How free are you with a Freedom of Movement Spell?

[Lady Sabelle]

What are the exact effects of a freedom of movement spell? The description states:

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.

If you were walking along a narrow bridge where high winds required you to make a DC25 balance check every 5', would a freedom of movement allow you to move normally? It also says that you can move freely in water. Does that include moving through a waterfall or a very strong current?

 

[green slime]

What are the exact effects of a freedom of movement spell? The description states:
If you were walking along a narrow bridge where high winds required you to make a DC25 balance check every 5', would a freedom of movement allow you to move normally? It also says that you can move freely in water. Does that include moving through a waterfall or a very strong current?

That narrow bridge isn't hindering your movement. The wind is trying to force you some way. But if you want to get over the bridge without mistepping into empty space, you hade better keep your feet on the narrow path. I'd rule a lower Balance DC (removing the effect of the wind).

Yes, you can move through water unhindered by the current.

 

[Ogrork the Mighty]

SRD:
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.

I think the bolded part is very important and often glossed over by people. I think unless you're suffering a movement or attack impediment, the spell doesn't do anything else. This may require some use of the DM's judgement, but I don't think the spell makes you immune to all sorts of things that some people think the spell makes you immune to.

 

[kreynolds]

I think unless you're suffering a movement or attack impediment, the spell doesn't do anything else. This may require some use of the DM's judgement, but I don't think the spell makes you immune to all sorts of things that some people think the spell makes you immune to.

I agree. Actually, one of the best ways I have seen this results of this spell summed up was in Iggwiliv's statblock from Dungeon 148(?). She had this spell cast on her already, and its effects appeared under the immunities section as "movement-impeding effects".

 

[Lonely Tylenol]

In general, I use the rule of thumb that if something blocks line of effect, it also blocks movement under freedom of movement. Otherwise, if something prevents you from either:
1. Being able to move normally
2. Being able to attempt to move normally (but excluding volitional control by magic)
then the spell lets you move normally.

By the first condition I mean things like web, which provide an actual barrier or hindrance to movement. By the second, I mean things like deep water, hurricane winds, paralysis magic, or other situations that limit your options for movement.

This specifically excludes situations in which normal movement is inapplicable, even under ideal conditions, such as for balancing, climbing, etc. While you would be able to climb normally under the spell despite hindrances, you don't get any special ability to climb any better than you would otherwise. It simply removes barriers that would prevent you from getting your 30 ft. movement (or whatever you're entitled to).

 

[eamon]

I'm not convinced freedom of movement would grant immunity from flowing water. Why is that so?

 

[phindar]

For me, I've always been unclear on the difference between Freedom of Movement and the 9th level spell Freedom. Aside from the specific examples listed in the description, what would be an example of something Freedom would work against that FoM wouldn't? (This has been an vague point for me through three and a half editions of D&D, and I have high hopes it'll be similiarly vague when 4ed comes out.)

 

[Lonely Tylenol]

For me, I've always been unclear on the difference between Freedom of Movement and the 9th level spell Freedom. Aside from the specific examples listed in the description, what would be an example of something Freedom would work against that FoM wouldn't? (This has been an vague point for me through three and a half editions of D&D, and I have high hopes it'll be similiarly vague when 4ed comes out.)

The specific examples listed in the description are pretty comprehensive. Freedom undoes effects of much greater magnitude, like petrification and maze, that aren't really about movement, but more about being imprisoned or disabled. Freedom of movement only works on effects that prevent movement.

Also notice the durations. Freedom of movement only lasts for 10 minutes per level, after which the webs start to stick and the paralysis sets in again, assuming those effects are still in place. However, freedom actually dispels effects that are affecting the target. Interestingly, this means that freedom of movement is a more appropriate spell for situations involving grappling or underwater combat.

Finally, if there is some sort of imprisonment effect written in an adventure that is supposed to be super-duper, you're probably going to find that it's only breakable by freedom or wish. It's that kind of "appropriate key" spell.

 

[Lady Sabelle]

SRD:
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.

I think the bolded part is very important and often glossed over by people. I think unless you're suffering a movement or attack impediment, the spell doesn't do anything else. This may require some use of the DM's judgement, but I don't think the spell makes you immune to all sorts of things that some people think the spell makes you immune to.

It can be argued that if you are being forced in a direction other than the one in which you are trying to move normally in, the freedom of movement should allow you to ignore the force that is trying to impede you. I believe that this should include things like rushing water or high winds from magical or mundane sources.

 

[HeapThaumaturgist]

I can't speak to the RAW, but if I were the GM and you asked, I'd allow it. Seems, to me, within the purview of the spell. Winds are hindering your movement (I.E. they are trying to knock you off balance if you move) and then they wouldn't be. I would remove the effects of the wind for that character.

I.E. if it is a narrow ledge which is DC 10 Balance to walk across ... but High Winds make it a DC 25 to walk across ... FoM would reduce it back to DC 10.

If, on the other hand, it is A Five Foot Wide Bridge which requires no DC to walk across, but the winds are so mighty that they knock you off without a Balance Check, the FoM would remove that entirely.

That's just me, though.

--fje