Can Feather Fall be used to arrest falling at any point?

The name of the pictureThe name of the pictureThe name of the pictureClash Royale CLAN TAG#URR8PPP





.everyoneloves__top-leaderboard:empty,.everyoneloves__mid-leaderboard:empty margin-bottom:0;







up vote
4
down vote

favorite












Can the spell feather fall be used to stop you/others falling at any point in the fall, or just at the start of the fall?



For example, could a character jump from a very large height, descend rapidly at freefall (which as we know from Xanathar's Guide to Everything, is 500 feet/round), then cast feather fall once they are 60 feet above the ground?










share|improve this question





























    up vote
    4
    down vote

    favorite












    Can the spell feather fall be used to stop you/others falling at any point in the fall, or just at the start of the fall?



    For example, could a character jump from a very large height, descend rapidly at freefall (which as we know from Xanathar's Guide to Everything, is 500 feet/round), then cast feather fall once they are 60 feet above the ground?










    share|improve this question

























      up vote
      4
      down vote

      favorite









      up vote
      4
      down vote

      favorite











      Can the spell feather fall be used to stop you/others falling at any point in the fall, or just at the start of the fall?



      For example, could a character jump from a very large height, descend rapidly at freefall (which as we know from Xanathar's Guide to Everything, is 500 feet/round), then cast feather fall once they are 60 feet above the ground?










      share|improve this question















      Can the spell feather fall be used to stop you/others falling at any point in the fall, or just at the start of the fall?



      For example, could a character jump from a very large height, descend rapidly at freefall (which as we know from Xanathar's Guide to Everything, is 500 feet/round), then cast feather fall once they are 60 feet above the ground?







      dnd-5e spells reactions falling






      share|improve this question















      share|improve this question













      share|improve this question




      share|improve this question








      edited 2 hours ago









      V2Blast

      15.5k235101




      15.5k235101










      asked 2 hours ago









      Vigil

      5,2342262




      5,2342262




















          2 Answers
          2






          active

          oldest

          votes

















          up vote
          2
          down vote













          The Rules are Unclear



          Your question is reasonable, because Feather Fall's casting time might lead you to conclude that it can only be used at the start of a fall:




          Casting Time: 1 reaction, which you take when you or a creature within 60 feet of you falls.




          The issue at hand is that "falls" has two relevant definitions (as a verb):




          1.) move downward, typically rapidly and freely without control, from a higher to a lower level.



          2.)(of a person) lose one's balance and collapse. "she fell down at school today"



          (Source: Google's dictionary)




          If we use use the second definition, then the "fall" only happens "when" the creature begins descending. But if we use the first definition, then someone "falls" whenever they are still descending under the influence of gravity (e.g. "during this round, the creature falls").



          The spell has considerably reduced utility if it can only be cast at the start of a fall. For example, since it only lasts a minute, it could not save a creature from a fall of more than 600 feet. And since it has a range of 60 feet, it also could not be used to save a creature that falls from higher than that above a spellcaster. It seems likely that a DM would rule that it can be used during a creature's descent, to stop it from being an extremely niche use spell, but it is up to the individual DM.



          Using When 60 feet above the ground



          Let's assume, for the moment, that your DM permits you to cast Feather Fall during a fall, not just at its start. Your example (casting it when you are within 60 feet of the ground) still may not work as you intended.



          If you want to cast the spell when you are within 60 feet of the ground after falling normally for an extended period, you are essentially asking to cast it when you will spend exactly one round falling gently, and then still be able to use your full movement on the ground (an understandable goal). But while you fall, you do not have an accurate readout of their current height at your disposal. And if you have been falling for 500 feet, you are moving very fast (realistically, you will have less than half a second to cast the spell while you are within 60 feet of the ground: and if you are moving 500 feet in 6 seconds, the timing is similar). You might cast the spell too soon, and be more than 60 feet above the ground, or too late (and splat).



          A DM could call for any type of check (Perception, for example) with whatever DC they wished if you wanted to attempt a "HALO" style jump with the Feather Fall spell. Although "rule of cool" could certainly grant you some leeway, you might want to check with your DM before you attempted this tactic.






          share|improve this answer





























            up vote
            0
            down vote













            To avoid falling damage, the spell must be cast when the creatures are no more than 600 ft from the ground because it slows their falling speed to 60 ft/round and lasts for 10 rounds.



            If they are still in the air at the end of the duration then they fall, probably taking damage.






            share|improve this answer




















              Your Answer




              StackExchange.ifUsing("editor", function ()
              return StackExchange.using("mathjaxEditing", function ()
              StackExchange.MarkdownEditor.creationCallbacks.add(function (editor, postfix)
              StackExchange.mathjaxEditing.prepareWmdForMathJax(editor, postfix, [["\$", "\$"]]);
              );
              );
              , "mathjax-editing");

              StackExchange.ready(function()
              var channelOptions =
              tags: "".split(" "),
              id: "122"
              ;
              initTagRenderer("".split(" "), "".split(" "), channelOptions);

              StackExchange.using("externalEditor", function()
              // Have to fire editor after snippets, if snippets enabled
              if (StackExchange.settings.snippets.snippetsEnabled)
              StackExchange.using("snippets", function()
              createEditor();
              );

              else
              createEditor();

              );

              function createEditor()
              StackExchange.prepareEditor(
              heartbeatType: 'answer',
              convertImagesToLinks: false,
              noModals: false,
              showLowRepImageUploadWarning: true,
              reputationToPostImages: null,
              bindNavPrevention: true,
              postfix: "",
              noCode: true, onDemand: true,
              discardSelector: ".discard-answer"
              ,immediatelyShowMarkdownHelp:true
              );



              );













               

              draft saved


              draft discarded


















              StackExchange.ready(
              function ()
              StackExchange.openid.initPostLogin('.new-post-login', 'https%3a%2f%2frpg.stackexchange.com%2fquestions%2f132722%2fcan-feather-fall-be-used-to-arrest-falling-at-any-point%23new-answer', 'question_page');

              );

              Post as a guest






























              2 Answers
              2






              active

              oldest

              votes








              2 Answers
              2






              active

              oldest

              votes









              active

              oldest

              votes






              active

              oldest

              votes








              up vote
              2
              down vote













              The Rules are Unclear



              Your question is reasonable, because Feather Fall's casting time might lead you to conclude that it can only be used at the start of a fall:




              Casting Time: 1 reaction, which you take when you or a creature within 60 feet of you falls.




              The issue at hand is that "falls" has two relevant definitions (as a verb):




              1.) move downward, typically rapidly and freely without control, from a higher to a lower level.



              2.)(of a person) lose one's balance and collapse. "she fell down at school today"



              (Source: Google's dictionary)




              If we use use the second definition, then the "fall" only happens "when" the creature begins descending. But if we use the first definition, then someone "falls" whenever they are still descending under the influence of gravity (e.g. "during this round, the creature falls").



              The spell has considerably reduced utility if it can only be cast at the start of a fall. For example, since it only lasts a minute, it could not save a creature from a fall of more than 600 feet. And since it has a range of 60 feet, it also could not be used to save a creature that falls from higher than that above a spellcaster. It seems likely that a DM would rule that it can be used during a creature's descent, to stop it from being an extremely niche use spell, but it is up to the individual DM.



              Using When 60 feet above the ground



              Let's assume, for the moment, that your DM permits you to cast Feather Fall during a fall, not just at its start. Your example (casting it when you are within 60 feet of the ground) still may not work as you intended.



              If you want to cast the spell when you are within 60 feet of the ground after falling normally for an extended period, you are essentially asking to cast it when you will spend exactly one round falling gently, and then still be able to use your full movement on the ground (an understandable goal). But while you fall, you do not have an accurate readout of their current height at your disposal. And if you have been falling for 500 feet, you are moving very fast (realistically, you will have less than half a second to cast the spell while you are within 60 feet of the ground: and if you are moving 500 feet in 6 seconds, the timing is similar). You might cast the spell too soon, and be more than 60 feet above the ground, or too late (and splat).



              A DM could call for any type of check (Perception, for example) with whatever DC they wished if you wanted to attempt a "HALO" style jump with the Feather Fall spell. Although "rule of cool" could certainly grant you some leeway, you might want to check with your DM before you attempted this tactic.






              share|improve this answer


























                up vote
                2
                down vote













                The Rules are Unclear



                Your question is reasonable, because Feather Fall's casting time might lead you to conclude that it can only be used at the start of a fall:




                Casting Time: 1 reaction, which you take when you or a creature within 60 feet of you falls.




                The issue at hand is that "falls" has two relevant definitions (as a verb):




                1.) move downward, typically rapidly and freely without control, from a higher to a lower level.



                2.)(of a person) lose one's balance and collapse. "she fell down at school today"



                (Source: Google's dictionary)




                If we use use the second definition, then the "fall" only happens "when" the creature begins descending. But if we use the first definition, then someone "falls" whenever they are still descending under the influence of gravity (e.g. "during this round, the creature falls").



                The spell has considerably reduced utility if it can only be cast at the start of a fall. For example, since it only lasts a minute, it could not save a creature from a fall of more than 600 feet. And since it has a range of 60 feet, it also could not be used to save a creature that falls from higher than that above a spellcaster. It seems likely that a DM would rule that it can be used during a creature's descent, to stop it from being an extremely niche use spell, but it is up to the individual DM.



                Using When 60 feet above the ground



                Let's assume, for the moment, that your DM permits you to cast Feather Fall during a fall, not just at its start. Your example (casting it when you are within 60 feet of the ground) still may not work as you intended.



                If you want to cast the spell when you are within 60 feet of the ground after falling normally for an extended period, you are essentially asking to cast it when you will spend exactly one round falling gently, and then still be able to use your full movement on the ground (an understandable goal). But while you fall, you do not have an accurate readout of their current height at your disposal. And if you have been falling for 500 feet, you are moving very fast (realistically, you will have less than half a second to cast the spell while you are within 60 feet of the ground: and if you are moving 500 feet in 6 seconds, the timing is similar). You might cast the spell too soon, and be more than 60 feet above the ground, or too late (and splat).



                A DM could call for any type of check (Perception, for example) with whatever DC they wished if you wanted to attempt a "HALO" style jump with the Feather Fall spell. Although "rule of cool" could certainly grant you some leeway, you might want to check with your DM before you attempted this tactic.






                share|improve this answer
























                  up vote
                  2
                  down vote










                  up vote
                  2
                  down vote









                  The Rules are Unclear



                  Your question is reasonable, because Feather Fall's casting time might lead you to conclude that it can only be used at the start of a fall:




                  Casting Time: 1 reaction, which you take when you or a creature within 60 feet of you falls.




                  The issue at hand is that "falls" has two relevant definitions (as a verb):




                  1.) move downward, typically rapidly and freely without control, from a higher to a lower level.



                  2.)(of a person) lose one's balance and collapse. "she fell down at school today"



                  (Source: Google's dictionary)




                  If we use use the second definition, then the "fall" only happens "when" the creature begins descending. But if we use the first definition, then someone "falls" whenever they are still descending under the influence of gravity (e.g. "during this round, the creature falls").



                  The spell has considerably reduced utility if it can only be cast at the start of a fall. For example, since it only lasts a minute, it could not save a creature from a fall of more than 600 feet. And since it has a range of 60 feet, it also could not be used to save a creature that falls from higher than that above a spellcaster. It seems likely that a DM would rule that it can be used during a creature's descent, to stop it from being an extremely niche use spell, but it is up to the individual DM.



                  Using When 60 feet above the ground



                  Let's assume, for the moment, that your DM permits you to cast Feather Fall during a fall, not just at its start. Your example (casting it when you are within 60 feet of the ground) still may not work as you intended.



                  If you want to cast the spell when you are within 60 feet of the ground after falling normally for an extended period, you are essentially asking to cast it when you will spend exactly one round falling gently, and then still be able to use your full movement on the ground (an understandable goal). But while you fall, you do not have an accurate readout of their current height at your disposal. And if you have been falling for 500 feet, you are moving very fast (realistically, you will have less than half a second to cast the spell while you are within 60 feet of the ground: and if you are moving 500 feet in 6 seconds, the timing is similar). You might cast the spell too soon, and be more than 60 feet above the ground, or too late (and splat).



                  A DM could call for any type of check (Perception, for example) with whatever DC they wished if you wanted to attempt a "HALO" style jump with the Feather Fall spell. Although "rule of cool" could certainly grant you some leeway, you might want to check with your DM before you attempted this tactic.






                  share|improve this answer














                  The Rules are Unclear



                  Your question is reasonable, because Feather Fall's casting time might lead you to conclude that it can only be used at the start of a fall:




                  Casting Time: 1 reaction, which you take when you or a creature within 60 feet of you falls.




                  The issue at hand is that "falls" has two relevant definitions (as a verb):




                  1.) move downward, typically rapidly and freely without control, from a higher to a lower level.



                  2.)(of a person) lose one's balance and collapse. "she fell down at school today"



                  (Source: Google's dictionary)




                  If we use use the second definition, then the "fall" only happens "when" the creature begins descending. But if we use the first definition, then someone "falls" whenever they are still descending under the influence of gravity (e.g. "during this round, the creature falls").



                  The spell has considerably reduced utility if it can only be cast at the start of a fall. For example, since it only lasts a minute, it could not save a creature from a fall of more than 600 feet. And since it has a range of 60 feet, it also could not be used to save a creature that falls from higher than that above a spellcaster. It seems likely that a DM would rule that it can be used during a creature's descent, to stop it from being an extremely niche use spell, but it is up to the individual DM.



                  Using When 60 feet above the ground



                  Let's assume, for the moment, that your DM permits you to cast Feather Fall during a fall, not just at its start. Your example (casting it when you are within 60 feet of the ground) still may not work as you intended.



                  If you want to cast the spell when you are within 60 feet of the ground after falling normally for an extended period, you are essentially asking to cast it when you will spend exactly one round falling gently, and then still be able to use your full movement on the ground (an understandable goal). But while you fall, you do not have an accurate readout of their current height at your disposal. And if you have been falling for 500 feet, you are moving very fast (realistically, you will have less than half a second to cast the spell while you are within 60 feet of the ground: and if you are moving 500 feet in 6 seconds, the timing is similar). You might cast the spell too soon, and be more than 60 feet above the ground, or too late (and splat).



                  A DM could call for any type of check (Perception, for example) with whatever DC they wished if you wanted to attempt a "HALO" style jump with the Feather Fall spell. Although "rule of cool" could certainly grant you some leeway, you might want to check with your DM before you attempted this tactic.







                  share|improve this answer














                  share|improve this answer



                  share|improve this answer








                  edited 1 hour ago

























                  answered 1 hour ago









                  Gandalfmeansme

                  12.6k24586




                  12.6k24586






















                      up vote
                      0
                      down vote













                      To avoid falling damage, the spell must be cast when the creatures are no more than 600 ft from the ground because it slows their falling speed to 60 ft/round and lasts for 10 rounds.



                      If they are still in the air at the end of the duration then they fall, probably taking damage.






                      share|improve this answer
























                        up vote
                        0
                        down vote













                        To avoid falling damage, the spell must be cast when the creatures are no more than 600 ft from the ground because it slows their falling speed to 60 ft/round and lasts for 10 rounds.



                        If they are still in the air at the end of the duration then they fall, probably taking damage.






                        share|improve this answer






















                          up vote
                          0
                          down vote










                          up vote
                          0
                          down vote









                          To avoid falling damage, the spell must be cast when the creatures are no more than 600 ft from the ground because it slows their falling speed to 60 ft/round and lasts for 10 rounds.



                          If they are still in the air at the end of the duration then they fall, probably taking damage.






                          share|improve this answer












                          To avoid falling damage, the spell must be cast when the creatures are no more than 600 ft from the ground because it slows their falling speed to 60 ft/round and lasts for 10 rounds.



                          If they are still in the air at the end of the duration then they fall, probably taking damage.







                          share|improve this answer












                          share|improve this answer



                          share|improve this answer










                          answered 1 hour ago









                          Greenstone Walker

                          13.4k2765




                          13.4k2765



























                               

                              draft saved


                              draft discarded















































                               


                              draft saved


                              draft discarded














                              StackExchange.ready(
                              function ()
                              StackExchange.openid.initPostLogin('.new-post-login', 'https%3a%2f%2frpg.stackexchange.com%2fquestions%2f132722%2fcan-feather-fall-be-used-to-arrest-falling-at-any-point%23new-answer', 'question_page');

                              );

                              Post as a guest













































































                              Comments

                              Popular posts from this blog

                              Long meetings (6-7 hours a day): Being “babysat” by supervisor

                              Is the Concept of Multiple Fantasy Races Scientifically Flawed? [closed]

                              Confectionery