Post/Author/DateTime	Post
#1 keithp Sep 27, 2009 11:41:49	I've read a smattering of Forgotten Realms novels involving Drow. Except for some adventures of Drizzt on the surface, Drow are able to levitate, or at least the noble Drow are able to. But, I have seen no mention of this ability in any 4th edition materials.   Is there an explanation for this omission? Are Drow no longer able to levitate after the Spellplague? Is this something that they can only do underground, barring some other special power?
#2 fishpro Sep 27, 2009 11:48:32	It is not new to 4e; unless I'm gravely mistaken (having sold/given away my 3e books), drow did not get a racial levitation in 3e either.
#3 godwinxz Sep 27, 2009 12:29:08	Back in 3rd edition, drow could gain levitation by taking the Highborn Drow feat from Races of Faerun pg 164.  Other drow could gain levitation from their Drow House Insignia also in Races of Faerun pg 173.  The House Insignia could also have other abilities on it along with the levitation.
#4 Diffan Sep 27, 2009 15:53:40	And the Highborn Drow feat (paragon level) described in the Children of Darkness free PDF gives them a +2 bonus to Arcana checks and allows them the ability to use another racial power called Webs of Darkness listed below: Webs of Darkness; Drow Racial Power Inky tendrils of solidified darkness leap from your fingertip and bind your enemies. Encounter Standard Action            Close blast 3 Target: Each creature in blast Attack: Intelligence +4, Wisdom +4, or Charisma +4 vs. Reflex   Increase to +6 bonus at 21st level Effect: Until the end of your next turn, the target is slowed and all creatures have concealment against the target. But I think you could change it or have an alternate Levitate ability like that of the Wizard's lvl 6 utility but have it so there's not hight limit or penalty to AC/Reflex.
#5 marius4 Sep 28, 2009 12:46:28	And the Highborn Drow feat (paragon level) described in the Children of Darkness free PDF gives them a +2 bonus to Arcana checks and allows them the ability to use another racial power called Webs of Darkness listed below: < snip >  But I think you could change it or have an alternate Levitate ability like that of the Wizard's lvl 6 utility but have it so there's not hight limit or penalty to AC/Reflex. When I saw the feat name "Highborn Drow" I thought for sure it was going to grant levitation.  Nothing wrong with the webs of darkness power itself, but I was a bit disappointed.  I still wonder if there was a design intent to not use levitation for some reason.  Maybe they just wanted something new or thought it was too specific to FR? I'll need to take a look at the levitate wizard utility power for homebrew/house rule use.
#6 Diffan Sep 28, 2009 16:26:28	I was thinking of something like this: Shadow Glide; Drow Racial Power Swirls of darkness wash over you as you asend into the air. Daily Move Action            Personal Effect: You can move you speed plus your Dexterity modifier vertically and remain there, hovering above the ground. While aloft, you have concealment. If some effect ends this power while you are aloft, you descend to the ground without taking falling damage. Sustain Move: You can sustain this power until the end of the encounter or for 5 minutes. When you sustain this power, you can move a number of squares equal to your Dexterity modifier up or down or 3 squares horizontally.
#7 keithp Sep 29, 2009 19:13:15	Thanks everyone for the information and advice. I gather that there has been no change of lore with respect to levitation, but the official game mechanics just don't address it yet.
#8 elantris Aug 10, 2012 14:53:13	It should be hard to fight while levitating, and it should be hard to levitate too high or too long (harder and harder checks each round after the 5th, for example, or make it cost a more important action to maintain it).
#9 mvincent Aug 10, 2012 16:11:24	Some Drow monster stats have levitation, and PC's can obtain it via a drow racial utility power (from Dragon Magazine 405), or a drow theme (from the Neverwinter Campaign Setting).
#10 Diffan Aug 12, 2012 10:40:05	It should be hard to fight while levitating, and it should be hard to levitate too high or too long (harder and harder checks each round after the 5th, for example, or make it cost a more important action to maintain it). It's a 2 turn levitate for 20-ft. in the air + 5-ft. horizontally and you float back down at the end of your second turn. This is the drow theme version, but still, not bad for anyone who's Drow.