D&D 5E Squeezing Into A Smaller Space [variant]

[CapnZapp]

While squeezing, a creature must spend 1 extra foot for every foot it moves, and it has disadvantage on Dexterity saving throws. Attack rolls against a squeezing creature have advantage.

While squeezing, a creature has disadvantage on weapon attacks, except when made by light weapons. While squeezing, a creature cannot make weapon attacks with a heavy weapon.

 

[CapnZapp]

This variant attempts to desimplify the experience of doing a dungeon delve against small-sized creatures.

The intention is to give the player characters a reason to avoid large weaponry. By RAW, there is no reason to not keep using a Maul or Halberd despite squeezing through small-sized tunnels, since every attack is disadvantaged equally. By RAW there is no benefit of using a dagger, say.

Instead of every attack having disadvantage, this variant enables characters to choose to use light weapons* to avoid disadvantage - a significant help at the very lowest levels. In return, using heavy weapons become impossible. Overall, this is expected to be a net gain for the party (remember, against small critters like kobolds, more than 5 damage is overkill anyway).

*) or no weapons. Monks benefit from not getting disadvantage too, since their unarmed attacks aren't weapon attacks at all. The same goes for cantrip casters.

 

[Redthistle]

I kind of like this.

I've added it to my "House Rules Under Consideration" sheet for my group to look at and, well, consider.

 

[CapnZapp]

Thanks

Sent from my C6603 using EN World mobile app

 

[Yaarel]

While squeezing, a creature must spend 1 extra foot for every foot it moves, and it has disadvantage on Dexterity saving throws. Attack rolls against a squeezing creature have advantage.

While squeezing, a creature has disadvantage on weapon attacks, except when made by light weapons. While squeezing, a creature cannot make weapon attacks with a heavy weapon.

This should apply to Grappling too. Light weapons are usable, but not any other weapons. Probably the 1 foot cost for each foot of movement should apply too, while Grappling.