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
    Nov 29 at 18:56












  • 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
    Nov 29 at 20:52

















up vote
8
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
    Nov 29 at 18:56












  • 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
    Nov 29 at 20:52















up vote
8
down vote

favorite









up vote
8
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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edited Nov 29 at 21:34









KorvinStarmast

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asked Nov 29 at 18:24









L0neGamer

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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
    Nov 29 at 18:56












  • 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
    Nov 29 at 20:52




















  • 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
    Nov 29 at 18:56












  • 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
    Nov 29 at 20:52


















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
Nov 29 at 18:56






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
Nov 29 at 18:56














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
Nov 29 at 20:52






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
Nov 29 at 20:52












2 Answers
2






active

oldest

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up vote
9
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 (e.g. a ceiling), and if that surface has enough outcroppings or other characteristics 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, avoid hazards while
scaling, cling to a surface while something is trying to knock you
off. (PHB p. 175)







share|improve this answer



















  • 3




    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
    Nov 29 at 19:18








  • 1




    Uh, where are you getting the ability to cross ceilings with climb, again? I don't see it referenced in your answer.
    – Chemus
    Nov 29 at 19:19






  • 4




    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
    Nov 29 at 19:47






  • 4




    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
    Nov 29 at 21:03








  • 3




    I don't think it's reasonable to insert [ceiling] into the last quotation from the PHB: it's too easy to assume that you are quoting verbatim (despite your use of square brackets); and a ceiling is not equivalent to a sheer or slippery cliff - indeed that is the point of this whole question.
    – Clearly Toughpick
    Nov 30 at 11:34


















up vote
4
down vote













There are a couple parts to the question.



Can you cross the ceiling at all?



Any creature, climb speed or not, can potentially grab onto a ceiling feature and use it to cross a room. 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 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 movement cost increase.



(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 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.




So ultimately, in your case, it depends.



A Simic Hybrid's climb speed is just a climb speed (it doesn't include a spider-climb clause), so it would not allow you to cross a ceiling without something to hold onto. But if there is something to grip and swing from (which is up to the DM), your climb speed could potentially allow you to cross a ceiling without slowing down. You may still have to make ability checks to climb on a difficult surface; a climb speed doesn't remove that requirement.






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  • OP clarified and simplified their question. May want to revisit.
    – NautArch
    Nov 29 at 22:09










  • I did few tweaks but I think it's mostly still applicable.
    – Darth Pseudonym
    Nov 30 at 13:01











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2 Answers
2






active

oldest

votes








2 Answers
2






active

oldest

votes









active

oldest

votes






active

oldest

votes








up vote
9
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 (e.g. a ceiling), and if that surface has enough outcroppings or other characteristics 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, avoid hazards while
scaling, cling to a surface while something is trying to knock you
off. (PHB p. 175)







share|improve this answer



















  • 3




    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
    Nov 29 at 19:18








  • 1




    Uh, where are you getting the ability to cross ceilings with climb, again? I don't see it referenced in your answer.
    – Chemus
    Nov 29 at 19:19






  • 4




    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
    Nov 29 at 19:47






  • 4




    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
    Nov 29 at 21:03








  • 3




    I don't think it's reasonable to insert [ceiling] into the last quotation from the PHB: it's too easy to assume that you are quoting verbatim (despite your use of square brackets); and a ceiling is not equivalent to a sheer or slippery cliff - indeed that is the point of this whole question.
    – Clearly Toughpick
    Nov 30 at 11:34















up vote
9
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 (e.g. a ceiling), and if that surface has enough outcroppings or other characteristics 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, avoid hazards while
scaling, cling to a surface while something is trying to knock you
off. (PHB p. 175)







share|improve this answer



















  • 3




    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
    Nov 29 at 19:18








  • 1




    Uh, where are you getting the ability to cross ceilings with climb, again? I don't see it referenced in your answer.
    – Chemus
    Nov 29 at 19:19






  • 4




    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
    Nov 29 at 19:47






  • 4




    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
    Nov 29 at 21:03








  • 3




    I don't think it's reasonable to insert [ceiling] into the last quotation from the PHB: it's too easy to assume that you are quoting verbatim (despite your use of square brackets); and a ceiling is not equivalent to a sheer or slippery cliff - indeed that is the point of this whole question.
    – Clearly Toughpick
    Nov 30 at 11:34













up vote
9
down vote



accepted







up vote
9
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 (e.g. a ceiling), and if that surface has enough outcroppings or other characteristics 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, 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 (e.g. a ceiling), and if that surface has enough outcroppings or other characteristics 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, 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 Nov 30 at 16:17









Rubiksmoose

44.7k6224341




44.7k6224341










answered Nov 29 at 18:47









Token

3586




3586








  • 3




    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
    Nov 29 at 19:18








  • 1




    Uh, where are you getting the ability to cross ceilings with climb, again? I don't see it referenced in your answer.
    – Chemus
    Nov 29 at 19:19






  • 4




    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
    Nov 29 at 19:47






  • 4




    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
    Nov 29 at 21:03








  • 3




    I don't think it's reasonable to insert [ceiling] into the last quotation from the PHB: it's too easy to assume that you are quoting verbatim (despite your use of square brackets); and a ceiling is not equivalent to a sheer or slippery cliff - indeed that is the point of this whole question.
    – Clearly Toughpick
    Nov 30 at 11:34














  • 3




    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
    Nov 29 at 19:18








  • 1




    Uh, where are you getting the ability to cross ceilings with climb, again? I don't see it referenced in your answer.
    – Chemus
    Nov 29 at 19:19






  • 4




    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
    Nov 29 at 19:47






  • 4




    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
    Nov 29 at 21:03








  • 3




    I don't think it's reasonable to insert [ceiling] into the last quotation from the PHB: it's too easy to assume that you are quoting verbatim (despite your use of square brackets); and a ceiling is not equivalent to a sheer or slippery cliff - indeed that is the point of this whole question.
    – Clearly Toughpick
    Nov 30 at 11:34








3




3




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
Nov 29 at 19:18






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
Nov 29 at 19:18






1




1




Uh, where are you getting the ability to cross ceilings with climb, again? I don't see it referenced in your answer.
– Chemus
Nov 29 at 19:19




Uh, where are you getting the ability to cross ceilings with climb, again? I don't see it referenced in your answer.
– Chemus
Nov 29 at 19:19




4




4




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
Nov 29 at 19:47




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
Nov 29 at 19:47




4




4




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
Nov 29 at 21:03






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
Nov 29 at 21:03






3




3




I don't think it's reasonable to insert [ceiling] into the last quotation from the PHB: it's too easy to assume that you are quoting verbatim (despite your use of square brackets); and a ceiling is not equivalent to a sheer or slippery cliff - indeed that is the point of this whole question.
– Clearly Toughpick
Nov 30 at 11:34




I don't think it's reasonable to insert [ceiling] into the last quotation from the PHB: it's too easy to assume that you are quoting verbatim (despite your use of square brackets); and a ceiling is not equivalent to a sheer or slippery cliff - indeed that is the point of this whole question.
– Clearly Toughpick
Nov 30 at 11:34












up vote
4
down vote













There are a couple parts to the question.



Can you cross the ceiling at all?



Any creature, climb speed or not, can potentially grab onto a ceiling feature and use it to cross a room. 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 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 movement cost increase.



(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 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.




So ultimately, in your case, it depends.



A Simic Hybrid's climb speed is just a climb speed (it doesn't include a spider-climb clause), so it would not allow you to cross a ceiling without something to hold onto. But if there is something to grip and swing from (which is up to the DM), your climb speed could potentially allow you to cross a ceiling without slowing down. You may still have to make ability checks to climb on a difficult surface; a climb speed doesn't remove that requirement.






share|improve this answer























  • OP clarified and simplified their question. May want to revisit.
    – NautArch
    Nov 29 at 22:09










  • I did few tweaks but I think it's mostly still applicable.
    – Darth Pseudonym
    Nov 30 at 13:01















up vote
4
down vote













There are a couple parts to the question.



Can you cross the ceiling at all?



Any creature, climb speed or not, can potentially grab onto a ceiling feature and use it to cross a room. 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 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 movement cost increase.



(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 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.




So ultimately, in your case, it depends.



A Simic Hybrid's climb speed is just a climb speed (it doesn't include a spider-climb clause), so it would not allow you to cross a ceiling without something to hold onto. But if there is something to grip and swing from (which is up to the DM), your climb speed could potentially allow you to cross a ceiling without slowing down. You may still have to make ability checks to climb on a difficult surface; a climb speed doesn't remove that requirement.






share|improve this answer























  • OP clarified and simplified their question. May want to revisit.
    – NautArch
    Nov 29 at 22:09










  • I did few tweaks but I think it's mostly still applicable.
    – Darth Pseudonym
    Nov 30 at 13:01













up vote
4
down vote










up vote
4
down vote









There are a couple parts to the question.



Can you cross the ceiling at all?



Any creature, climb speed or not, can potentially grab onto a ceiling feature and use it to cross a room. 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 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 movement cost increase.



(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 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.




So ultimately, in your case, it depends.



A Simic Hybrid's climb speed is just a climb speed (it doesn't include a spider-climb clause), so it would not allow you to cross a ceiling without something to hold onto. But if there is something to grip and swing from (which is up to the DM), your climb speed could potentially allow you to cross a ceiling without slowing down. You may still have to make ability checks to climb on a difficult surface; a climb speed doesn't remove that requirement.






share|improve this answer














There are a couple parts to the question.



Can you cross the ceiling at all?



Any creature, climb speed or not, can potentially grab onto a ceiling feature and use it to cross a room. 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 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 movement cost increase.



(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 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.




So ultimately, in your case, it depends.



A Simic Hybrid's climb speed is just a climb speed (it doesn't include a spider-climb clause), so it would not allow you to cross a ceiling without something to hold onto. But if there is something to grip and swing from (which is up to the DM), your climb speed could potentially allow you to cross a ceiling without slowing down. You may still have to make ability checks to climb on a difficult surface; a climb speed doesn't remove that requirement.







share|improve this answer














share|improve this answer



share|improve this answer








edited Nov 30 at 13:00

























answered Nov 29 at 21:40









Darth Pseudonym

9,3242255




9,3242255












  • OP clarified and simplified their question. May want to revisit.
    – NautArch
    Nov 29 at 22:09










  • I did few tweaks but I think it's mostly still applicable.
    – Darth Pseudonym
    Nov 30 at 13:01


















  • OP clarified and simplified their question. May want to revisit.
    – NautArch
    Nov 29 at 22:09










  • I did few tweaks but I think it's mostly still applicable.
    – Darth Pseudonym
    Nov 30 at 13:01
















OP clarified and simplified their question. May want to revisit.
– NautArch
Nov 29 at 22:09




OP clarified and simplified their question. May want to revisit.
– NautArch
Nov 29 at 22:09












I did few tweaks but I think it's mostly still applicable.
– Darth Pseudonym
Nov 30 at 13:01




I did few tweaks but I think it's mostly still applicable.
– Darth Pseudonym
Nov 30 at 13:01










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