fly-by-attack

[plaster]

I have a wizard with the Improved Familar Feat. I decided to go with an air elemental as I want to go for the Elemental Sevant Prestige Class eventually. The air element has a Fly By Attack. Does this attack provoke an attack of opertunity? The DMG doesn't say anything, but I remember reading somewhere that it doesn't.

 

[Artoomis]

I have a wizard with the Improved Familar Feat. I decided to go with an air elemental as I want to go for the Elemental Sevant Prestige Class eventually. The air element has a Fly By Attack. Does this attack provoke an attack of opertunity? The DMG doesn't say anything, but I remember reading somewhere that it doesn't.

It most certainly does. Spring Attack can be used flying, though. Also, CW (I think) has an Improved Flyby Attack feat (the name could be wrong) that allows for no AoO, but it requires both Dodge and Mobility, IIRC.

 

[Darklone]

The advantage for Flyby attack though: You can cast a spell in mid-air and flap back into cover.

 

[Artoomis]

The advantage for Flyby attack though: You can cast a spell in mid-air and flap back into cover.

Right. You get to use any standard action with your split-move, as opposed to the Spring Attack restriction of a melee attack only.

 

[Tatsukun]

Also, it means that it's possible to attack (or do anything at all really) without hovering. I had a wizard polymorph into an bird once and I couldn't stop flying or I'd drop like a rock. Had to take a double move every round.

Oh, and people are right, it doesn't stop At Op's.

-Tatsu

 

[jgsugden]

Flyby as an attack is best for large creatures that can attack a foe without entering the spaces that the foe threatens. For instance, a huge dragon may get a lot of benefit out of flying in and attack a medium sized foe from three spaces away and then flying off. Giving the ability to small creatures with no spell-like or spell abilities is a bit of a waste ...

That being said, your familiar can do all sorts of interesting things during the middle of his movement. He could, for instance, move to a door, close it and then move away. This may not sound too exciting, but it can be very useful if you happen to be readying a fireball for when the enemy burst through the doorway and you don't want them to see it coming ... Basically, the ability allows him to go someplace, do something and then duck back into cover and minimize his risk.

 

[plaster]

Good to know

Flyby as an attack is best for large creatures that can attack a foe without entering the spaces that the foe threatens. For instance, a huge dragon may get a lot of benefit out of flying in and attack a medium sized foe from three spaces away and then flying off. Giving the ability to small creatures with no spell-like or spell abilities is a bit of a waste ...

That being said, your familiar can do all sorts of interesting things during the middle of his movement. He could, for instance, move to a door, close it and then move away. This may not sound too exciting, but it can be very useful if you happen to be readying a fireball for when the enemy burst through the doorway and you don't want them to see it coming ... Basically, the ability allows him to go someplace, do something and then duck back into cover and minimize his risk.

That's good to know. I was hoping to use the familar to deliver my touch attacks (aka shocking grasp) without too much risk, but he only has 14 hps, and probably wouldn't survive.

I do like his movement (100 ft) though.

So like you said, I'll just have to be more creative with him. Thanks for the responses.

BTW, what good is the whirlwind attack with a small air elemental, besides clearing out mice?

 

[jgsugden]

BTW, what good is the whirlwind attack with a small air elemental, besides clearing out mice?

My druid summoned a small air elemental (special extended version of summon) prior to entering the lair of a red dragon. The rest of the party laughed at me, but I had a plan. When the battle was joined, I had the elemental swoop through the dragon's treasure (picking it all up in his whirlwind) and then take off with it to a safe place. In the end, we lost a few PCs and had to retreat, but my character ended up very rich ...

Another use: obscuring vision. The obscured vision can help protect you from gaze attacks, prevent missile sneak attacks, allow a rogue to hide, etc ...

Finally, it is unclear what effect it should have on a swarm creature. Although the rules do not cover it, I would let a whirlwind attack be very effective in cleaning out a swarm of small bugs.

 

[plaster]

My druid summoned a small air elemental (special extended version of summon) prior to entering the lair of a red dragon. The rest of the party laughed at me, but I had a plan. When the battle was joined, I had the elemental swoop through the dragon's treasure (picking it all up in his whirlwind) and then take off with it to a safe place. In the end, we lost a few PCs and had to retreat, but my character ended up very rich ...

hehe, nice

Another use: obscuring vision. The obscured vision can help protect you from gaze attacks, prevent missile sneak attacks, allow a rogue to hide, etc ...

Yeah, I kind of baited the question to see what I would get. I already used him to obscure the vision of an umberhulk, pretty much saving the party (and my character) that was just standing there in a trance. It allowed enough time for the one character not in a trance (the cleric) to take care of him.