flying and tumble checks

[Sektat]

Can you do tumble checks to avoid Aoo while flying?

 

[eamon]

Can you do tumble checks to avoid Aoo while flying?

Sure, I would allow it. There's no reason I can see not to. If a DM really doesn't like the flavor (which is the only reason I can image for not allowing it), perhaps a cumulative -2 penalty for each maneuverability class below perfect could work. It's unlikely to be worth the bother, and the books don't mention or imply that tumble should be somehow limited to the ground.

 

[frankthedm]

and the books don't mention or imply that tumble should be somehow limited to the ground.

Yes the PHB entry for tumble does imply that.

Surface Is… DC Modifier

Lightly obstructed (scree, light rubble, shallow bog1, undergrowth) +2
Severely obstructed (natural cavern floor, dense rubble, dense undergrowth) +5
Lightly slippery (wet floor) +2
Severely slippery (ice sheet) +5
Sloped or angled +2

Tumbling is impossible in a deep bog.

What quality of flight are we talkinging about? For beings that fly without wings and have done so all their lives while picking up ranks in tumble, it is reasonable to allow mid air tumbling, but trying to tumble with low quality winged flight should lead to unhappy landings. Tucking in those wings while trying to avoid AoOs should lead right to stalling.

 

[Sektat]

> What quality of flight are we talkinging about?

I think about 3 situations:

(1) Creature with a fly spell on it

(2) Creature with the half-celestial template

(3) Creature with 10 level in dragon disciple

 

[Ambrus]

I'd assume that tumbling is possible while flying. To Frank's point, those are merely possible DC modifiers, rather than actual DCs (if you get my meaning). None of those modifiers would normally apply while tumbling through the air, except perhaps if one was flying through a forest canopy and dust cloud or a perhaps a swarm of fine creatures.

A similar question arose last session when I was lead to wonder whether it would be possible to make a jump skill check while flying. It might sound absurd, except that it's similarly possible to execute a counter-intuitive run action while flying.

 

[Primitive Screwhead]

That digs into the question of the defintition of "...as part of normal movement,..."

My reading is that a creature that has the natural ability to fly can tumble while flying. Those who have un-natural means of gaining flight, fer instance use of the Fly spell, cannot.

So of the three listed above:
1) No
2) Yes
3) Yes

 

[Bagpuss]

I would think to tumble you would need to be able to suddenly change direction, ie: you would need at least good or even perfect flight.

 

[Jhulae]

I would think to tumble you would need to be able to suddenly change direction, ie: you would need at least good or even perfect flight.

I don't know.. even today we have things with less than good or perfect flight (fighter aircraft) that 'tumble' (via all their maneuvers) in an effort to 'not get hit'.

 

[Kmart Kommando]

If you have a fly speed, no matter where you got it, flying is normal movement for you. Creatures with a climb speed or swim speed can tumble while doing so.

Only problem for flying tumblers would be if they have to maintain forward motion, then they'd have to do accelerated tumbles to avoid stalling. A dragon with the Wingover feat could probably avoid that restriction, however.

Saying that casting a Fly spell on someone doesn't count as normal movement doesn't work, because it says right in the spell:

The subject can fly at a speed of 60 feet (or 40 feet if it wears medium or heavy armor, or if it carries a medium or heavy load). It can ascend at half speed and descend at double speed, and its maneuverability is good.

If they don't gain a fly speed, then they can't fly, because you can't use a mode of movement you don't possess.

 

[Patlin]

One of the jumping maneuvers in Bo9S indicates you can tumble while jumping "as you can with any type of movement."

By that reasoning, flying tumbles are fine.