diff --git a/data/json/flags.json b/data/json/flags.json
index d270a0b6e9b41..f7590b315fc3f 100644
--- a/data/json/flags.json
+++ b/data/json/flags.json
@@ -1218,6 +1218,11 @@
     "type": "json_flag",
     "context": [  ]
   },
+  {
+    "id": "CRUTCHES",
+    "type": "json_flag",
+    "context": [  ]
+  },
   {
     "id": "CUSTOM_EXPLOSION",
     "type": "json_flag",
diff --git a/data/json/items/melee/bludgeons.json b/data/json/items/melee/bludgeons.json
index 7d6f391c00a16..4b10824004ffc 100644
--- a/data/json/items/melee/bludgeons.json
+++ b/data/json/items/melee/bludgeons.json
@@ -337,13 +337,32 @@
     "symbol": "/",
     "material": [ "wood", "aluminum" ],
     "techniques": [ "WBLOCK_1" ],
-    "flags": [ "NONCONDUCTIVE" ],
+    "flags": [ "NONCONDUCTIVE", "CRUTCHES" ],
     "volume": "1 L",
     "longest_side": "80 cm",
     "bashing": 10,
     "price": 16000,
     "price_postapoc": 100
   },
+  {
+    "id": "crutches",
+    "type": "GENERIC",
+    "symbol": "/",
+    "color": "dark_gray",
+    "name": { "str": "crutches", "str_pl": "pairs of crutches" },
+    "description": "A pair of crutches.",
+    "price": 2500,
+    "material": [ "aluminum" ],
+    "techniques": [ "WBLOCK_1", "SWEEP" ],
+    "flags": [ "CRUTCHES" ],
+    "weight": "2200 g",
+    "volume": "1500 ml",
+    "longest_side": "150 cm",
+    "bashing": 24,
+    "to_hit": 2,
+    "price_postapoc": 1250,
+    "category": "weapons"
+  },
   {
     "type": "GENERIC",
     "id": "cudgel",
diff --git a/data/json/move_modes.json b/data/json/move_modes.json
index e3cfd9bcda5b5..5fdf737e80844 100644
--- a/data/json/move_modes.json
+++ b/data/json/move_modes.json
@@ -52,5 +52,22 @@
     "sound_multiplier": 0.5,
     "move_speed_multiplier": 0.5,
     "swim_speed_mod": 50
+  },
+  {
+    "type": "movement_mode",
+    "id": "prone",
+    "character": "p",
+    "panel_char": "P",
+    "name": "prone",
+    "panel_color": "green",
+    "symbol_color": "blue",
+    "exertion_level": "NO_EXERCISE",
+    "change_good_none": "You lie down.",
+    "change_good_animal": "You stop your steed.",
+    "change_good_mech": "You turn off your mech's leg servos.",
+    "move_type": "prone",
+    "sound_multiplier": 0.2,
+    "move_speed_multiplier": 0.2,
+    "swim_speed_mod": 50
   }
 ]
diff --git a/src/action.h b/src/action.h
index b8db9c42cd158..9ae737a786658 100644
--- a/src/action.h
+++ b/src/action.h
@@ -66,6 +66,8 @@ enum action_id : int {
     ACTION_TOGGLE_RUN,
     /** Toggle crouch on/off */
     ACTION_TOGGLE_CROUCH,
+    /** Toggle lying down on/off */
+    ACTION_TOGGLE_PRONE,
     /** Open movement mode menu */
     ACTION_OPEN_MOVEMENT,
     /**@}*/
diff --git a/src/activity_actor.cpp b/src/activity_actor.cpp
index 318bd48f0c655..cad6a2d57d659 100644
--- a/src/activity_actor.cpp
+++ b/src/activity_actor.cpp
@@ -1587,10 +1587,12 @@ std::unique_ptr<activity_actor> consume_activity_actor::deserialize( JsonIn &jsi
     return actor.clone();
 }
 
-void try_sleep_activity_actor::start( player_activity &act, Character &/*who*/ )
+void try_sleep_activity_actor::start( player_activity &act, Character &who )
 {
     act.moves_total = to_moves<int>( duration );
     act.moves_left = act.moves_total;
+    who.set_movement_mode( move_mode_id( "prone" ) );
+    who.add_msg_if_player( _( "You lie down preparing to fall asleep." ) );
 }
 
 void try_sleep_activity_actor::do_turn( player_activity &act, Character &who )
@@ -1621,6 +1623,7 @@ void try_sleep_activity_actor::finish( player_activity &act, Character &who )
     if( !who.has_effect( effect_sleep ) ) {
         who.add_msg_if_player( _( "You try to sleep, but can't." ) );
     }
+    who.set_movement_mode( move_mode_id( "walk" ) );
 }
 
 void try_sleep_activity_actor::query_keep_trying( player_activity &act, Character &who )
diff --git a/src/avatar.cpp b/src/avatar.cpp
index 4e6fb1144db10..da87a48493382 100644
--- a/src/avatar.cpp
+++ b/src/avatar.cpp
@@ -1396,6 +1396,14 @@ void avatar::toggle_crouch_mode()
     }
 }
 
+void avatar::toggle_prone_mode()
+{
+    if( is_prone() ) {
+        set_movement_mode( move_mode_id( "walk" ) );
+    } else {
+        set_movement_mode( move_mode_id( "prone" ) );
+    }
+}
 void avatar::activate_crouch_mode()
 {
     if( !is_crouching() ) {
diff --git a/src/avatar.h b/src/avatar.h
index 7524228734f69..8131389dc1bda 100644
--- a/src/avatar.h
+++ b/src/avatar.h
@@ -226,6 +226,8 @@ class avatar : public player
         void toggle_run_mode();
         // Toggles crouching on/off.
         void toggle_crouch_mode();
+        // Toggles lying down on/off.
+        void toggle_prone_mode();
         // Activate crouch mode if not in crouch mode.
         void activate_crouch_mode();
 
diff --git a/src/avatar_action.cpp b/src/avatar_action.cpp
index ccc0986c6ffb7..2c8ebc48b6502 100644
--- a/src/avatar_action.cpp
+++ b/src/avatar_action.cpp
@@ -90,6 +90,15 @@ bool avatar_action::move( avatar &you, map &m, const tripoint &d )
         }
         return false;
     }
+
+    // If any leg broken without crutches and not already on the ground topple over
+    if( ( you.get_working_leg_count() < 2 && !you.weapon.has_flag( flag_CRUTCHES ) ) &&
+        !you.is_prone() ) {
+        you.set_movement_mode( move_mode_id( "prone" ) );
+        you.add_msg_if_player( m_bad,
+                               _( "Your broken legs can't hold your weight and you fall down in pain." ) );
+    }
+
     const bool is_riding = you.is_mounted();
     tripoint dest_loc;
     if( d.z == 0 && you.has_effect( effect_stunned ) ) {
diff --git a/src/character.cpp b/src/character.cpp
index 10f974a68b90c..829bc08341fd2 100644
--- a/src/character.cpp
+++ b/src/character.cpp
@@ -1031,7 +1031,8 @@ int Character::swim_speed() const
 
 bool Character::is_on_ground() const
 {
-    return get_working_leg_count() < 2 || has_effect( effect_downed );
+    return ( ( get_working_leg_count() < 2 && !weapon.has_flag( flag_CRUTCHES ) ) ) ||
+           has_effect( effect_downed ) || is_prone();
 }
 
 bool Character::can_stash( const item &it )
@@ -1898,6 +1899,11 @@ bool Character::is_crouching() const
     return move_mode->type() == move_mode_type::CROUCHING;
 }
 
+bool Character::is_prone() const
+{
+    return move_mode->type() == move_mode_type::PRONE;
+}
+
 steed_type Character::get_steed_type() const
 {
     steed_type steed;
@@ -9966,7 +9972,7 @@ void Character::on_hit( Creature *source, bodypart_id bp_hit,
             source->add_effect( effect_blind, 2_turns );
         }
     }
-    if( worn_with_flag( flag_REQUIRES_BALANCE ) && !has_effect( effect_downed ) ) {
+    if( worn_with_flag( flag_REQUIRES_BALANCE ) && !is_on_ground() ) {
         int rolls = 4;
         if( worn_with_flag( flag_ROLLER_ONE ) ) {
             rolls += 2;
diff --git a/src/character.h b/src/character.h
index 944f6a0ad8dbd..74155838959fd 100644
--- a/src/character.h
+++ b/src/character.h
@@ -583,7 +583,7 @@ class Character : public Creature, public visitable
         bool has_watch() const;
         /** Called after every action, invalidates player caches */
         void action_taken();
-        /** Returns true if the player is knocked over or has broken legs */
+        /** Returns true if the player is knocked over, has broken legs or is lying down */
         bool is_on_ground() const override;
         /** Returns the player's speed for swimming across water tiles */
         int  swim_speed() const;
@@ -711,6 +711,8 @@ class Character : public Creature, public visitable
         bool is_running() const;
         bool is_walking() const;
         bool is_crouching() const;
+        bool is_prone() const;
+
 
         bool can_switch_to( const move_mode_id &mode ) const;
         steed_type get_steed_type() const;
diff --git a/src/creature.cpp b/src/creature.cpp
index 569c8aea3bb79..7a99ce9a4c581 100644
--- a/src/creature.cpp
+++ b/src/creature.cpp
@@ -281,7 +281,7 @@ bool Creature::sees( const Creature &critter ) const
         return false;
     }
     if( ch != nullptr ) {
-        if( ch->is_crouching() ) {
+        if( ch->is_crouching() || ch->is_prone() ) {
             const int coverage = here.obstacle_coverage( pos(), critter.pos() );
             if( coverage < 30 ) {
                 return sees( critter.pos(), critter.is_avatar() ) && visible( ch );
@@ -306,7 +306,15 @@ bool Creature::sees( const Creature &critter ) const
                     debugmsg( "ERROR: Creature has invalid size class." );
                     break;
             }
-            const int vision_modifier = 30 - 0.5 * coverage * size_modifier;
+
+            int vision_modifier {0};
+
+            if( ch->is_crouching() ) {
+                vision_modifier = 30 - 0.5 * coverage * size_modifier;
+            } else if( ch->is_prone() ) {
+                vision_modifier = 30 - 0.9 * coverage * size_modifier;
+            }
+
             if( vision_modifier > 1 ) {
                 return sees( critter.pos(), critter.is_avatar(), vision_modifier ) && visible( ch );
             }
diff --git a/src/flag.cpp b/src/flag.cpp
index 5b5b68364f9c0..a47cc49de6716 100644
--- a/src/flag.cpp
+++ b/src/flag.cpp
@@ -63,6 +63,7 @@ const flag_id flag_CONDUCTIVE( "CONDUCTIVE" );
 const flag_id flag_CONSUMABLE( "CONSUMABLE" );
 const flag_id flag_COOKED( "COOKED" );
 const flag_id flag_CORPSE( "CORPSE" );
+const flag_id flag_CRUTCHES( "CRUTCHES" );
 const flag_id flag_CUSTOM_EXPLOSION( "CUSTOM_EXPLOSION" );
 const flag_id flag_CUT_IMMUNE( "CUT_IMMUNE" );
 const flag_id flag_DANGEROUS( "DANGEROUS" );
diff --git a/src/flag.h b/src/flag.h
index ce60d0a3f6580..1ea8902ee893c 100644
--- a/src/flag.h
+++ b/src/flag.h
@@ -70,6 +70,7 @@ extern const flag_id flag_CONDUCTIVE;
 extern const flag_id flag_CONSUMABLE;
 extern const flag_id flag_COOKED;
 extern const flag_id flag_CORPSE;
+extern const flag_id flag_CRUTCHES;
 extern const flag_id flag_CUSTOM_EXPLOSION;
 extern const flag_id flag_CUT_IMMUNE;
 extern const flag_id flag_DANGEROUS;
diff --git a/src/handle_action.cpp b/src/handle_action.cpp
index 91c7d1f8f2e8d..7fe207b6f538b 100644
--- a/src/handle_action.cpp
+++ b/src/handle_action.cpp
@@ -1783,6 +1783,10 @@ bool game::do_regular_action( action_id &act, avatar &player_character,
             player_character.toggle_crouch_mode();
             break;
 
+        case ACTION_TOGGLE_PRONE:
+            player_character.toggle_prone_mode();
+            break;
+
         case ACTION_OPEN_MOVEMENT:
             open_movement_mode_menu();
             break;
diff --git a/src/melee.cpp b/src/melee.cpp
index bece169ebf6f8..bc74c0280f504 100644
--- a/src/melee.cpp
+++ b/src/melee.cpp
@@ -487,6 +487,16 @@ bool Character::melee_attack_abstract( Creature &t, bool allow_special,
                                        const matec_id &force_technique,
                                        bool allow_unarmed )
 {
+    if( get_working_leg_count() < 2 ) {
+        if( !movement_mode_is( move_mode_id( "prone" ) ) ) {
+            add_msg_if_player( m_bad, _( "Your broken legs cannot hold you and you fall down." ) );
+            set_movement_mode( move_mode_id( "prone" ) );
+        } else if( is_on_ground() ) {
+            add_msg_if_player( m_warning, _( "You cannot fight while on the ground." ) );
+        }
+        return false;
+    }
+
     melee::melee_stats.attack_count += 1;
     int hit_spread = t.deal_melee_attack( this, hit_roll() );
     if( !t.is_player() ) {
diff --git a/src/move_mode.cpp b/src/move_mode.cpp
index c2375f65c64ee..b5f3826277e80 100644
--- a/src/move_mode.cpp
+++ b/src/move_mode.cpp
@@ -36,6 +36,7 @@ bool move_mode_id::is_valid() const
 }
 
 static const std::map<std::string, move_mode_type> move_types {
+    { "prone",     move_mode_type::PRONE },
     { "crouching", move_mode_type::CROUCHING },
     { "walking",   move_mode_type::WALKING },
     { "running",   move_mode_type::RUNNING }
diff --git a/src/move_mode.h b/src/move_mode.h
index a105247594038..bc6401eb28801 100644
--- a/src/move_mode.h
+++ b/src/move_mode.h
@@ -23,6 +23,7 @@ enum class steed_type : int {
 };
 
 enum class move_mode_type : int {
+    PRONE,
     CROUCHING,
     WALKING,
     RUNNING
diff --git a/src/player.cpp b/src/player.cpp
index 9765db5e56c1c..96b479e93a4d7 100644
--- a/src/player.cpp
+++ b/src/player.cpp
@@ -622,7 +622,7 @@ void player::pause()
     if( has_effect( effect_onfire ) ) {
         time_duration total_removed = 0_turns;
         time_duration total_left = 0_turns;
-        bool on_ground = has_effect( effect_downed );
+        bool on_ground = is_prone();
         for( const bodypart_id &bp : get_all_body_parts() ) {
             effect &eff = get_effect( effect_onfire, bp );
             if( eff.is_null() ) {