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If a character in Pathfinder falls could they break their fall by flying, or would they fall to their potential death?

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    \$\begingroup\$ If that fails, try attacking the ground and missing. \$\endgroup\$ – John Montgomery Feb 5 '19 at 0:10
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From the Fly skill:

If you are falling and have the ability to fly, you can make a DC 10 Fly check to negate the damage. You cannot make this check if you are falling due to a failed Fly check or a collision. See Falling Damage if you fail this check.

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    \$\begingroup\$ So the flight-capable creature still hits the ground if it's, like, walking along and falls into a pit, yet success on the Fly skill check means that the creature manages to slow its descent to such a degree that the landing's painless? \$\endgroup\$ – Hey I Can Chan Feb 4 '19 at 20:23
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    \$\begingroup\$ Given that you fall down 500 feet in the first round, you probably only have a second or two to react. Enough to cushion the fall, but not enough to actually start flying if you were walking before. More of a special save than an action. \$\endgroup\$ – Draco-S Feb 6 '19 at 9:12
  • \$\begingroup\$ Based on the phrasing "negate the damage" not "fly instead" (or something better but equally different), you do still land and you're on your feet because no damage was taken. A GM can and frequently probably should rule differently if that interpretation doesn't make sense (IE your winged Aasimar fell into an endless pit... you could probably 'catch' yourself before falling 500ft.) \$\endgroup\$ – Ifusaso Feb 6 '19 at 15:38

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