How to Handle Swimming in Dungeons & Dragons 5e
Armor Encumbrances
Medium or heavier armor imposes disadvantage on Strength (Athletics) checks to swim. Plate armor has a swimming speed of 0 feet and automatically causes the wearer to sink unless they can cast a spell like "Water Breathing."
Drowning
Characters unconscious due to drowning begin making death saving throws. Each round, they roll a D20 and add their Constitution modifier. If they roll a 10 or higher, they succeed. On a 1-9, they fail. Three successes stabilize the character, while three failures cause death.
Death Saves
If a character dies while drowning, they have a limited time to be revived. Others can administer a Medicine check (DC 10) to attempt to stabilize the character. If successful, the character makes death saving throws normally. If the check fails, the character dies.
Related Questions
- How does armor affect swimming speed? Armor encumbrances can impose disadvantage on swimming checks or reduce swimming speed to 0 feet.
- How do you determine if a character is drowning? Unconscious characters make death saving throws every round they are underwater.
- What is the DC for a Medicine check to stabilize a drowning character? DC 10.
- How many death saves can a character make while drowning? Three.
- What happens if a character fails three death saves while drowning? The character dies.
Related Products
- Water Breathing Potion
- Swim Speed Amulet
- Buoyancy Stone
- Diving Helm
- Underwater Goggles
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