Can a creature with a climbing speed climb across ceilings without penalty?











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As the title says, I am unsure as to whether a creature with a climbing speed would be able to climb across the ceilings using their climb speed and avoid any difficult terrain penalties.



This question came about because of a feature of a Simic Hybrid from the Guildmasters' Guide to Ravnica, which gives a player character a climbing speed.










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  • Are you asking if they can move across a ceiling using their Climb speed (and bypass difficult terrain movement penalties) or are you simply asking if that creature can move across a ceiling? You've also got a few questions in there and, while related, they may do better separately.
    – NautArch
    8 hours ago












  • The former: whether climbing speed allows a creature to freely navigate upside down, but I'm also interested in whether such a creature can freely "stick" to the ceiling
    – L0neGamer
    6 hours ago

















up vote
6
down vote

favorite












As the title says, I am unsure as to whether a creature with a climbing speed would be able to climb across the ceilings using their climb speed and avoid any difficult terrain penalties.



This question came about because of a feature of a Simic Hybrid from the Guildmasters' Guide to Ravnica, which gives a player character a climbing speed.










share|improve this question









New contributor




L0neGamer is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.




















  • Are you asking if they can move across a ceiling using their Climb speed (and bypass difficult terrain movement penalties) or are you simply asking if that creature can move across a ceiling? You've also got a few questions in there and, while related, they may do better separately.
    – NautArch
    8 hours ago












  • The former: whether climbing speed allows a creature to freely navigate upside down, but I'm also interested in whether such a creature can freely "stick" to the ceiling
    – L0neGamer
    6 hours ago















up vote
6
down vote

favorite









up vote
6
down vote

favorite











As the title says, I am unsure as to whether a creature with a climbing speed would be able to climb across the ceilings using their climb speed and avoid any difficult terrain penalties.



This question came about because of a feature of a Simic Hybrid from the Guildmasters' Guide to Ravnica, which gives a player character a climbing speed.










share|improve this question









New contributor




L0neGamer is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.











As the title says, I am unsure as to whether a creature with a climbing speed would be able to climb across the ceilings using their climb speed and avoid any difficult terrain penalties.



This question came about because of a feature of a Simic Hybrid from the Guildmasters' Guide to Ravnica, which gives a player character a climbing speed.







dnd-5e movement






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L0neGamer is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
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share|improve this question









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edited 6 hours ago









KorvinStarmast

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asked 9 hours ago









L0neGamer

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L0neGamer is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.






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Check out our Code of Conduct.












  • Are you asking if they can move across a ceiling using their Climb speed (and bypass difficult terrain movement penalties) or are you simply asking if that creature can move across a ceiling? You've also got a few questions in there and, while related, they may do better separately.
    – NautArch
    8 hours ago












  • The former: whether climbing speed allows a creature to freely navigate upside down, but I'm also interested in whether such a creature can freely "stick" to the ceiling
    – L0neGamer
    6 hours ago




















  • Are you asking if they can move across a ceiling using their Climb speed (and bypass difficult terrain movement penalties) or are you simply asking if that creature can move across a ceiling? You've also got a few questions in there and, while related, they may do better separately.
    – NautArch
    8 hours ago












  • The former: whether climbing speed allows a creature to freely navigate upside down, but I'm also interested in whether such a creature can freely "stick" to the ceiling
    – L0neGamer
    6 hours ago


















Are you asking if they can move across a ceiling using their Climb speed (and bypass difficult terrain movement penalties) or are you simply asking if that creature can move across a ceiling? You've also got a few questions in there and, while related, they may do better separately.
– NautArch
8 hours ago






Are you asking if they can move across a ceiling using their Climb speed (and bypass difficult terrain movement penalties) or are you simply asking if that creature can move across a ceiling? You've also got a few questions in there and, while related, they may do better separately.
– NautArch
8 hours ago














The former: whether climbing speed allows a creature to freely navigate upside down, but I'm also interested in whether such a creature can freely "stick" to the ceiling
– L0neGamer
6 hours ago






The former: whether climbing speed allows a creature to freely navigate upside down, but I'm also interested in whether such a creature can freely "stick" to the ceiling
– L0neGamer
6 hours ago












2 Answers
2






active

oldest

votes

















up vote
5
down vote



accepted










A creature with a climb speed can climb across ceilings but not any better than a creature without a climb speed.



Per RAW, creatures with a climb speed only gain a benefit to climbing vertical surfaces as outlined in the MM.




Climb



A creature with a climbing speed can use all or part of its movement
to move on vertical surfaces (emphasis mine). The monster doesn't need to spend extra movement to climb. (MM p. 8)




Creatures with climb speeds do not explicitly gain any benefit to moving across ceilings, though any creature that could reasonably scale a ceiling may still do so. A creature spends 2 feet per 1 foot of its movement scaling a ceiling regardless of whether or not it has a climb speed.



If any character or creature has themselves, the capacity to scale the underside of a horizontal surface (i.e. ceiling), and if that surface has enough outcroppings or other characteristic that would make such a feat possible, then that creature can do so using the climb rules outlined in the PHB.




Climbing, Swimming, and Crawling



When climbing ..., each foot of movement costs 1 extra foot (2 in
difficult terrain, unless the creature has a climbing ... speed. (PHB p. 182)




It should also be noted that having a climbing speed does not necessarily exempt you from having to make athletics checks under duress or when failing a climb could have consequences. The following rules, per RAW, still apply.




Ability Checks



... The DM calls for an ability check when a character or monster
attempts an action ... that has a chance of failure. (PHB p. 171)




and




Using Each Ability



Strength Checks



Athletics. Your Strength (Athletics) check covers difficult situations you encounter while climbing... Examples include...
climbing a sheer or slippery cliff [ceiling], avoid hazards while
scaling, cling to a surface while something is trying to knock you
off. (PHB p. 175)







share|improve this answer



















  • 2




    FYI: some indirect evidence that moving across a ceiling should require ability checks comes from the Spider climb spell and you might consider referencing that: "The spider can climb difficult surfaces, including upside down on ceilings, without needing to make an ability check."
    – Rubiksmoose
    8 hours ago












  • Uh, where are you getting the ability to cross ceilings with climb, again? I don't see it referenced in your answer.
    – Chemus
    8 hours ago










  • @ Chemus Deductive reasoning I suppose. If a character wanted to traverse the underside of horizontal surface that had enough outcroppings to make such a feat possible, then it seems a climb check is appropriate. If a climb check is appropriate then the rules for applying it to the game are highlighted in my answer, the MM climb block quote, and guidance can be found in the PHB p.171 and 175.
    – Token
    8 hours ago








  • 3




    You should probably include some of the information in your comment on "traverse the horizontal surface that had enough outcroppings to make such a feat possible. That's a pretty important consideration to note and how such DM description of a ceiling may be a major factor in this.
    – NautArch
    8 hours ago






  • 3




    This is a good answer, however due to some small changes the question has changed slightly. Once this answer has been updated it'll likely be accepted.
    – L0neGamer
    6 hours ago




















up vote
3
down vote













I'm not sure precisely what you're asking here.



Can you hang from or cross the ceiling?



Any creature, climb speed or not, can potentially grab onto a ceiling feature and hang from it. If the ceiling is covered in vines, carvings, rafters, or has some other potential handholds, it's up to the DM to determine whether the handholds can support your weight, and what roll (if any) is needed to maintain a grip and/or move across the surface hand-over-hand.



While most of the climbing rules talk about 'vertical' surfaces, it's pretty clear from our normal understanding of the world that an action like this would still constitute climbing and be subject to all the rules that relate to that, such as increased movement cost and requiring an Athletics roll if the surface is challenging. A climb speed operates as usual in this case, allowing you to ignore the cost increase and potentially not make rolls.



(As examples, I would think that crossing from something like playground 'monkey bars' would not require a check, or only a minimal DC, while more difficult surfaces, such as a vine-covered ceiling or going from stalactite to stalactite, would be far more difficult.)



Can you hang from or climb across a smooth ceiling that lacks handholds or other similar features?



Probably not, unless the source of your climb speed (or some other rule) specifically says you can.



For example, the spider climb spell says




one willing creature you touch gains the ability to move up, down, and across vertical surfaces and upside down along ceilings




Similarly, the spiders in the Monster Manual share an ability called (again) Spider Climb, which reads:




The spider can climb difficult surfaces, including upside down on ceilings, without needing to make an ability check.




A Simic Hybrid's climb speed (if I recall correctly) is just a climb speed that doesn't include a spider-climb-like clause, so it would not allow you to cross a ceiling without something to hold onto.






share|improve this answer























  • OP clarified and simplified their question. May want to revisit.
    – NautArch
    5 hours ago











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2 Answers
2






active

oldest

votes








2 Answers
2






active

oldest

votes









active

oldest

votes






active

oldest

votes








up vote
5
down vote



accepted










A creature with a climb speed can climb across ceilings but not any better than a creature without a climb speed.



Per RAW, creatures with a climb speed only gain a benefit to climbing vertical surfaces as outlined in the MM.




Climb



A creature with a climbing speed can use all or part of its movement
to move on vertical surfaces (emphasis mine). The monster doesn't need to spend extra movement to climb. (MM p. 8)




Creatures with climb speeds do not explicitly gain any benefit to moving across ceilings, though any creature that could reasonably scale a ceiling may still do so. A creature spends 2 feet per 1 foot of its movement scaling a ceiling regardless of whether or not it has a climb speed.



If any character or creature has themselves, the capacity to scale the underside of a horizontal surface (i.e. ceiling), and if that surface has enough outcroppings or other characteristic that would make such a feat possible, then that creature can do so using the climb rules outlined in the PHB.




Climbing, Swimming, and Crawling



When climbing ..., each foot of movement costs 1 extra foot (2 in
difficult terrain, unless the creature has a climbing ... speed. (PHB p. 182)




It should also be noted that having a climbing speed does not necessarily exempt you from having to make athletics checks under duress or when failing a climb could have consequences. The following rules, per RAW, still apply.




Ability Checks



... The DM calls for an ability check when a character or monster
attempts an action ... that has a chance of failure. (PHB p. 171)




and




Using Each Ability



Strength Checks



Athletics. Your Strength (Athletics) check covers difficult situations you encounter while climbing... Examples include...
climbing a sheer or slippery cliff [ceiling], avoid hazards while
scaling, cling to a surface while something is trying to knock you
off. (PHB p. 175)







share|improve this answer



















  • 2




    FYI: some indirect evidence that moving across a ceiling should require ability checks comes from the Spider climb spell and you might consider referencing that: "The spider can climb difficult surfaces, including upside down on ceilings, without needing to make an ability check."
    – Rubiksmoose
    8 hours ago












  • Uh, where are you getting the ability to cross ceilings with climb, again? I don't see it referenced in your answer.
    – Chemus
    8 hours ago










  • @ Chemus Deductive reasoning I suppose. If a character wanted to traverse the underside of horizontal surface that had enough outcroppings to make such a feat possible, then it seems a climb check is appropriate. If a climb check is appropriate then the rules for applying it to the game are highlighted in my answer, the MM climb block quote, and guidance can be found in the PHB p.171 and 175.
    – Token
    8 hours ago








  • 3




    You should probably include some of the information in your comment on "traverse the horizontal surface that had enough outcroppings to make such a feat possible. That's a pretty important consideration to note and how such DM description of a ceiling may be a major factor in this.
    – NautArch
    8 hours ago






  • 3




    This is a good answer, however due to some small changes the question has changed slightly. Once this answer has been updated it'll likely be accepted.
    – L0neGamer
    6 hours ago

















up vote
5
down vote



accepted










A creature with a climb speed can climb across ceilings but not any better than a creature without a climb speed.



Per RAW, creatures with a climb speed only gain a benefit to climbing vertical surfaces as outlined in the MM.




Climb



A creature with a climbing speed can use all or part of its movement
to move on vertical surfaces (emphasis mine). The monster doesn't need to spend extra movement to climb. (MM p. 8)




Creatures with climb speeds do not explicitly gain any benefit to moving across ceilings, though any creature that could reasonably scale a ceiling may still do so. A creature spends 2 feet per 1 foot of its movement scaling a ceiling regardless of whether or not it has a climb speed.



If any character or creature has themselves, the capacity to scale the underside of a horizontal surface (i.e. ceiling), and if that surface has enough outcroppings or other characteristic that would make such a feat possible, then that creature can do so using the climb rules outlined in the PHB.




Climbing, Swimming, and Crawling



When climbing ..., each foot of movement costs 1 extra foot (2 in
difficult terrain, unless the creature has a climbing ... speed. (PHB p. 182)




It should also be noted that having a climbing speed does not necessarily exempt you from having to make athletics checks under duress or when failing a climb could have consequences. The following rules, per RAW, still apply.




Ability Checks



... The DM calls for an ability check when a character or monster
attempts an action ... that has a chance of failure. (PHB p. 171)




and




Using Each Ability



Strength Checks



Athletics. Your Strength (Athletics) check covers difficult situations you encounter while climbing... Examples include...
climbing a sheer or slippery cliff [ceiling], avoid hazards while
scaling, cling to a surface while something is trying to knock you
off. (PHB p. 175)







share|improve this answer



















  • 2




    FYI: some indirect evidence that moving across a ceiling should require ability checks comes from the Spider climb spell and you might consider referencing that: "The spider can climb difficult surfaces, including upside down on ceilings, without needing to make an ability check."
    – Rubiksmoose
    8 hours ago












  • Uh, where are you getting the ability to cross ceilings with climb, again? I don't see it referenced in your answer.
    – Chemus
    8 hours ago










  • @ Chemus Deductive reasoning I suppose. If a character wanted to traverse the underside of horizontal surface that had enough outcroppings to make such a feat possible, then it seems a climb check is appropriate. If a climb check is appropriate then the rules for applying it to the game are highlighted in my answer, the MM climb block quote, and guidance can be found in the PHB p.171 and 175.
    – Token
    8 hours ago








  • 3




    You should probably include some of the information in your comment on "traverse the horizontal surface that had enough outcroppings to make such a feat possible. That's a pretty important consideration to note and how such DM description of a ceiling may be a major factor in this.
    – NautArch
    8 hours ago






  • 3




    This is a good answer, however due to some small changes the question has changed slightly. Once this answer has been updated it'll likely be accepted.
    – L0neGamer
    6 hours ago















up vote
5
down vote



accepted







up vote
5
down vote



accepted






A creature with a climb speed can climb across ceilings but not any better than a creature without a climb speed.



Per RAW, creatures with a climb speed only gain a benefit to climbing vertical surfaces as outlined in the MM.




Climb



A creature with a climbing speed can use all or part of its movement
to move on vertical surfaces (emphasis mine). The monster doesn't need to spend extra movement to climb. (MM p. 8)




Creatures with climb speeds do not explicitly gain any benefit to moving across ceilings, though any creature that could reasonably scale a ceiling may still do so. A creature spends 2 feet per 1 foot of its movement scaling a ceiling regardless of whether or not it has a climb speed.



If any character or creature has themselves, the capacity to scale the underside of a horizontal surface (i.e. ceiling), and if that surface has enough outcroppings or other characteristic that would make such a feat possible, then that creature can do so using the climb rules outlined in the PHB.




Climbing, Swimming, and Crawling



When climbing ..., each foot of movement costs 1 extra foot (2 in
difficult terrain, unless the creature has a climbing ... speed. (PHB p. 182)




It should also be noted that having a climbing speed does not necessarily exempt you from having to make athletics checks under duress or when failing a climb could have consequences. The following rules, per RAW, still apply.




Ability Checks



... The DM calls for an ability check when a character or monster
attempts an action ... that has a chance of failure. (PHB p. 171)




and




Using Each Ability



Strength Checks



Athletics. Your Strength (Athletics) check covers difficult situations you encounter while climbing... Examples include...
climbing a sheer or slippery cliff [ceiling], avoid hazards while
scaling, cling to a surface while something is trying to knock you
off. (PHB p. 175)







share|improve this answer














A creature with a climb speed can climb across ceilings but not any better than a creature without a climb speed.



Per RAW, creatures with a climb speed only gain a benefit to climbing vertical surfaces as outlined in the MM.




Climb



A creature with a climbing speed can use all or part of its movement
to move on vertical surfaces (emphasis mine). The monster doesn't need to spend extra movement to climb. (MM p. 8)




Creatures with climb speeds do not explicitly gain any benefit to moving across ceilings, though any creature that could reasonably scale a ceiling may still do so. A creature spends 2 feet per 1 foot of its movement scaling a ceiling regardless of whether or not it has a climb speed.



If any character or creature has themselves, the capacity to scale the underside of a horizontal surface (i.e. ceiling), and if that surface has enough outcroppings or other characteristic that would make such a feat possible, then that creature can do so using the climb rules outlined in the PHB.




Climbing, Swimming, and Crawling



When climbing ..., each foot of movement costs 1 extra foot (2 in
difficult terrain, unless the creature has a climbing ... speed. (PHB p. 182)




It should also be noted that having a climbing speed does not necessarily exempt you from having to make athletics checks under duress or when failing a climb could have consequences. The following rules, per RAW, still apply.




Ability Checks



... The DM calls for an ability check when a character or monster
attempts an action ... that has a chance of failure. (PHB p. 171)




and




Using Each Ability



Strength Checks



Athletics. Your Strength (Athletics) check covers difficult situations you encounter while climbing... Examples include...
climbing a sheer or slippery cliff [ceiling], avoid hazards while
scaling, cling to a surface while something is trying to knock you
off. (PHB p. 175)








share|improve this answer














share|improve this answer



share|improve this answer








edited 5 hours ago

























answered 9 hours ago









Token

3306




3306








  • 2




    FYI: some indirect evidence that moving across a ceiling should require ability checks comes from the Spider climb spell and you might consider referencing that: "The spider can climb difficult surfaces, including upside down on ceilings, without needing to make an ability check."
    – Rubiksmoose
    8 hours ago












  • Uh, where are you getting the ability to cross ceilings with climb, again? I don't see it referenced in your answer.
    – Chemus
    8 hours ago










  • @ Chemus Deductive reasoning I suppose. If a character wanted to traverse the underside of horizontal surface that had enough outcroppings to make such a feat possible, then it seems a climb check is appropriate. If a climb check is appropriate then the rules for applying it to the game are highlighted in my answer, the MM climb block quote, and guidance can be found in the PHB p.171 and 175.
    – Token
    8 hours ago








  • 3




    You should probably include some of the information in your comment on "traverse the horizontal surface that had enough outcroppings to make such a feat possible. That's a pretty important consideration to note and how such DM description of a ceiling may be a major factor in this.
    – NautArch
    8 hours ago






  • 3




    This is a good answer, however due to some small changes the question has changed slightly. Once this answer has been updated it'll likely be accepted.
    – L0neGamer
    6 hours ago
















  • 2




    FYI: some indirect evidence that moving across a ceiling should require ability checks comes from the Spider climb spell and you might consider referencing that: "The spider can climb difficult surfaces, including upside down on ceilings, without needing to make an ability check."
    – Rubiksmoose
    8 hours ago












  • Uh, where are you getting the ability to cross ceilings with climb, again? I don't see it referenced in your answer.
    – Chemus
    8 hours ago










  • @ Chemus Deductive reasoning I suppose. If a character wanted to traverse the underside of horizontal surface that had enough outcroppings to make such a feat possible, then it seems a climb check is appropriate. If a climb check is appropriate then the rules for applying it to the game are highlighted in my answer, the MM climb block quote, and guidance can be found in the PHB p.171 and 175.
    – Token
    8 hours ago








  • 3




    You should probably include some of the information in your comment on "traverse the horizontal surface that had enough outcroppings to make such a feat possible. That's a pretty important consideration to note and how such DM description of a ceiling may be a major factor in this.
    – NautArch
    8 hours ago






  • 3




    This is a good answer, however due to some small changes the question has changed slightly. Once this answer has been updated it'll likely be accepted.
    – L0neGamer
    6 hours ago










2




2




FYI: some indirect evidence that moving across a ceiling should require ability checks comes from the Spider climb spell and you might consider referencing that: "The spider can climb difficult surfaces, including upside down on ceilings, without needing to make an ability check."
– Rubiksmoose
8 hours ago






FYI: some indirect evidence that moving across a ceiling should require ability checks comes from the Spider climb spell and you might consider referencing that: "The spider can climb difficult surfaces, including upside down on ceilings, without needing to make an ability check."
– Rubiksmoose
8 hours ago














Uh, where are you getting the ability to cross ceilings with climb, again? I don't see it referenced in your answer.
– Chemus
8 hours ago




Uh, where are you getting the ability to cross ceilings with climb, again? I don't see it referenced in your answer.
– Chemus
8 hours ago












@ Chemus Deductive reasoning I suppose. If a character wanted to traverse the underside of horizontal surface that had enough outcroppings to make such a feat possible, then it seems a climb check is appropriate. If a climb check is appropriate then the rules for applying it to the game are highlighted in my answer, the MM climb block quote, and guidance can be found in the PHB p.171 and 175.
– Token
8 hours ago






@ Chemus Deductive reasoning I suppose. If a character wanted to traverse the underside of horizontal surface that had enough outcroppings to make such a feat possible, then it seems a climb check is appropriate. If a climb check is appropriate then the rules for applying it to the game are highlighted in my answer, the MM climb block quote, and guidance can be found in the PHB p.171 and 175.
– Token
8 hours ago






3




3




You should probably include some of the information in your comment on "traverse the horizontal surface that had enough outcroppings to make such a feat possible. That's a pretty important consideration to note and how such DM description of a ceiling may be a major factor in this.
– NautArch
8 hours ago




You should probably include some of the information in your comment on "traverse the horizontal surface that had enough outcroppings to make such a feat possible. That's a pretty important consideration to note and how such DM description of a ceiling may be a major factor in this.
– NautArch
8 hours ago




3




3




This is a good answer, however due to some small changes the question has changed slightly. Once this answer has been updated it'll likely be accepted.
– L0neGamer
6 hours ago






This is a good answer, however due to some small changes the question has changed slightly. Once this answer has been updated it'll likely be accepted.
– L0neGamer
6 hours ago














up vote
3
down vote













I'm not sure precisely what you're asking here.



Can you hang from or cross the ceiling?



Any creature, climb speed or not, can potentially grab onto a ceiling feature and hang from it. If the ceiling is covered in vines, carvings, rafters, or has some other potential handholds, it's up to the DM to determine whether the handholds can support your weight, and what roll (if any) is needed to maintain a grip and/or move across the surface hand-over-hand.



While most of the climbing rules talk about 'vertical' surfaces, it's pretty clear from our normal understanding of the world that an action like this would still constitute climbing and be subject to all the rules that relate to that, such as increased movement cost and requiring an Athletics roll if the surface is challenging. A climb speed operates as usual in this case, allowing you to ignore the cost increase and potentially not make rolls.



(As examples, I would think that crossing from something like playground 'monkey bars' would not require a check, or only a minimal DC, while more difficult surfaces, such as a vine-covered ceiling or going from stalactite to stalactite, would be far more difficult.)



Can you hang from or climb across a smooth ceiling that lacks handholds or other similar features?



Probably not, unless the source of your climb speed (or some other rule) specifically says you can.



For example, the spider climb spell says




one willing creature you touch gains the ability to move up, down, and across vertical surfaces and upside down along ceilings




Similarly, the spiders in the Monster Manual share an ability called (again) Spider Climb, which reads:




The spider can climb difficult surfaces, including upside down on ceilings, without needing to make an ability check.




A Simic Hybrid's climb speed (if I recall correctly) is just a climb speed that doesn't include a spider-climb-like clause, so it would not allow you to cross a ceiling without something to hold onto.






share|improve this answer























  • OP clarified and simplified their question. May want to revisit.
    – NautArch
    5 hours ago















up vote
3
down vote













I'm not sure precisely what you're asking here.



Can you hang from or cross the ceiling?



Any creature, climb speed or not, can potentially grab onto a ceiling feature and hang from it. If the ceiling is covered in vines, carvings, rafters, or has some other potential handholds, it's up to the DM to determine whether the handholds can support your weight, and what roll (if any) is needed to maintain a grip and/or move across the surface hand-over-hand.



While most of the climbing rules talk about 'vertical' surfaces, it's pretty clear from our normal understanding of the world that an action like this would still constitute climbing and be subject to all the rules that relate to that, such as increased movement cost and requiring an Athletics roll if the surface is challenging. A climb speed operates as usual in this case, allowing you to ignore the cost increase and potentially not make rolls.



(As examples, I would think that crossing from something like playground 'monkey bars' would not require a check, or only a minimal DC, while more difficult surfaces, such as a vine-covered ceiling or going from stalactite to stalactite, would be far more difficult.)



Can you hang from or climb across a smooth ceiling that lacks handholds or other similar features?



Probably not, unless the source of your climb speed (or some other rule) specifically says you can.



For example, the spider climb spell says




one willing creature you touch gains the ability to move up, down, and across vertical surfaces and upside down along ceilings




Similarly, the spiders in the Monster Manual share an ability called (again) Spider Climb, which reads:




The spider can climb difficult surfaces, including upside down on ceilings, without needing to make an ability check.




A Simic Hybrid's climb speed (if I recall correctly) is just a climb speed that doesn't include a spider-climb-like clause, so it would not allow you to cross a ceiling without something to hold onto.






share|improve this answer























  • OP clarified and simplified their question. May want to revisit.
    – NautArch
    5 hours ago













up vote
3
down vote










up vote
3
down vote









I'm not sure precisely what you're asking here.



Can you hang from or cross the ceiling?



Any creature, climb speed or not, can potentially grab onto a ceiling feature and hang from it. If the ceiling is covered in vines, carvings, rafters, or has some other potential handholds, it's up to the DM to determine whether the handholds can support your weight, and what roll (if any) is needed to maintain a grip and/or move across the surface hand-over-hand.



While most of the climbing rules talk about 'vertical' surfaces, it's pretty clear from our normal understanding of the world that an action like this would still constitute climbing and be subject to all the rules that relate to that, such as increased movement cost and requiring an Athletics roll if the surface is challenging. A climb speed operates as usual in this case, allowing you to ignore the cost increase and potentially not make rolls.



(As examples, I would think that crossing from something like playground 'monkey bars' would not require a check, or only a minimal DC, while more difficult surfaces, such as a vine-covered ceiling or going from stalactite to stalactite, would be far more difficult.)



Can you hang from or climb across a smooth ceiling that lacks handholds or other similar features?



Probably not, unless the source of your climb speed (or some other rule) specifically says you can.



For example, the spider climb spell says




one willing creature you touch gains the ability to move up, down, and across vertical surfaces and upside down along ceilings




Similarly, the spiders in the Monster Manual share an ability called (again) Spider Climb, which reads:




The spider can climb difficult surfaces, including upside down on ceilings, without needing to make an ability check.




A Simic Hybrid's climb speed (if I recall correctly) is just a climb speed that doesn't include a spider-climb-like clause, so it would not allow you to cross a ceiling without something to hold onto.






share|improve this answer














I'm not sure precisely what you're asking here.



Can you hang from or cross the ceiling?



Any creature, climb speed or not, can potentially grab onto a ceiling feature and hang from it. If the ceiling is covered in vines, carvings, rafters, or has some other potential handholds, it's up to the DM to determine whether the handholds can support your weight, and what roll (if any) is needed to maintain a grip and/or move across the surface hand-over-hand.



While most of the climbing rules talk about 'vertical' surfaces, it's pretty clear from our normal understanding of the world that an action like this would still constitute climbing and be subject to all the rules that relate to that, such as increased movement cost and requiring an Athletics roll if the surface is challenging. A climb speed operates as usual in this case, allowing you to ignore the cost increase and potentially not make rolls.



(As examples, I would think that crossing from something like playground 'monkey bars' would not require a check, or only a minimal DC, while more difficult surfaces, such as a vine-covered ceiling or going from stalactite to stalactite, would be far more difficult.)



Can you hang from or climb across a smooth ceiling that lacks handholds or other similar features?



Probably not, unless the source of your climb speed (or some other rule) specifically says you can.



For example, the spider climb spell says




one willing creature you touch gains the ability to move up, down, and across vertical surfaces and upside down along ceilings




Similarly, the spiders in the Monster Manual share an ability called (again) Spider Climb, which reads:




The spider can climb difficult surfaces, including upside down on ceilings, without needing to make an ability check.




A Simic Hybrid's climb speed (if I recall correctly) is just a climb speed that doesn't include a spider-climb-like clause, so it would not allow you to cross a ceiling without something to hold onto.







share|improve this answer














share|improve this answer



share|improve this answer








edited 6 hours ago

























answered 6 hours ago









Darth Pseudonym

9,0842254




9,0842254












  • OP clarified and simplified their question. May want to revisit.
    – NautArch
    5 hours ago


















  • OP clarified and simplified their question. May want to revisit.
    – NautArch
    5 hours ago
















OP clarified and simplified their question. May want to revisit.
– NautArch
5 hours ago




OP clarified and simplified their question. May want to revisit.
– NautArch
5 hours ago










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