Canonfire!

Sun Aug 21, 2011 3:49 pm Can a monster run while flying?

I can't find the answer to this question in any of my books. Please help!

Can a monster with a fly speed use a run action to fly four times that speed as a full round action?

I know several aquatic monsters (like the dragon turtle) with a swim speed can use a run action as it says so in their entries in the Monster Manual. However, I can't seem to find such a reference for monsters with a fly speed (like wyverns). I assume they can, but would prefer to be certain if someone can direct me to a rules entry clarifying the issue.

Edit: And a related question is the same with regard to magical items such as Wings of Flying. They provide a wearer with a fly speed of 60, but that's all it says. Can the wearer use a run action with the Wings to move 240 feet per round as long as s/he moves in a straight line?

Thanks! Smile

SirXaris

Thu Sep 01, 2011 8:33 am

This question has come up more than once at this point, I really wish Paizo had kept the Movement Modes from the old Monster Manuel.

In 3.5 you could run with both Fly, and Swim. So unless you find something else that says otherwise I would say you can.

You just can't run while under the effect of a fly spell. The fact that they mention you can't run here makes me think that they intended for you to be able to run with normal flying.

Edit: Wings of Flying give a fly speed without saying something like "As Per the Fly spell" so I would be inclined to think that you can run with Wings of Flying.

Thu Sep 01, 2011 11:23 am

Thu Sep 01, 2011 11:51 am

There isn't a page reference as far as Pathfinder is concerned since they don't really talk about it as far as I know.

However I said before it in 3.5 here:

Thu Sep 01, 2011 4:55 pm

Thu Sep 01, 2011 5:06 pm

Glad to hear it! :) Just wish I could have found a answer in Pathfinder.

Sun Sep 04, 2011 6:37 pm

Iressi,

Pathfinder has a fly skill I wonder if all flying effects for Paizo are determined by that skill. Though nothing in the SRD for Paizo clarifies this.
I would say only those with a natural flying ability can increase their fly speed. While those provided by a magical item or spell will not allow the recipient to increase his speed.

Later

Argon

Tue Sep 06, 2011 8:01 am

So are you saying by that you can't even do a double move?

Tue Sep 06, 2011 6:41 pm

Iressi,

I'm saying that's how I would rule on it. Your free to make your decision on such things. However a creature born to fly should be better at it then someone with magical means of flying. That's just my opinion because the SRD does not cover this particular subject.

Later

Argon

Tue Sep 06, 2011 7:21 pm

Oh I know I was just curious :) I suppose it makes sense on some level that flying creatures are better at it.

Thu Sep 08, 2011 1:20 am

I think he is saying that a character can close their eyes really, really tight, and wish really, really hard, blow a sphincter even, but their fly spell just won't fly them around any faster.

However, a character can make an additional Move action instead of taking a Standard action. That would mean that a character could, in effect, double their flying movement from a spell with no increase to the power of the spell, only the time devoted to its use. All they can do is fly though(barring any Free/Swift actions they could also take).

I agree that a creature with a natural flying ability(wings) can exert effort to fly faster(otherwise my bat familiar "Ren Hoek" would not be wishing for HUGE pectoral muscles all of the time), and so could use the Run rules for its flying speed. It just makes sense.
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Thu Sep 08, 2011 1:30 pm

Cebrion,

You are correct sir. That is exactly what I was saying.

Later

Argon

Thu Sep 08, 2011 1:46 pm

Gotcha, I will keep that in mind for when/if flying comes up. :)

Thu Sep 08, 2011 1:53 pm

That all sounds very reasonable to me. I just didn't want to assume anything only to later find out I'd missed a written rule contradicting my own reasoning. Razz

Thanks fellas!

SirXaris

Mon Sep 19, 2011 8:23 am

Mon Sep 19, 2011 3:16 pm