Sinkhole

HazardFRAiFp. 1352024

Sinkholes occur when sand fills the top half of a large cavity in rock or other hard earth. When a creature steps onto the sand, the ground collapses down into the bottom half of the cavity, injuring those caught in the sinkhole and leaving them stranded below the surface.

As a Search action, a creature can detect a sinkhole with a successful DC 15 Wisdom (Perception) check. Once a sinkhole is spotted, it can usually be avoided by moving around it.

A creature that walks onto a sinkhole must succeed on a DC 10 Dexterity check or fall 10 feet to the bottom of the sinkhole. A creature without a Climb Speed can climb out of the sinkhole with a successful DC 15 Strength (Athletics) check.

At Higher Levels

You can scale the hazard for higher levels by increasing the sinkhole's depth, as shown in the following table.

LevelsSinkhole Depth
5โ€“1030 feet
11โ€“1660 feet
17โ€“20120 feet
Raw data
{
  "name": "Sinkhole",
  "page": 135,
  "__prop": "hazard",
  "rating": [
    {
      "tier": 1,
      "threat": "nuisance"
    }
  ],
  "source": "FRAiF",
  "entries": [
    "Sinkholes occur when sand fills the top half of a large cavity in rock or other hard earth. When a creature steps onto the sand, the ground collapses down into the bottom half of the cavity, injuring those caught in the sinkhole and leaving them stranded below the surface.",
    "As a {@action Search|XPHB} action, a creature can detect a sinkhole with a successful {@dc 15} Wisdom ({@skill Perception|XPHB}) check. Once a sinkhole is spotted, it can usually be avoided by moving around it.",
    "A creature that walks onto a sinkhole must succeed on a {@dc 10} Dexterity check or fall 10 feet to the bottom of the sinkhole. A creature without a Climb Speed can climb out of the sinkhole with a successful {@dc 15} Strength ({@skill Athletics|XPHB}) check.",
    {
      "name": "At Higher Levels",
      "type": "entries",
      "entries": [
        "You can scale the hazard for higher levels by increasing the sinkhole's depth, as shown in the following table.",
        {
          "rows": [
            [
              "5โ€“10",
              "30 feet"
            ],
            [
              "11โ€“16",
              "60 feet"
            ],
            [
              "17โ€“20",
              "120 feet"
            ]
          ],
          "type": "table",
          "colLabels": [
            "Levels",
            "Sinkhole Depth"
          ],
          "colStyles": [
            "col-2 text-center",
            "col-10"
          ]
        }
      ]
    }
  ]
}