Travel Domain Does NOT Equal Freedom of Movement

[aboyd]

I'm not sure the title of this topic is true, but I'm opening it up as a question. The spell Freedom of Movement allows for a lot of extra goodies -- you can cast it on someone else, and you can move through natural impediments to movement, such as water (or wind, I believe). Page 188 of the PH says that using the travel domain's "Freedom of Movement" feature means "you can act normally regardless of magical effects that impede movement." So here's the question: did that just put limitations on the Freedom of Movement spell?

For me personally, I've interpreted it (unintentionally) as 50/50. I adhere to the limitation that only the cleric himself can use it, but I have otherwise followed the spell description, allowing my cleric to move through water, thick underbrush, etc. What do you think?

 

[Deset Gled]

I have always ruled that the domain ability only functions against magical effects that impede movement, not mundane effects. So yes, this is much more limited that the actual spell.

For reference:

For a total time per day of 1 round per cleric level you possess, you can act normally regardless of magical effects that impede movement as if you were affected by the spell freedom of movement. This effect occurs automatically as soon as it applies, lasts until it runs out or is no longer needed, and can operate multiple times per day (up to the total daily limit of rounds).
This granted power is a supernatural ability.

 

[Jack99]

I let it work on magical and mundane effects, but I houseruled it into:

This effect occurs automatically as soon as it applies, lasts until it runs out or is no longer needed, and can operate multiple times per day (up to the total daily limit of rounds).





.

 

[isoChron]

Wouldn't it be a spell-like ability if it was the same as the spell freedom of movement ?
Since it is a supernatural ability I think it's restricted with purpose.

The text states that only magical impedements are negated so no help in grapple and undergrowth. The domain is already good enough.

 

[RigaMortus2]

FoM the spell removes the reduced speed penalty for wearing heavy armor as well. The domain ability does not, since that is not a "magical" hinderence.

 

[Christian]

FoM the spell removes the reduced speed penalty for wearing heavy armor as well. The domain ability does not, since that is not a "magical" hinderence.

Which, now that it's put that way, actually helps keep the domain ability from sucking for many clerics. "I'm grappled? Hah! I slip away with my freedom of movement domain ability?" "Sorry--that's already been used up for the day." "What? When?" "The first fourteen rounds after you put on your plate mail, it was giving you a 30' movement rate. The ability, after all, 'occurs automatically as soon as it applies'." "@#)(*$"

 

[Jack Simth]

I'm not sure the title of this topic is true, but I'm opening it up as a question. The spell Freedom of Movement allows for a lot of extra goodies -- you can cast it on someone else, and you can move through natural impediments to movement, such as water (or wind, I believe). Page 188 of the PH says that using the travel domain's "Freedom of Movement" feature means "you can act normally regardless of magical effects that impede movement." So here's the question: did that just put limitations on the Freedom of Movement spell?

For me personally, I've interpreted it (unintentionally) as 50/50. I adhere to the limitation that only the cleric himself can use it, but I have otherwise followed the spell description, allowing my cleric to move through water, thick underbrush, etc. What do you think?

It only applies to magical effects and it only applies to the cleric.

A Wizard's Web spell? Cleric walks on out (if he's got any rounds remaining), completely unhindered.

A Druid's Entangle? Likewise.

The Enlarged Barbarian with Improved Grapple? Sorry, Cleric is stuck, as it isn't a magical effect.

Water? Not a magical effect - Cleric is impeded.

Normal Underbrush? Sorry Cleric.

A Ghost's Telekinesis? That's a Supernatural Ability, and thus a magical effect - Cleric's Freedom of Movement applies.

And so on.

 

[Nail]

I have always ruled that the domain ability only functions against magical effects that impede movement, not mundane effects. So yes, this is much more limited that the actual spell.

I, too, rule this way.

 

[Votan]

FoM the spell removes the reduced speed penalty for wearing heavy armor as well. The domain ability does not, since that is not a "magical" hinderence.

Which is a pity as the ability to move at normal speed in heavy armor would be a very flavorful and interesting ability for a Travel Domain cleric.