Freedom of Movement question

[Inconsequenti-AL]

This spell enables you or a creature you touch to move and attack normally for the duration of the spell, even under the influence of magic that usually impedes movement, such as paralysis, solid fog, slow, and web. The subject automatically succeeds on any grapple check made to resist a grapple attempt, as well as on grapple checks or Escape Artist checks made to escape a grapple or a pin.

Caught myself wondering about this and wanted an answer to my question:

Does this let you move through a Wall of Force? Why?

 

[Piratecat]

I'll answer by asking whether the spell allows you to walk through a stone wall.

I think it's pretty clear that the answer is no. When a wall of force is in front of you, you aren't under its influence and it isn't impeding your movement, even if it's blocking your path.

 

[Shallown]

Its sometimes easiest to think does the effect prevent choices. Paralysis means no choice. A wall of force has the choice of walking away from it so Freedom does not work.

In a previous recent post the question was does Ottos Dance impeded movement. It was decided like dominate person it removes the person's ability to choose not actually impedeing his movement. Which means Hold person affects a Freedom of movement person since it removes the choice of movement not the ability to move.

Did that make sense... It makes sense to me but still sounds confusing.

later

 

[Ovinomancer]

Shallown bring up an interesting point. Hold person is a mind affecting compulsion effect. It would seem that it does not physically prevent a person from moving, but creates the mental condition of believing you cannot move. It does seem to effectively sidestep FoM, if you choose to use this logic.

Hold Person
Enchantment (Compulsion) [Mind-Affecting]
Level: Brd 2, Clr 2, Sor/Wiz 3
Components: V, S, F/DF
Casting Time: 1 standard action
Range: Medium (100 ft. + 10 ft./level)
Target: One humanoid creature
Duration: 1 round/level (D); see text
Saving Throw: Will negates; see text
Spell Resistance: Yes
The subject becomes paralyzed and freezes in place. It is aware and breathes normally but cannot take any actions, even speech. Each round on its turn, the subject may attempt a new saving throw to end the effect. (This is a full-round action that does not provoke attacks of opportunity.)
A winged creature who is paralyzed cannot flap its wings and falls. A swimmer can’t swim and may drown.
Arcane Focus: A small, straight piece of iron.

Of course, you may read the spell as giving the target the paralyzed condition, in which case FoM does work, but that is not explicitly stated in the text. Paralyzed appears as more of flavor than crunch.

 

[Inconsequenti-AL]

I'll answer by asking whether the spell allows you to walk through a stone wall.

I think it's pretty clear that the answer is no. When a wall of force is in front of you, you aren't under its influence and it isn't impeding your movement, even if it's blocking your path.

I certainly see that it wouldn't let you walk through a stone wall - including the one from Wall of Stone - which IIRC, creates a real stone wall as an instantaneous effect.

I can see where you're coming from with the fact that it isn't impeding you, it's blocking you. Definitely makes sense. I think Shallown's choice angle works for me...

I was just reading through it, inspired to use for my next session from another thread. One of my players has something similar to the travel domain power and I was trying to work out if he could just run through the wall. 'No' felt like the correct answer but I always like a sensible 'Why not' argument prepared in case they tried to...

Thanks!

Ovinomancer - I can see where you're coming from... certainly could be argued the effect makes you 'believe' that you can't more. Rather than actually physically preventing you. I guess FOM would let you 'believe' you can move...

 

[Darmanicus]

Would it help you bypass a restraining order though!?