Tumbling while flying?

[TessarrianDM]

The description of the Tumble skill states that you can tumble as "part of normal movement".
The FAQ states that you cannot tumble while prone, as that is not "normal movement". All of the examples and modifiers are for the creature's base land speed.

If a creature has a burrow/climb/fly/swim speed, would these be considered "normal movement", allowing it to use the Tumble skill while unencumbered and using one of these modes? If so, what kinds of modifiers other than those listed in the Player's Handbook may apply?

 

[Infiniti2000]

Technically, I think they are considered normal movement, but that's not the problem. I also see no real logical error as I can come up with somewhat reasonable explanations for each (although I can't imagine that burrowing would require it). The problem is, however, that it says "You can land softly when you fall or tumble past opponents." That underlined phrase, if you use this initial sentence as part of the rule, IMO implies that you cannot tumble unless on the ground. Even ignoring that, you'll have to explain the logical error with the Jump synergy.

 

[Ogrork the Mighty]

You could perhaps limit tumbling to Perfect maneuverability or to flying by magical means (as one would think having wings and using them would interfere with tumbling).

 

[Kmart Kommando]

"Land softly when falling.." means reducing damage taken from a fall with a tumble check, it doesn't mean 'you can't tumble while flying'.

 

[Moon-Lancer]

tumble=barrel role

 

[Primitive Screwhead]

Agreed that tumble = barrel roll..

and remember that the limitation on needing a certain amount of forward movement to avoid stalls will limit some flying creatures from tumbling..

I think the '...and land softly... ' bit is flavour text based on an assumption and does not apply to other 'normal' modes of movement.

 

[Darklone]

Tumbling while flying is sooo nice for pixies. I don't want to miss it.

 

[Kmart Kommando]

Tumble = barrel roll, back flip, juke, duck, dive roll, kip up, cartwheel, hand spring, back hand spring, defensive spin, this list could go on forever...

If they wanted you to only do a barrel roll, they would've called the skill Barrel Roll.
Then they'd have Try Not To Splatter for reducing falling damage. Feint for getting past someone, etc..

 

[Whimsical]

Using Tumble and Fly reminds me of an old New Mutants comic book sequence where Nightcrawler was teaching Cannonball how to use acrobatics to change his flying direction while flying, since Cannonball had a clumsy maneuverability when flying.

I suppose because of that sequence, I never had a problem with players using Tumble while flying. It's probably what dragons do with Wingover.

 

[Boddynock]

Tumbling while flying reminds me of a high mobility 14th level PC I had. He borrowed a pair of wings of the bat to deal with a dragon that was attacking - the other PCs were busy with the land based forces. I figured he could fly rings around the dragon. The DM said he couldn't tumble in the air. He made a forced landing in the second round of combat with 1 hp left.



Personally, I think you should be able to tumble while flying!