D&D 5E Levitate (enemy) vs Bink/Misty Step

[rgoodbb]

One of my players took Levitate (after watching a recent Critical Role episode with Mark Humes) and I think they may wish to try it out on an enemy.

My next big enemy is a warlock with both Blink (which they will definitely use) and also Misty Step (which they probably won't).

Trying to keep it simple (as combat is not for me) If my warlock fails the Con save, how do folks see the interactions?

My purpose here is simplicity in combat, but not to the detriment of the player

Thanks as usual for your thoughts, ideas and clarifications.

BB.

 

[jaelis]

I don't see any aspects of these spells that would invalidate each other. If you have been levitated and cast misty step, then you can teleport to a new location within 30 feet that you can see. That location could be on the ground if you aren't up too high. Afterwards you will still be under the effects of levitation. So on their next turn, the levitate caster could elevate you again.

I guess there is a question, if you misty step to the ground, could you move as normal? The levitate spell says you can only move as if climbing on a surface in reach, I'd say the floor would count for that just like a wall.

For blink, while you are blinked out the levitate spell is irrelevant. When you come back it will still be in effect. Here I guess it isn't obvious whether the levitate caster could change your elevation while you are ethereal. I'd say no, I'd rule they are effectively out of range while on a different plane.

Another question is if you teleport/move out of range, what happens? My read is that the spell continues but the caster can't change your elevation any more. But someone else might say that the spell ends.

 

[Smarmot]

Maybe the bink could lob a scimitar at your player's character

 

[rgoodbb]

Ah the python bink. Very good.

 

[Dausuul]

Looking at the details of those three spells...

• A levitated target with something to push/pull can move "as if it were climbing." That means half speed, even on the ground. This makes sense; we rely on gravity a lot when walking, even more when running.
• Like most spells, levitate persists even if the target moves out of range. Thus, levitate persists through blink.
• However, the caster can't move the target when out of range, and the Ethereal Plane is definitely out of range. So a blinked-out warlock cannot be moved up and down.
• On the other hand, the caster can ready an action to move the warlock as soon as they de-blink.
• Blink gives you ten feet of movement on returning. Thus, each blink effect lets the warlock get 10 feet closer to the ground. If the levitate caster uses the full 20 feet upon casting, that's two blink-moves to get down.
• Misty step can get the warlock to the ground, but they're still "climbing" at half speed. As a warlock player, that strikes me as a lousy use of one of the warlock's precious few slots.

Big picture, as far as mobility goes, levitate locks the warlock down a lot harder than blink and misty step free them up. That said, unless the warlock is a bladelock, they can be just as effective hanging in midair as moving around on the ground.

 

[Ristamar]

Some Sage Advice regarding levitation.

Levitation doesn't affect your ground speed, at least as it pertains to self castings:
https://www.sageadvice.eu/2016/11/1...f-can-they-still-walk-normally-on-the-ground/

Crawford infers that levitation or any other vertical movement would still invoke Opportunity Attacks:
https://www.sageadvice.eu/2017/01/0...st-levitate-on-myself-no-opportunity-attacks/

 

[5ekyu]

Some Sage Advice regarding levitation.

Levitation doesn't affect your ground speed, at least as it pertains to self castings:
https://www.sageadvice.eu/2016/11/1...f-can-they-still-walk-normally-on-the-ground/

Crawford infers that levitation or any other vertical movement would still invoke Opportunity Attacks:
https://www.sageadvice.eu/2017/01/0...st-levitate-on-myself-no-opportunity-attacks/

Actually the crawford thing focuses on moving yourself, your action, so i would presume the "not using ypur own move" would apply if levitating others and no OA.

 

[Eltab]

If I was the warlock and an enemy Levitated me, I would want to get back on the ground; I expect him to raise me up high then drop me for the damage … unless I can Misty Step to some low-ceilinged area where he can't levitate me up high enough to hurt me when I fall.

 

[jaelis]

If I was the warlock and an enemy Levitated me, I would want to get back on the ground; I expect him to raise me up high then drop me for the damage … unless I can Misty Step to some low-ceilinged area where he can't levitate me up high enough to hurt me when I fall.

“When the spell ends, the target floats gently to the ground if it is still aloft.”

 

[Ristamar]

Actually the crawford thing focuses on moving yourself, your action, so i would presume the "not using ypur own move" would apply if levitating others and no OA.

It wasn't my intent to imply otherwise.