Fly spell and dive attacks

[WattsHumphrey]

I have a PC in my 3.5 game who is playing a cleric with the travel domain. He recently gained the ability to cast the fly spell, and is using it in ways that I'm not sure should work.

Under 3.0 there was a mechanic whereby flying creatures could dive straight down at enemies and do double damage. I let him do this last game, as I couldn't find rules backing up or contradicting this in my 3.5 books. This gave me the opportunity to learn just how quickly one character can annihilate the BBEG where there isn't a roof above her head.

Is there still a rule in 3.5 that on dive attacks creatures can do double damage? Can this be done with the fly spell or does the creature need to actually have a natural flying ability?

Rules quotes from 3.0 would be handy, but I'm most interested in page numbers (or quotes) from 3.5. Any help would be appreciated.

 

[Altamont Ravenard]

A creature that flies can make dive attacks. A dive attack works just like a charge, but the diving creature must move a minimum of 30 feet and descend at least 10 feet. It can make only claw or talon attacks, but these deal double damage.

That's what I could find in the SRD 3.5... It only mentions claw and talon attacks...

Also note that unless the monster has Flyby Attack as a feat, it'll probably induce a lot of AoO's...

AR

 

[WattsHumphrey]

That's what I could find in the SRD 3.5... It only mentions claw and talon attacks...

Also note that unless the monster has Flyby Attack as a feat, it'll probably induce a lot of AoO's...

AR

Hmm... most helpful, thanks.

If all else fails, I may have to deny him this ability until he has claw and talon attacks (which he will get soon, most likely). Additionally, this solves the other issue of power attacking. He was dual-handed power attacking with the dive, and that made the kill... well... messy. Claw and talon attacks are light weapons (All natural attacks are, aren't they?), and that would make power attack much less powerful, so that would solve that issue.

Thanks again.