D&D 5e Chase Tool Calculator
Use this for chases in 5th edition Dungeons and Dragons. A chase can occur whenever someone decides to flee from combat or as part of the narrative. Instructions.
| Name | Initiative | Distance | Dashes / Max (3+Con Mod) | Exhaustion | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 👑 | / | / 5 |
Complications
Roll for complications after every turn, they affect the creature next in initiative. Can use inspiration to negate.
Urban Complication:
A large obstacle such as a horse or cart blocks your way. Make a DC 15 Dexterity (Acrobatics) check to get past the obstacle. On a failed check, the obstacle counts as 10 feet of difficult terrain.
Wilderness Complication:
You run into a brawl in progress. Make a DC 15 Strength (Athletics), Dexterity (Acrobatics), or Charisma (Intimidation) check (your choice) to get past the brawlers unimpeded. On a failed check, you take 2d4 (5) bludgeoning damage, and the brawlers count as 10 feet of difficult terrain.
Generic Complication:
You come upon a hostile creature. Make a DC 10 Dexterity (Acrobatics) check to get through unimpeded. On a failed check, you are bitten and take 1d4 (2) piercing damage, and the creature counts as 5 feet of difficult terrain.
Instructions
This uses the rules on page 252 of the DMG. Add all your creatures and roll initiative. Set the distance for the quarries to 0 and determine the distance of the pursuers to the nearest quarry, the lowest value will be the lead (marked with crown). Take turns with 1 move+action each, tracking dashes and exhaustion (no opportunity attacks). Reroll and consult complications based on biome each turn.
Creatures can make 3+Con mod Dash actions for free, each additional is a DC 10 con save or +1 exhaustion. A creature loses at 5 exhaustion, restored on short rest.
Each quarry makes a stealth check at the end of each round (after everyone has gone) vs the highest passive perception if they're not in direct line of sight of the closest pursuer. If their stealth check passes, they escape.
Stealth check gains advantage if there are many things to hide behind, are in a crowded or noisy area, etc. Disadvantage if there are few things to hide behind, uncrowded or quiet, the lead pursuer is a ranger or has proficiency in survival, etc.
Variant: Older editions of D&D allowed you to drop coins/gems to stop intelligent enemies from pursuing, or meat for unintelligent/hungry creatures. If you like, you can include this as an optional rule in 5th edition. During a chase, a PC can empty out a pouch (or other container) of coins onto the ground as they're fleeing. A pouch can hold 300 coins, so 300 random coins are lost. The pursuers then have a 50% chance of stopping to collect the coins, ending their pursuit.
Need more help with your campaign? Check out all the other tools, generators, and articles: kassoon.com/dnd/
Shout outs: Stacey, Mario Pizzamiglio, Eric Schreeck, Ben-Jam-in, Phil Mehl, Wesley Muncy, elijah D. maben, R., bruschkin, Vincent Drone, thea musing, Brian Nunziato, Matt Yates, Elisa Martinez, Ryan Flagg, Jade Arrowood, Angelo Anderson, Syn21, Dave Walker, Rhonda Seiter, Jonathan Lekse, Katie White, JollyGamer, Tiernan Greenman, Burlyfighter, Gillian Tolbert, David R Abbott, Rick Marsh, Brittany DeNicholas, Phillip Hash, Amanda Kettles, Lou Bliss, Pythor Sen, Bryson Waits, Desedent, Michael Isberg, Nat, Thomas Wilhelm, Krueger82, Irate The Pirate, Mark L, Conall Reilly, Cam Largent, Siren, AstroLass, Lizzie, Michael Hamilton, Vedie V, Mylon Schroder, Nathan, Jordan Florez, Robert Rich, Rodney O'Dell, Robin Ellis-Foster, Jess, Lars Yell, Zee Livezey, Kevin, Kerry Melton, Mary Kieser, SallySparrow132, Naomi B, J, Millergendraft, Federica Frezza, Nick Soucy, Ellen Mitchell, Melanie Warga, Jeremiah Walker, Bryan Sheairs, Bryan Kempka, chris wilson, Max Hops, Sarah Holland, Joshua David Maddox, Jennifer Smith, Liz Fontain, Ray Bissonnette, Joe Dalby, Joline Tran, Matt Price, Nicholas Zamora, ShortyMcgibble, Mr. Vinclair, mtnman1979@aol.com, KFB_Patreon, eric sun, Kayleigh Sulin, Dani, Gundar Wez, Nahellion, Nicholas Hanke, bilbens baggo, Stuart, Brysen Packer, Maxwell Mayer, Gannon Dubay, Thobek, Aaron Teupe, Mage1X, XMrMonkyx ., Miss Zilla M, Jordan Brazeal, Kyle Clark, Jake Lane, Adam Ruiz, Phillip P Torchia, Stefan Gottschalk's, Remora Jewel, Alex Harford (VA7OMM), jeremy baisch, Daniel Edwards, Zealot23, Shane Andrews, Brandon Mußiq, CJMAXP, Lisa Tucker, KingHavok1217, Mx Charlie, Justin Snyder, Zachary Burgess-Hicks, Shazear, Steve Rosenlund, Ezzela1891, John Nazario, Gordon Alexander Fallon, Jason Clark, Trey Vickory
Their contribution stands as a beacon of hope for all adventurers!
