The Ambiguity of Elemental Subtypes

[Three_Haligonians]

Hey,

So I was reading the glossary of the 3.5 Monster Manual, looking up the four elemental subtypes. The Fire subtype was no real surprise and contained exactly what you see elsewhere; fire immunity and cold vulnerability but the other three left me confused.. and here is why:

The Air subtype reads as follows,

This subtype usually is used for elementals and outsiders with a connection to the Elemental Plane of Air. Air creatures always have fly speeds and usually have perfect maneuverability.

The Earth subtype reads,

This subtype usually is used for elementals and outsiders with a connection to the Elemental Plane of Earth. Earth creatures usually have burrow speeds, and most earth creatures can burrow through solid rock.

Lastly, the Water subtype reads,

This subtype usually is used for elementals and outsiders with a connection to the Elemental Plane of Water. Creatures with the water subtype always have swim speeds and can move in water without making Swim checks. A water creature can breathe underwater and usually can breathe air as well.

My question is, of course, what is with the uncertainty? why is the "Earth" movement of burrow not guarenteed to Earth creatures like flying and swiming are? More importantly.. if a monster, or better yet a character, were to gain one of these subtypes, how do you determine what their new movement speed is? or any of the other details?

There is, as always, the chance that I have totally missed the answer despite it staring me in the face and if this has happened please let me know.. otherwise what suggestions do you have?

Thanks,
J from Three Haligonians

 

[The Spectrum Rider]

Hey,

So I was reading the glossary of the 3.5 Monster Manual, looking up the four elemental subtypes. The Fire subtype was no real surprise and contained exactly what you see elsewhere; fire immunity and cold vulnerability but the other three left me confused.. and here is why:

The Air subtype reads as follows,

This subtype usually is used for elementals and outsiders with a connection to the Elemental Plane of Air. Air creatures always have fly speeds and usually have perfect maneuverability.

The Earth subtype reads,

This subtype usually is used for elementals and outsiders with a connection to the Elemental Plane of Earth. Earth creatures usually have burrow speeds, and most earth creatures can burrow through solid rock.

Lastly, the Water subtype reads,

This subtype usually is used for elementals and outsiders with a connection to the Elemental Plane of Water. Creatures with the water subtype always have swim speeds and can move in water without making Swim checks. A water creature can breathe underwater and usually can breathe air as well.

My question is, of course, what is with the uncertainty? why is the "Earth" movement of burrow not guarenteed to Earth creatures like flying and swiming are? More importantly.. if a monster, or better yet a character, were to gain one of these subtypes, how do you determine what their new movement speed is? or any of the other details?

There is, as always, the chance that I have totally missed the answer despite it staring me in the face and if this has happened please let me know.. otherwise what suggestions do you have?

Thanks,
J from Three Haligonians

I suspect the "uncertainty" is simply a matter of the fact that WotC had, or considered having in the future, some monsters with the Earth subtype who didn't have a burrowing speed, because it wasn't a good fit for the creature's concept. It would still be an Earth creature for the purposes of (just for example) being rebuked/commanded by a cleric with the Earth domain.

As for what happens if a monster or character gains one of these subtypes - I don't think there's a mechanic for simply gaining a subtype like this. There are, however, templates - WotC has published templates for both a earth element creature and a half-earth elemental. These spell out the traits the creature acquires. (I'm not sure we've seen them updated for 3.5, though.)

The Spectrum Rider

 

[Scharlata]

I suspect the "uncertainty" is simply a matter of the fact that WotC had, or considered having in the future, some monsters with the Earth subtype who didn't have a burrowing speed, because it wasn't a good fit for the creature's concept.

Hi!

Spectrum Rider is right on track.

And as I've pointed out, WotC erred with their description of the Air subtype in the first place (MM 1 Glossary). As you could look it up, the Cloud Giant has the Air subtype since the beginning of his existence in the MM 1 BUT NO Fly Speed, as declamated in the Glossary.

Kind regards