So, flight... (Let the headaches begin...)

[Burticusb]

Hmmmm... I'm leaning more towards the case kalani is making. It's the closest "interpretation", but you are right Pauper, it is indeed just that, an interpretation.

And I'm fine with a DM having some variation in their rules, but I think it would be beneficial to all DM's if in fact we just had one ruling on this... for simplicity if nothing else.

So, I know I may be asking a lot here, but is there no way we can get this nailed down?

I think I would lean towards kalani's interpretation, mainly because it makes the most sense, systematically and mechanically.

Plus, it's just an easier concept for new players to grasp...

 

[kalani]

An official AL ruling on this will not be made, as the campaign staff is not in the business of making rulings on the core rules. If a rule specific to AL needs to be made for the sake of balance (such as what kinds of creatures an AL PC can summon), we address it.... But when it comes to general rules (such as how flight or a specific feat works) - we stay out of it in an official capacity.

In fact, in the AL social media groups - general rules questions are frowned upon and strongly discouraged. It is also for this reason why "Sage Advice" is not a mandatory document for AL... DMs are free to use the rulings in Sage Advice if they choose, but they are not required to (they can make their own interpretation).

 

[Burticusb]

An official AL ruling on this will not be made, as the campaign staff is not in the business of making rulings on the core rules. If a rule specific to AL needs to be made for the sake of balance (such as what kinds of creatures an AL PC can summon), we address it.... But when it comes to general rules (such as how flight or a specific feat works) - we stay out of it in an official capacity.

In fact, in the AL social media groups - general rules questions are frowned upon and strongly discouraged. It is also for this reason why "Sage Advice" is not a mandatory document for AL... DMs are free to use the rulings in Sage Advice if they choose, but they are not required to (they can make their own interpretation).

I get it Kalani, I can see why AL would rather stay out of these type of things, so I will concede my request... but I still think your interpretation makes the most sense, and I'm sure my local store DM who I play with on a weekly basis will agree as well.

I would like to thank everyone for their awesome insight in this, and helping my see that I did not miss anything as far as this ruling is concerned.

I can see both sides, but I really feel that hover is just a mechanic for those creatures who can't fall when their speed is reduced to zero.

 

[Pauper]

In fact, in the AL social media groups - general rules questions are frowned upon and strongly discouraged. It is also for this reason why "Sage Advice" is not a mandatory document for AL... DMs are free to use the rulings in Sage Advice if they choose, but they are not required to (they can make their own interpretation).

Because of this, and combined with the directive in the Adventurers League Player's Guide that "A DM's ruling at the table is considered final for the purpose of that play session." (ALPG, p.17), if you get into an argument with your DM over a ruling, the DM will always win that argument.

To DMs I say: Use this power for good.

To players I say: expect table variation.

--
Pauper

 

[kalani]

Agreed. DMs: don't go on a power trip. PCs: allow for some variation

Myself: I tend to rule in favor of the PCs more often than not.

 

[Burticusb]

At the very least, I can point to this very thread as an example that there is indeed no definitive ruling on flight... and that if the DM wants to run it one way or the other, than that it is just their interpretation, not the rule.

 

[skerritthegreen]

My general move for a DM that gets a rule wrong is that assuming it doesn't result in character death, I let it slide and tell them where to find the rule when the game is over. People are less defensive if you don't call them out in front of all their players.

 

[Tia Nadiezja]

Though, honestly, if you're going to run a public play game, you really need to be up on the rules - and be willing to revisit on the spot if a player has an immediate "That doesn't sound right; the book says this" moment.

Even if the player's not as polite as you want.

 

[StinkyEttin]

As others have said before, this falls within the realm of each individual DMs discretion. Personally, I believe that the DM adjudicated the scenario incorrectly (again, as others have demonstrated), but it's his table so he has that ability. The best thing to do is to talk to the DM on a break or after the game and show them the rule's entry in the PHB and hope for the best. But, if they remain unconvinced, rest easy with the knowledge that once the slot is over, you'll have a different DM who may see it differently. These sorts of rules conflicts fall outside of the scope of the Adventurers League program; for the most part, we don't issue general rules guidelines.

 

[kalani]

With that being said: I personally have no problem answering questions of this nature as it is something I have been doing on the rules questions forums for nearly 15 years. With that being said however, RAW vs RAI means little in the scope of AL as DMs are given a lot more latitude to interpret the rules than in previous OPs. There simply is no "right way" to interpret the rules in AL and as long as DMs are not changing the rules or adding rules, items, content to an adventure - we are good.

Just as long as everyone knows that they will never be able to brow beat their DMs with a forum post regarding a general rules issue - i think these conversations are harmless distraction. IMHO they are fine on a forum but I agree that conversations like this have no place on the official social media sites (eg FB or Google+).

This post is just my personal opinion and is not said in an official capacity.