Flight and Flying Attack Clarification


Rules Questions


I was told, but I cannot find the info, that if you have poor flight then you have to land to attack.

Is that true? If so does that mean that the monster with poor flight cannot use fly-by attack, or does that feat override that rule?


Also can a creature with a breath weapon use it during a flyby?

Grand Lodge

Can't find any raw to say you can't, it's just harder to do anything involving a fly check (-8).

Grand Lodge

As long as the breath weapon or other attack is a standard action than yes they can. I can't seem to find if a breath weapon is a standard action or not, but I'll keep looking and will check my physical books at home.

*edit- Found, for dragons at least breath weapons are standard actions. Thus the iconic dragons swooping down, burning a village to ashes and then flying away again is accurate, by RAW any ways :)


TROOOOOOGDOOOOOOORRRRRR!!!!!!!


Vuvu, yes creatures can use powers, abilities, and attacks while in flight.

Example: A young red dragon (fly speed 200, fly skill +9) is flying towards a party of adventurers. We will start this encounter at a distance of 150feet.

Round 1: Dragon flies 115feet at the group (move action) to a distance of 35feet. Since it traveled over half of its move speed (200) it remains in flight. It then breathes fire and roasts the group.

The adventurers respond with bow fire wounding the dragon. The dragon is now forced to make a DC10 fly check which it automatically makes (D20+9 = 10minimum).

Round 2:
The Dragon flies forward 30 feet (move action) and chomps the fighter with a vital strike (Standard action). Since the dragon only traveled 30feet and that isnt over 1/2 of its move speed it must make a fly check to stay airborne. The check is a DC10 check which it automatically makes.

The fighter strikes back, the dragon automatically makes its fly check.

Round 3:
The dragon wants to make a full attack against the fighter. It must make a hover check DC15 to stay airborne if it wants to do this. It needs to roll a 6 on a D20 to succeed. Failure means it hits the ground, success means it stays flying and may make a full attack action.

I hope this helps. - Gauss

Edit: I did not play this dragon very smart on purpose. Maybe it was suicidal. This was just an example.


yes helpful, so just to make sure i get it

if dragon had flyby, it could have in rd 2 flown 30 ft chomped the fighter then flown another 80ft and not had to make a fly check at all?


Vuvu, absolutely correct.

- Gauss

Grand Lodge

Yes indeed, unless something was to disturb his flight like exceptional wind or the like, he could easily do that.

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