Confounded Rules! Spotlight: Melee Movement in AD&D

Dungeoneers Guild Games

Dec 25, 2025

1 min read

Updated: 5 days ago

Melee movement in AD&D raises questions about striking range, spellcasting, breaking off, and falling back. This guide compares the First Edition rules for each situation.

This article examines and clarifies the rules governing combat movement in First Edition Advanced Dungeons & Dragons.

By R. Nelson Bailey

Wizard in red robes casts a spell at a green orc holding a dagger. They stand on a grid with two dice, against a starry purple sky.

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2 Comments

Papyrolf

Mar 17

About Casting and Movement.

DMG p52, says about adventuring in the air,

"Fly spell: Utilizing a fly spell takes as much concentration as walking, so most spells could be cast while flying, either while hovering or moving slowly (3” or less)."

Could we say from that, that spell casting is possible while walking at 3'' (or less) movement rate ?

Dungeoneers Guild Games

Mar 17

Replying to

No, spells cannot be cast while walking. This is clearly spelled out on p. 65 of DMG under the SPELL CASTING DURING MELEE section: “Spells cannot be cast while violently moving - such as running, dodging a blow, or even walking normally.”