Charging over lava

[Yesan]

ok quick question, if a transformed PC transforms into a brown bear and charges an enemy is the charge allowed if they have to jump over an obstacle ie. a lava pit? Also if the opponents are lined as is such is the charge allowed A -> B?
a - - - - -
- - - - - -
- - - - - b

SRD:
You must have a clear path toward the opponent, and nothing can hinder your movement (such as difficult terrain or obstacles). Here’s what it means to have a clear path. First, you must move to the closest space from which you can attack the opponent. (If this space is occupied or otherwise blocked, you can’t charge.) Second, if any line from your starting space to the ending space passes through a square that blocks movement, slows movement, or contains a creature (even an ally), you can’t charge. (Helpless creatures don’t stop a charge.)

 

[Piratecat]

Nope, you can't jump on a charge... and if lava isn't difficult terrain, I don't know what is.

 

[Yesan]

proofs in the pudding?

Ok is there some precendence that i can site to prove that jumping is not allowed on a charge? I am having a devil of a time trying to prove this fact even tho ive quoted the PHB and SRD exactly. any help would again be much appreciated.

 

[ConspiracyAngel]

Ok is there some precendence that i can site to prove that jumping is not allowed on a charge? I am having a devil of a time trying to prove this fact even tho ive quoted the PHB and SRD exactly. any help would again be much appreciated.

PHB v3.5 page 148 Under Terrain and Obstacles... under Difficult Terrain bottom of paragraph "You can't run or charge across difficult terrain."

 

[Gnimish88]

Charging is a full round action. You can't take anything else but free actions during the same turn.

Personally, I don't think allowing jumps as part of a charge is too big a deal and fits well with a high fantasy games.

Think of the visuals, man!

 

[HeavyG]

Nope, you can't jump on a charge...

As rules-correct as this answer is, I can't help thinking that it's not a good rule. As long as the jump was in the same direction as the rest of the move, I wouldn't have a problem with it, personally.

 

[Yesan]

ok, yes the idea of a jump during a charge would be cool, and i could see it at the end of the charge say you jump up 10' and come down with a smashing blow on your enemy, but if you have to jump over lava and then run a bit further to get to your opponent come on thats stretching the rule a bit too far i think.

 

[Liquidsabre]

Unfortunately a jumping arc isn't the most direct route to your opponent. The most direct route lies across, ahem, "difficult" terrain. Nothing wrong with a move (a jump as part of the move) followed by an attack on your opponent. Who needs -2 AC anyway?

 

[Wolffenjugend]

I think you also need to consider how far the jump is. I can picture a small jump over 5 feet during a charge but not a 25 foot jump...

 

[Theocrat]

Isn't Lava Hot?

Hi all-
Whether or not you have a clear path, can jump or whatever else, Lava is hot. About 2,000 'F. So although a Brown Bear can likely make a jump over a pit (hopefully not too big), standing too close will cause pain. Yeah, people visit Hawaii and hang out near the lava, but that is the cooled areas. But if the party were fighting lava dudes near the flow, I think it would be too hot.
Hope I didn't spoil your fun!