3D combat in 4e

[Rauthiss]

Stuff in 4e flies. My DM and I are both wondering the specifics of the implications of 3d combat. For instance, can a slide power slide enemies straight up into the air? If you all could provide a book to look through, we would greatly appreciate it; we can't find adequate rules in PHB or DMG 1.

[Oracle_Hunter]

DMG 1 actually has a section on Aerial Combat (around p.42 IIRC). It has been errata'd (http://www.wizards.com/dnd/Article.aspx?x=dnd/updatesarchive) since, so be sure to check both.

EDIT: Generally speaking, you can't use powers to move creatures vertically. So no, you don't get to add +xd10 damage to your Push attacks :smalltongue:

[Mando Knight]

DMG 1 actually has a section on Aerial Combat (around p.42 IIRC). It has been errata'd (http://www.wizards.com/dnd/Article.aspx?x=dnd/updatesarchive) since, so be sure to check both.

EDIT: Generally speaking, you can't use powers to move creatures vertically. So no, you don't get to add +xd10 damage to your Push attacks :smalltongue:

You can, however, push/pull/slide vertically if the target is already in the air.

[valadil]

Also, if you're interested in mapping 3d areas and don't want to spend a ton of cash, try construx (http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4068/4487311081_2100a62952_z.jpg). You can buy them by the pound on eBay.

[Urpriest]

You have to push/pull/slide to squares in which the target is supported. It's part of the section on forced movement. Teleporting has no such restriction, which was why they had to nerf the Spellstorm Mage's daily that teleports enemies to another square in a close burst 10.

[Oracle_Hunter]

You have to push/pull/slide to squares in which the target is supported. It's part of the section on forced movement. Teleporting has no such restriction, which was why they had to nerf the Spellstorm Mage's daily that teleports enemies to another square in a close burst 10.
Except for pushing people off cliffs - you can still do that, but they get a saving throw. Ditto for teleporting people off cliffs.

[Jaidu]

Also, if you're interested in mapping 3d areas and don't want to spend a ton of cash, try construx (http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4068/4487311081_2100a62952_z.jpg). You can buy them by the pound on eBay.

That is very cool. When I get home, I'm checking eBay. Thanks for the tip!

[Kurald Galain]

can a slide power slide enemies straight up into the air?
Yes, but only if it's a flying creature.

[Aron Times]

Since nobody has mentioned it yet, any power that causes the target to become prone causes a flying creature to crash. Quite handy to remember when you're fighting dragons that fight from range (blue dragons).

[KillianHawkeye]

Also, if you're interested in mapping 3d areas and don't want to spend a ton of cash, try construx (http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4068/4487311081_2100a62952_z.jpg). You can buy them by the pound on eBay.

Woah, they still make those?! I used to have them when I was a little kid!

[gurban]

If a flying creature is knocked prone, I believe it falls its speed, and lands safely if it lands at all IIRC.

As far as flying creatures on the battlemat, I busted out some stackable pint glasses to place the figs on, and the players really like it. However, now I have to hide all the glasses before the session, or they know some flying creatures are gonna show up.

[Hal]

I would imagine teleport powers could move opponents vertically.

[Thajocoth]

Since nobody has mentioned it yet, any power that causes the target to become prone causes a flying creature to crash. Quite handy to remember when you're fighting dragons that fight from range (blue dragons).

They fall their fly speed safely. Then they fall the rest of the way and take the relevant damage.

So a creature with Fly 8 who's 12 squares up and knocked prone falls the whole way, but only takes 4 squares (2d10) of fall damage. (12-8 = 4)

A flying creature can be pushed/pulled/slid/teleported vertically. One without a fly speed cannot.

Bursts and blasts are cubes. Burst 1 is a 3x3x3 cube centered on the target square.

Everyone's a cube. Your 15 foot tall Minotaur Eternal Defender exists in a 1x1x1 cube, since he counts as a medium creature.

[Blackfang108]

Since nobody has mentioned it yet, any power that causes the target to become prone causes a flying creature to crash. Quite handy to remember when you're fighting dragons that fight from range (blue dragons).

Even if the creature has hover?

[Jaidu]

Even if the creature has hover?

Yes. All the Hover trait means is that a creature with hover does not automatically fall when stunned.

[Katana_Geldar]

Except for pushing people off cliffs - you can still do that, but they get a saving throw. Ditto for teleporting people off cliffs.

Does that include pushing people off the side of a ship into the water? :smallfrown:

[Jaidu]

A flying creature can be pushed/pulled/slid/teleported vertically. One without a fly speed cannot.

According to the Rules Compendium, while push/pull/slide cannot be vertical on non-flying creatures, teleportation does not specify that it can't, though the creature would get a save if moving it vertically would cause it to fall. It very clearly states that teleportation, even against unwilling creatures, is not forced movement, and it only gives the restriction against vertical movement to forced movement.

This is why the errata to Wormhole Plunge limited the teleportation to once per round. By RAW, since it is a free action, people could teleport a creature 10 feet into the air and make it take falling damage over and over until it died. They limited it to once per round to avoid this.

[Thajocoth]

Does that include pushing people off the side of a ship into the water? :smallfrown:

Yes. Yes it does.