Compress Gravity 5e reshapes how dungeon masters model weight, movement, and environmental pressure in mid to high level play. By treating gravity as a tunable resource, this rule set adds tactical depth without breaking established encounter math.
Use this guide to understand core options, balance notes, and practical implementation tips for your next campaign.
| Variant | Gravity Strength | Movement Impact | Caster Level Scaling |
|---|---|---|---|
| Normal | 1.0× standard | No penalty to jumps or climb | Spell effects unchanged |
| Heavy | 1.5× standard | Disadvantage on long jump, climb speed halved | Concentration DC +2 for aerial buffs |
| Crushed | 2.0× standard | Speed reduced by 10 ft, prone on failed save | Spells targeting elevated creatures require cover |
| Micro | 0.5× standard | Reach weapons extend further, fall damage reduced | Concentration bonuses for small casters |
Core Rules and Scaling
This section translates classic physics into clear 5e language. Every mechanic below slots into existing rules without new dice or symbols, making adoption fast at the table.
Variant Gravity by Altitude
Treat every 100 feet of elevation change as a minor gravity gradient. Climbing upward imposes a cumulative -2 to Strength checks, while falling grants a +2 bonus to Athletics checks to brace on impact.
Object Interaction Under Load
Heavy objects require two hands to manipulate when gravity is set to Heavy or higher. Ranged siege weapons gain a damage boost on elevated platforms but suffer disadvantage to hit when firing downward into low gravity zones.
Encounter Design and Pacing
Adjusting gravity changes how encounters begin, escalate, and resolve. Use these guidelines to keep tension high without overwhelming players.
Mobility Based Challenges
Tight corridors, rope bridges, and crumbling ledges become more threatening. A reduced jump range and higher fall risk force creative positioning and spell selection.
Caster Economy Shifts
Flight spells cost more concentration slots under Heavy gravity, while area control spells that push enemies gain value. Design enemy mages with counterplay for these adjustments.
Balance, Math, and Difficulty
Tighter gravity tuning prevents party frustration and keeps boss fights fair. Track simple metrics like movement rate and save DC bonuses to maintain consistent challenge curves.
Action Economy Remap
Movement penalties can offset extra actions for martial characters, while casters may need higher level slots to achieve the same battlefield impact. Use short rest tracking to smooth spikes.
Advanced Variants and Long Term Play
Over multiple arcs, gravity becomes a narrative device rather than a constant setting. Plan milestones that reward mastery of variable environments.
- Define gravity zones on battlemaps for quick reference
- Track party adaptation with a simple readiness score
- Introduce hazards tied to pressure changes, such as collapsing terrain
- Reward creative use of spells that ignore or manipulate weight
- Use downtime to research gravity countermeasures and gear
FAQ
Reader questions
How do I apply Compress Gravity to an existing campaign?
Introduce gravity shifts as environmental modifiers using the table values, avoiding permanent changes until the group is comfortable.
What do I do when a player says the rules feel too fiddly?
Simplify by treating gravity tiers as binary conditions, either standard or modified, and skip altitude gradients until later tiers.
Are certain classes underpowered under Heavy gravity?
Rangers and Monks may struggle with mobility, while Bladesingers and Battlemasters often find nuanced ways to leverage terrain advantages.
Should I homebrew item costs for anti-gravity gear?
Set baseline prices using standard wondrous item guidelines, then add a modest premium for reliable gravity negation.