less greased glass... 

they've got a major terrain feature that's glass.

[PhaedrusXY]

and sandstorm says the same about greased glass.

Wow... I'm absolutely amazed that they actually listed the conditions for just being on glass... much less greased glass... 

they've got a major terrain feature that's glass.

Yeah, that's freakin' awesome. I'm going to have to read through that book. (like I'll ever have the time for that...)

[McPoyo]

and sandstorm says the same about greased glass.

Wow... I'm absolutely amazed that they actually listed the conditions for just being on glass... much less greased glass... 

they've got a major terrain feature that's glass.

Yeah, that's freakin' awesome. I'm going to have to read through that book. (like I'll ever have the time for that...)

Just ran a oneshot. Was awesome. Sand Golems, despite not doing much damage, cause suffocation on a hit. Both beatfaces failed their DC 10 Con check for round one and passed out first round of the fight. Rolling really badly is hilarious.

[Nietzscheese]

You can gain enough traction on ice to move 5 feet in 6 seconds (tested on many of ice hockey rinks and frozen ponds/creeks...even when the ice is melting and its especially slippery) its actually pretty easy.  With grease it would depend on what it's covering.  If the substance underneath is jagged or rough it should be easy enough to find footing/traction.  If for some reason your on a glass floor with grease on it, it could be more difficult.
I suggest someone test this and post results.

I imagine that's because they passed their balance check. I've seen plenty of people flounder about and get nowhere.

Also, frostburn lists greased ice as having +5 to the balance DC because it is extra slippery, and sandstorm says the same about greased glass.

Yes obviously they've passed their balance check if they're moving on the ice.  I'm just stating that its pretty easy to do.  Crawling should probably give you a pretty hefty bonus on your balance check.

[McPoyo]

+4 stability bonus?

[Nietzscheese]

+4 stability bonus?

I'd go higher; but it's really whatever floats the DM's boat.