D&D 5E Can you use misty step to arrest a fall?

[LordEntrails]

Yes, and the 20ft of falling counts against your movement.

Now the challenge is, what happens if you run out of movement during a fall?

 

[Weiley31]

The Rule of Cool compels me to allow this to happen as a DM.

 

[doctorbadwolf]

Yes, you can do it. Yes, you'll take 2d6 damage for the 20ft falling not covered by misty step.

Why? Obviously I can choose the alignment of the exit of my teleportation. If I've fallen 20ft, and I come out aimed upward at a 45 degree angle, I can't imagine taking more than a single d6, at most.

 

[doctorbadwolf]

In my games, the teleporter generally gets to choose whether their momentum is preserved.

 

[Ancalagon]

if momentum is not conserved, teleportation spells would be lethal, as we are currently moving at VERY high speed around the sun etc.

 

[RangerWickett]

I recall in 3.5 making a psychic who could teleport a short distance as a swift action (or was it called a minor action then?), which my GM let me use once to stand up and avoid an AoO. How? Well, if you fell, you could make a Tumble check to land on your feet and negate falling damage, so I went from prone on the ground, teleported 10 feet up, made my check, and landed on my feet.

 

[Hawk Diesel]

I like @doctorbadwolf 's position where the caster decides if momentum is conserved or not. I would also say that since this is essentially using a 2nd level spell slot for a worse featherfall (since it only effects you), then I don't mind increasing the utility of Misty Step in this way.

 

[doctorbadwolf]

I like @doctorbadwolf 's position where the caster decides if momentum is conserved or not. I would also say that since this is essentially using a 2nd level spell slot for a worse featherfall (since it only effects you), then I don't mind increasing the utility of Misty Step in this way.

Exactly. In my group, the number one rule is "don't let rules hold back the game".

 

[UngainlyTitan]

if momentum is not conserved, teleportation spells would be lethal, as we are currently moving at VERY high speed around the sun etc.

And if momentum is conserved then a teleportation linear accelerator planet killer system is also possible.
I would allow the OP maneuver because it is cool. Don't allow it if you want but leave real world physics out of it. That way leads math, madness and corner cases.
D&D magic is not compatible with real world physics.

 

[jgsugden]

This falls into a zone where madness lies. Option 1: 5d6 damage (full fall). Option 2: 2d6 damage (20 foot fall). Option 3: 0 damage (no fall). If you try to figure out which is right, you have to start applying "physics" to magic, and that is inherently going to result in contradictions, disagreements and frustration. Accordingly, I usually avoid this by turning to the dice.

Tim: "I jump off the cliff, and once I fall 20 feet I Misty Step to the ground. Will I take damage from that? If so, how much?"
DM: "You're normally going to take 2d6 from the 20 feet of falling, but you could try to adjust the Misty Step spell as you cast it to arrest the momentum. If you get it right, you'll take no damage. If it is a little wrong you'll still take 2d6. If you botch it, you may end up taking 5d6. It is a pretty hard trick to pull off. It would be an Arcana roll."
Tim: "I'll go for it. Ouch. Natural one for a 7."
DM: "You're timing is off and you smash into the ground full force, taking the full 5d6 for ...14 damage."

... or ...

Tim: "I'll go for it. Nat 20 for a 26!"
DM: "You time it perfectly and manage to arrest your momentum as part of the spell. You hit the ground on your feet. You can do a Black WIdow or Iron Man Super hero landing if you'd like."
Tim: "Widow. I'm a poser, eh?"