Can Unseen Servant Fly? [Archive] - Wizards Community

Can Unseen Servant Fly? [Archive] - Wizards Community

Post/Author/DateTime Post
Santhalas
03-13-08, 09:14 AM ... simple yes or no question.
Seeker95
03-13-08, 09:47 AM It is not given a fly speed, so no.
Koenig
03-13-08, 11:09 AM It is not given a fly speed, so no.

That's arguable.
Its speed is 15 feet.
It doesn't say anything about base land speed, fly speed, or any other speed.

An unseen servant is shapeless, so it can't stand on the ground, thus it flies.

The size of the servant isn't mentioned, so it can be tall enough to reach things you are out of reach.
Kursk
03-13-08, 11:16 AM Range: Close (25 ft. + 5 ft./2 levels)
Its speed is 15 feet.

If you attempt to send it beyond the spell’s range (measured from your current position), the servant ceases to exist.

It can move within those parameters.
CryoSilver
03-13-08, 02:18 PM Phantom Steed also does not list a form of movement when listing speed, yet it is specifically noted that it must acquire that power later on in order to do so.

If Unseen Servant had been able to fly, it would have been given a maneuverability, if nothing else.
Seeker95
03-13-08, 02:44 PM That's arguable.

It doesn't say anything about base land speed, fly speed, or any other speed.

An unseen servant is shapeless, so it can't stand on the ground, thus it flies.

The size of the servant isn't mentioned, so it can be tall enough to reach things you are out of reach.If no speed type is given, it is a base land speed.

I do not understand your effort to link "shapeless" with cannot stand on the ground? Do you wish to imply that ochre jellies, gelatinous cubes, and black puddings are incapable of standing on the ground and therefore can fly too?

If you ever DM, can I play in your game? I am aware of LOTS of things the rules do not say, and I will have my PC capable of doing all of them. :devil:
Kursk
03-13-08, 02:56 PM If no speed type is given, it is a base land speed.

I think this is the crucial point. You could house rule it.
Santhalas
03-13-08, 03:02 PM well then, since he's shapeless, he has no identifyable size.

so would it be safe to say that he can lift something in the air to the extent of the spell's distance?
Kursk
03-13-08, 03:16 PM well then, since he's shapeless, he has no identifyable size.

so would it be safe to say that he can lift something in the air to the extent of the spell's distance?

Interesting angle. You might be able get a DM to go along with that argument.
Vegepygmy
03-13-08, 03:33 PM I do not understand your effort to link "shapeless" with cannot stand on the ground? Do you wish to imply that ochre jellies, gelatinous cubes, and black puddings are incapable of standing on the ground and therefore can fly too?Oozes are not "shapeless." They are amorphous and/or mutable, but they have shape.

Pop Quiz: What shape are gelatinous cubes? :P

IMO, a shapeless force is not subject to gravity. Thus, it can "fly."
mvincent
03-13-08, 03:35 PM From the 3.0 FAQ:
"Though an unseen servant does not have a fly speed, the
caster can nevertheless direct the servant go anywhere within
the spell’s range (including up or down), provided that the
servant does not pass through a solid barrier to get there and
that the caster has line of effect to the servant at the beginning
of its movement for the turn."
Santhalas
03-13-08, 03:37 PM From the 3.0 FAQ:
"Though an unseen servant does not have a fly speed, the
caster can nevertheless direct the servant go anywhere within
the spell’s range (including up or down), provided that the
servant does not pass through a solid barrier to get there and
that the caster has line of effect to the servant at the beginning
of its movement for the turn."

what's line of effect??

I'm a bit new...
mvincent
03-13-08, 03:41 PM what's line of effect??From the Glossary (http://www.wizards.com/default.asp?x=dnd/glossary&term=Glossary_dnd_lineofeffect&alpha=L):
"line of effect
Line of effect tells you whether an effect (such as an explosion) can reach a creature. Line of effect is just like line of sight, except line of effect ignores restrictions on visual ability. For instance, a fireball's explosion doesn't care if a creature is invisible or hiding in darkness."

Mind you, the example in the last sentence isn't the best, as a fireball's explosion doesn't technically need LOE, but you get the idea ;)
Santhalas
03-13-08, 04:21 PM so can i cast my unseen servant in the next room?
mvincent
03-13-08, 04:35 PM so can i cast my unseen servant in the next room?Only if you have a direct, unimpeded line to the servant (like through an open doorway).
Santhalas
03-13-08, 04:44 PM Only if you have a direct, unimpeded line to the servant (like through an open doorway).

what does unimpeded mean?

apparently i DON'T have to be able to see the location where i'm conjuring him...

can there be a solid between me and the servant when i'm conjuring?
if not... then how small of a crack could there be?

would a magical wall of sorts not allow me to cast him beyond the wall?
Seeker95
03-13-08, 06:37 PM what does unimpeded mean?
apparently i DON'T have to be able to see the location where i'm conjuring him...For the most part, yes, you do. The few exceptions to this are less important than the understanding that line of sight is usually equivalent to line of effect. More likely are the circumstances where you have line of sight but not line of effect (through a closed window, for example).

can there be a solid between me and the servant when i'm conjuring?No.
if not... then how small of a crack could there be?You could cast through the bars of a cage. Maybe even through an arrow slit. But the crack under a door? Probably not. A keyhole? I would say definitely not.

would a magical wall of sorts not allow me to cast him beyond the wall?I can't think of a wall of something that would allow you to cast unseen servant on the other side of it.
mvincent
03-13-08, 06:49 PM what does unimpeded mean?Here (http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/unimpeded)

how small of a crack could there be?From the rules (http://www.d20srd.org/srd/magicOverview/spellDescriptions.htm#lineofEffect):
"An otherwise solid barrier with a hole of at least 1 square foot through it does not block a spell’s line of effect. Such an opening means that the 5-foot length of wall containing the hole is no longer considered a barrier for purposes of a spell’s line of effect."

Post/Author/DateTime	Post
Santhalas 03-13-08, 09:14 AM	... simple yes or no question.
Seeker95 03-13-08, 09:47 AM	It is not given a fly speed, so no.
Koenig 03-13-08, 11:09 AM	It is not given a fly speed, so no. That's arguable. Its speed is 15 feet. It doesn't say anything about base land speed, fly speed, or any other speed. An unseen servant is shapeless, so it can't stand on the ground, thus it flies. The size of the servant isn't mentioned, so it can be tall enough to reach things you are out of reach.
Kursk 03-13-08, 11:16 AM	Range: Close (25 ft. + 5 ft./2 levels) Its speed is 15 feet. If you attempt to send it beyond the spell’s range (measured from your current position), the servant ceases to exist. It can move within those parameters.
CryoSilver 03-13-08, 02:18 PM	Phantom Steed also does not list a form of movement when listing speed, yet it is specifically noted that it must acquire that power later on in order to do so. If Unseen Servant had been able to fly, it would have been given a maneuverability, if nothing else.
Seeker95 03-13-08, 02:44 PM	That's arguable. It doesn't say anything about base land speed, fly speed, or any other speed. An unseen servant is shapeless, so it can't stand on the ground, thus it flies. The size of the servant isn't mentioned, so it can be tall enough to reach things you are out of reach.If no speed type is given, it is a base land speed. I do not understand your effort to link "shapeless" with cannot stand on the ground? Do you wish to imply that ochre jellies, gelatinous cubes, and black puddings are incapable of standing on the ground and therefore can fly too? If you ever DM, can I play in your game? I am aware of LOTS of things the rules do not say, and I will have my PC capable of doing all of them. :devil:
Kursk 03-13-08, 02:56 PM	If no speed type is given, it is a base land speed. I think this is the crucial point. You could house rule it.
Santhalas 03-13-08, 03:02 PM	well then, since he's shapeless, he has no identifyable size. so would it be safe to say that he can lift something in the air to the extent of the spell's distance?
Kursk 03-13-08, 03:16 PM	well then, since he's shapeless, he has no identifyable size. so would it be safe to say that he can lift something in the air to the extent of the spell's distance? Interesting angle. You might be able get a DM to go along with that argument.
Vegepygmy 03-13-08, 03:33 PM	I do not understand your effort to link "shapeless" with cannot stand on the ground? Do you wish to imply that ochre jellies, gelatinous cubes, and black puddings are incapable of standing on the ground and therefore can fly too?Oozes are not "shapeless." They are amorphous and/or mutable, but they have shape. Pop Quiz: What shape are gelatinous cubes? :P IMO, a shapeless force is not subject to gravity. Thus, it can "fly."
mvincent 03-13-08, 03:35 PM	From the 3.0 FAQ: "Though an unseen servant does not have a fly speed, the caster can nevertheless direct the servant go anywhere within the spell’s range (including up or down), provided that the servant does not pass through a solid barrier to get there and that the caster has line of effect to the servant at the beginning of its movement for the turn."
Santhalas 03-13-08, 03:37 PM	From the 3.0 FAQ: "Though an unseen servant does not have a fly speed, the caster can nevertheless direct the servant go anywhere within the spell’s range (including up or down), provided that the servant does not pass through a solid barrier to get there and that the caster has line of effect to the servant at the beginning of its movement for the turn." what's line of effect?? I'm a bit new...
mvincent 03-13-08, 03:41 PM	what's line of effect??From the Glossary (http://www.wizards.com/default.asp?x=dnd/glossary&term=Glossary_dnd_lineofeffect&alpha=L): "line of effect Line of effect tells you whether an effect (such as an explosion) can reach a creature. Line of effect is just like line of sight, except line of effect ignores restrictions on visual ability. For instance, a fireball's explosion doesn't care if a creature is invisible or hiding in darkness." Mind you, the example in the last sentence isn't the best, as a fireball's explosion doesn't technically need LOE, but you get the idea ;)
Santhalas 03-13-08, 04:21 PM	so can i cast my unseen servant in the next room?
mvincent 03-13-08, 04:35 PM	so can i cast my unseen servant in the next room?Only if you have a direct, unimpeded line to the servant (like through an open doorway).
Santhalas 03-13-08, 04:44 PM	Only if you have a direct, unimpeded line to the servant (like through an open doorway). what does unimpeded mean? apparently i DON'T have to be able to see the location where i'm conjuring him... can there be a solid between me and the servant when i'm conjuring? if not... then how small of a crack could there be? would a magical wall of sorts not allow me to cast him beyond the wall?
Seeker95 03-13-08, 06:37 PM	what does unimpeded mean? apparently i DON'T have to be able to see the location where i'm conjuring him...For the most part, yes, you do. The few exceptions to this are less important than the understanding that line of sight is usually equivalent to line of effect. More likely are the circumstances where you have line of sight but not line of effect (through a closed window, for example). can there be a solid between me and the servant when i'm conjuring?No. if not... then how small of a crack could there be?You could cast through the bars of a cage. Maybe even through an arrow slit. But the crack under a door? Probably not. A keyhole? I would say definitely not. would a magical wall of sorts not allow me to cast him beyond the wall?I can't think of a wall of something that would allow you to cast unseen servant on the other side of it.
mvincent 03-13-08, 06:49 PM	what does unimpeded mean?Here (http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/unimpeded) how small of a crack could there be?From the rules (http://www.d20srd.org/srd/magicOverview/spellDescriptions.htm#lineofEffect): "An otherwise solid barrier with a hole of at least 1 square foot through it does not block a spell’s line of effect. Such an opening means that the 5-foot length of wall containing the hole is no longer considered a barrier for purposes of a spell’s line of effect."