Prone and flying

[Otterscrubber]

The errata states that if you are climbing or flying and get knocked prone you fall to the ground. What if you are prone and want to fly without standing up? In our last adventure we fought an Oni, knocked him prone and dazed him. Our DM had the Oni fly away as we were about to kill him. When our turn came around we remembered he was prone, but in the air. We argued that he was still "prone" so our rogue could still get his sneak attack damage.

But after reading this I'm thinking he perhaps should not have been able to fly away at all, but it's not clear. So here I am on the boards with the question: Does a flying creature have to stand or "un-prone" itself before it can fly?

 

[Mouseferatu]

While it's not 100%, I'd say that yes, the various rules combine to imply that you have to stand before you can fly.

Prone specifies that you are "lying on the ground." Crawl implies that it is the only type of move you can make while prone.

It's certainly up for debate--and thus, will be debated--but barring any change in phrasing from the errata (or the upcoming Essentials), that's how I'd rule it.

(Exception: I wouldn't enforce this for creatures that can hover.)

 

[Aulirophile]

Flying says "Walk, Run, or Charge" actions they can use their fly speed. You can't do any of those while prone.

Bear in mind in the official FAQ prone could just as easily be "disoriented" if you don't see the logic in something being prone (the example used is Gelatinous Cube). It takes a move action to shake it off.

 

[chitzk0i]

The prone condition states that you cannot move from your square except by crawling. Flying is not crawling, so you can't fly until you stand up.

 

[DracoSuave]

The prone condition states that you cannot move from your square except by crawling. Flying is not crawling, so you can't fly until you stand up.

This.

Plus, if you want to 'fly prone' then you'd fall immediately because you're prone.

So no point trying.

 

[webrunner]

This.

Plus, if you want to 'fly prone' then you'd fall immediately because you're prone.

So no point trying.

Unless you're Superman.

 

[DracoSuave]

Unless you're Superman.

Superman has a power that explicitly excepts the rules.

 

[TheClone]

Superman has a power that explicitly excepts the rules.

I though a powers very definition in 4e is to break or at least bend the rules.

And Superman never flies prone. He always charges! (As everyone would with all those powers)

 

[Shin Okada]

Superman is not a human. Maybe his posture while flying is his natural "not-prone" posture. When on the ground standing with 2-foots, he is effectively prone