D&D 3E/3.5 [3.5] A Great Wyrm Dragon with a Str of 1 can still fly?

[andargor]

Just an oddity in the rules:

Fly: A creature with a fly speed can move through the air at the indicated speed if carrying no more than a light load.

A Great Wyrm reduced to a Str of 1 could then still fly, unless it has more than 3 lbs. of equipment. Doesn't that sound a bit far-fetched?

Andargor

 

[Slobber Monster]

The idea of something with a dragon's dimensions flying by wing power is pretty far fetched to begin with. There's gotta be "magic" involved there anyways, even if its not magic by game definitions. If it violates your sensibilities then make a house rule.

 

[dcollins]

A Great Wyrm reduced to a Str of 1 could then still fly, unless it has more than 3 lbs. of equipment. Doesn't that sound a bit far-fetched?

For what it's worth, don't you still have to multiply be the size/shape factor? Which is either x12 (36 lb.) or x24 (72 lb.) limit.

 

[Lord Pendragon]

A Great Wyrm reduced to a Str of 1 could then still fly, unless it has more than 3 lbs. of equipment. Doesn't that sound a bit far-fetched?

Only if you consider a dragon's flight to be natural, i.e. conforming to basic physics. Personally, I consider dragon flight to be something like a "natural supernatural" ability. There's magic there, it's merely so subtle and ingrained in the creature that for game mechanical purposes, it's treated as natural.

As such, I have no problem at all with a strength 1 Great Wyrm still being able to fly. Though I wouldn't be shocked or upset over a DM that chose to rule otherwise, either.

 

[andargor]

For what it's worth, don't you still have to multiply be the size/shape factor? Which is either x12 (36 lb.) or x24 (72 lb.) limit.

Nitpicker.

Of course, you're correct (x12).

You could be incorrect once and a while, you know. Change is good.

Only if you consider a dragon's flight to be natural, i.e. conforming to basic physics. Personally, I consider dragon flight to be something like a "natural supernatural" ability. There's magic there, it's merely so subtle and ingrained in the creature that for game mechanical purposes, it's treated as natural.

I won't bring up antimagic field then.

Andargor

 

[Lord Pendragon]

I won't bring up antimagic field then.

The magic's too subtle to be affected by AMF. Already took it into account when I wrote my previous post.

 

[Plane Sailing]

Just an oddity in the rules:

A Great Wyrm reduced to a Str of 1 could then still fly, unless it has more than 3 lbs. of equipment. Doesn't that sound a bit far-fetched?

Yep, it sounds ridiculous. I think it was Hong who once eaid something like "don't think too much about D&D rules" and this is one of those genuine cases

 

[Marimmar@Home]

Consider the strength score to be the extra weight a creature can support in excess of its own body weight, not its absolute strength.
As far as the rules are concerned you could play a 50 lb. elf with a 12 stregth or an overweight human with 250 lb. weight with 12 strength. Both could lift and carry the same amount of gear above and beyond their own body weight. So I don't see why a weak dragon should be unable to fly.

~Marimmar

 

[Gez]

That's just like the troll's regeneration. Subtle magic.

 

[AuraSeer]

Consider the strength score to be the extra weight a creature can support in excess of its own body weight, not its absolute strength.

That's how I explain it too. It seems to be the only way that makes sense.

Strength 0 just means "not strong enough to support your own weight." A Colossal great wyrm reduced to 0 Str has a lot more raw muscle power than a human of 10 Str. However, the wyrm has to expend lots of energy just keeping his heart beating and his lungs working, and there's not enough left over to move his gigantic body.

Strength 1 means "strong enough to move your body, plus a tiny bit more." The great wyrm with 1 Str is by definition strong enough to lift his own weight, but only barely. He could carry a halfling aloft, but is too weakened to carry a full-sized human.