I am having an issue calculating how to utilize a Satyr's Mirthful Leaps trait, and how it would affect the character moving forward, focusing on the math and stats. For this question, I'll use the satyr monster stat block's 12 Strength as a fair basis, and assume perfect rolls for maximum distance on the 1d8 from Mirthful Leaps.
The description of the satyr playable race's Mirthful Leaps trait states (MOoT, p. 25):
Whenever you make a long or high jump, you can roll a d8 and add the number rolled to the number of feet you cover, even when making a standing jump. This extra distance costs movement as normal.
While the rules for jumping state the calculation for a long jump as:
When you make a long jump, you cover a number of feet up to your Strength score if you move at least 10 feet on foot immediately before the jump. When you make a standing long jump, you can leap only half that distance. Either way, each foot you clear on the jump costs a foot of movement.
Adding everything together as I understand it, a satyr can either clear a 20-foot-long chasm with a 10-foot running start (12 feet based on their Strength score, +8 more from Mirthful Leaps), leaving them 5 feet extra in case something goes wrong; or the satyr can clear a 14-foot-long chasm ([12/2]+8) without a running start.
This means the satyr has the ability to use nearly all their movement in one long jump, correct?
If that is correct, then I have a follow up:
If your satyr had to cross a terrain during 1 round by leaping from platform to platform (say, to cross a river, or to avoid the many pit traps in a sealed hallway), how would Mirthful Leaps be applied?
- Without a running start, would each leap be up to 14 feet long?
- Would that only apply to the first jump?
- Or would the "Mirthful Leap" of the prior jump be considered a running start for the next, allowing them to jump to the next platform up to 20 feet away?
Edit: Though I am thankful for the answers to the above questions, I have decided to reinstate the question omitted in corrections, as I have still not been able to find understanding on this matter. Though I agree that the linked question does address the application of the mechanic, it doesn't seem to address the terms used that lead to my confusion.
Boots of Striding and Sprinting (emphasis mine):
While you wear these boots, your walking speed becomes 30 feet, unless
your walking speed is higher, and your speed isn't reduced if you are
encumbered or wearing heavy armor. In addition, you can jump three
times the normal distance, though you can't jump farther than your
remaining movement would allow.
- Given a satyr, with a strength score of 12, would be able to long
jump using up to 30 of their 35ft movement, and standing long jump
twice to gain 28 of their 35ft movement thanks to their mirthful leap
ability, would this not make the increase in the jumping distance a rather
a moot point, given you'd spend one attunement to gain 5 out of the
24ft jump increase?
Best Answer
You've got the mechanics right, but you must move with your feet to long jump
Your assessment of jump distances are correct, which really leaves us with the final scenario question.
No triple jumps in D&D
Each jump is separate, and the movement required for a full long jump is 10' with your feet on the ground (my emphasis):
The movement from the first jump is not with your feet on the ground, so it doesn't count for making the long jump no standing. If you want to do a full long jump, you need to use up 10' of your movement with your feet on the ground in that round in order to do so.
The RAW may allow
It's tricky, because what does 'moving on foot' really mean? This isn't a game term and there is some leeway here.
However, I would not allow jumping to be considered moving on foot for the next jump. In this scenario, the Satyr does a standing long jump and lands. Then must do another standing long jump. It doesn't make narrative sense for the second jump in the chain to be longer. Heck, even the field event Triple Jump still involves a run first.