Can You Hover with the Fly Spell in 5e?
The short, direct answer is: no, the fly spell in 5th Edition Dungeons & Dragons does not inherently grant the ability to hover. While the spell gives a creature a flying speed of 60 feet, it doesn’t bestow the specific trait of hovering. This distinction is crucial because it affects how a character using the fly spell can maneuver in combat and other situations. Let’s delve deeper into the mechanics of flight and hovering in 5e to understand why.
Understanding Flight and Hovering in 5e
In 5e, flight isn’t just about being airborne; it comes with specific rules and limitations. Flight speed dictates how far a creature can move through the air on its turn. However, unlike some video game interpretations, flight in D&D isn’t effortless, particularly for creatures without the hover trait.
The Importance of the Hover Trait
The hover trait is a special ability that is explicitly mentioned in a creature’s stat block. This trait signifies that a creature can remain stationary in the air without needing to move at least half of its flying speed. If a creature possesses this trait, it doesn’t fall when it’s knocked prone, or has its flying speed reduced to 0 by effects like the entangle spell.
Why Fly is Not Hover
The fly spell, despite granting a flying speed, does not include the hover trait. Consequently, a creature under the effects of the fly spell still needs to move at least half of its flying speed to stay aloft. If the target of the spell is somehow unable to move, like from being grappled or restrained, they will fall to the ground when the spell ends unless another effect is able to stop the fall. This is a significant difference compared to creatures with a natural ability to hover. For creatures that are flying through natural means, this means if you’re unable to move you fall, but if you are knocked prone, you can right yourself. A creature with the hover trait stays aloft even when they are knocked prone.
Stationary Flight and Descriptions
When a creature chooses not to move forward but remains airborne, the DM might describe this in various ways: “treading air,” “moving in tight circles,” or even using the term “hovering” colloquially. However, mechanically, this is still considered movement, and the creature is using its flying speed, and if the flying creature doesn’t have the hover trait it still needs to move at least half its flight speed. This can be a bit confusing because the term “hovering” is used in common language to describe both scenarios, but in 5e they are mechanically different.
Common Misconceptions About Flying and Hovering
A frequent mistake is assuming that all creatures with wings can hover effortlessly. While many winged creatures can remain in place by flapping or other means, they still need to exert effort to do so, and they still need to make some movement to keep them airborne if they don’t have the hover trait. This requirement for movement is crucial, and it has implications for combat, exploration, and even role-playing.
Attacks of Opportunity and Flight
It’s important to remember that flying out of reach of an enemy does provoke an attack of opportunity, but remaining in the same spot does not. This allows a flying creature to circle an enemy within melee range as long as they move at least 1/2 their movement speed, but they will provoke an opportunity attack if they choose to fly away.
Dashing and Flying Speed
Another point of confusion is how dashing interacts with flying speed. The Dash action can be used to double a creature’s movement for the turn, whether walking, flying, or otherwise. This means a creature with a fly spell, could fly up to 120 feet in one turn, if they used the dash action.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. Can a winged Tiefling hover?
Yes, and no. All flying creatures can choose to remain stationary in the air, but they cannot “hover” if they don’t have the hover trait. This means a Tiefling, unless the race description specifically includes the hover trait, must use some of its flying speed to stay aloft. They don’t have to move forward, but they still must move, at least half their flying speed, in some way.
2. Can I dash while flying with the fly spell?
Yes! The Dash action increases all your movement speeds, including your flying speed. So, if you have a flying speed of 60 feet from the fly spell, using the dash action would allow you to fly up to 120 feet.
3. What happens when the fly spell ends?
When the fly spell ends, the target falls if it is still aloft unless it can somehow prevent the fall. This could involve a Feather Fall spell or a natural flying ability.
4. Do winged boots grant the ability to hover?
No. While winged boots do give a flying speed, they do not grant the hover trait. If you are knocked prone while wearing winged boots, you will fall to the ground.
5. Can aarakocra fly with wet wings?
Yes. Aarakocra can fly even with wet wings, and a variant, seagull aarakocra, even have a swim speed.
6. Can I fight while flying?
Absolutely! Flying combat is a key part of the game. You can fly above and attack enemies on the ground, move around to positions without other creatures in the way.
7. Can I fly backward?
While 5e doesn’t have specific rules for flying backward, a creature is allowed to move in any direction. If a creature wants to move backwards it can. Most natural flying creatures move forward with their normal flight, but can turn around in the air. Unless the creature is a humming bird.
8. What is a hover speed 5e?
Hover is not a speed in 5e. It’s a trait a creature can have, which means it can remain airborne without having to move at least half their flying speed.
9. Can a Changeling turn into an aarakocra and fly?
No, Changelings can’t drastically change their size or gain physical traits that would allow it to fly. While they could mimic the appearance of an aarakocra, they wouldn’t gain functional wings.
10. Can Aarakocra be any bird?
Yes, with DM permission. Aarakocra can resemble any bird type, such as a flamingo or a penguin. However, this shouldn’t change their abilities unless the DM rules otherwise.
11. Can you dispel winged boots?
Yes, you can use dispel magic on winged boots, but the effect is temporary. While suppressed, the wearer would lose the ability to fly.
12. How fast do winged boots fly?
Winged boots give you a flying speed equal to your walking speed.
13. Can you be knocked prone while flying?
Yes, you can be knocked prone while flying. If you don’t have the hover trait, you’ll fall to the ground. Creatures with the hover trait stay aloft when they are knocked prone.
14. Does the levitate spell let you fly?
No, levitate only allows you to move up and down, not sideways. The fly spell is needed for actual flight movement.
15. How does the hover trait affect combat?
The hover trait allows a creature to remain stationary in the air, even if incapacitated and unable to move (like being grappled). It also means they don’t fall if they are knocked prone. This ability can make a significant difference in combat encounters, providing a strategic advantage.
Conclusion
In conclusion, while the fly spell provides the ability to soar through the air, it doesn’t offer the effortless, stationary flight associated with hovering. Understanding this distinction is essential for tactical gameplay and for properly describing the actions of characters using flight abilities. Remember that the hover trait is a specific attribute, not a default aspect of all flight in 5e.