Phantom Steed: what can it do?

[F5]

So, I'm really digging the Phantom Steed spell right now. Especially at level 14+...it's like a fly spell that lasts 14 hours and moves you along at a speed of 240 feet. The only drawbacks seem to be its' maneuverability is only average, and you can fall off... At this level I'd argue it's better than the Fly spell, and beats the pants off of a Broom of Flying...

I'm unclear about a few things, though. The spell says the Phantom Steed "won't attack". I'm assuming this means that the entity created by the spell has no attacks of its' own, not that you can't fight at all on a Phantom Steed. If you cast the spell for a fighter with a lance, mounted combat, and spirited charge, there's no reason he couldn't charge into combat as he would with any normal horse, right? It's just that this particular horse is quasi-real, has feet made of mist and will vanish at the end of the day...

Which leads me to the next question: does the phantom steed count as a mount for all the mounted combat feats? I'd assume stuff like trample or overrun is out; the phantom steed doesn't have an attack. But would a rider be able to use Mounted Combat to negate a hit to the Steed? Ride-by attack while "flying" at 240 feet? It is quasi-real, and the spell description gives stats for it (AC, hit points, etc). I would argue that feats and skills that effect riding a normal mount would apply here, too, within reason.

It's conjured with something that "seems to be a saddle, bit and bridle". Is it really a saddle? Could you replace the phantom saddle with a real military saddle, to help prevent falls? Or is it a part of the phantom that can't be removed?

Can the Phantom Steed run? A tireless flying mount that can cover 960 feet per round at a full run seems abusive, to me...

 

[Lord Pendragon]

The steed counts as a horse for all the mounted combat feats, yes. It's a great spell, not just as a Fly spell for the mage, but as you pointed out, for getting the mounted combat specialist in the saddle when his ordinary mount isn't available.

But I wouldn't allow a saddle to be swapped. The bridle and saddle that come with the mount are part and parcel of the spell. It's not an actual animal you can trade out equipment on.

 

[F5]

Thanks. I think that's the best interperetation.

What about the running? The fly spell specifically calls out that you can't run, IIRC, but Phantom Steed doesn't specifically forbid it...

 

[calypso15]

Okay, first, the most direct question: Can a flying creature run?

"A creature can use the run action while flying, provided it flies in a straight line."

So, anything that has a fly speed can run.

Now, the indirect question: Can a Phantom Steed run?

Since the spell says it conjures a horse-like *creature*, and that creature has a fly speed, it can run. Tirelessly. Which means that you can travel 109 mph at caster level 12.

Calypso

 

[Lord Pendragon]

As Calypso says. It's a very nice, often underutilized spell.

 

[F5]

And all for a third-level spell slot, too. That's worth having one less lightning bolt, just about any day of the week...

Thanks.

 

[duhtroll]

I've always said since they nerfed fly in 3.5 that the PS is the new wizard spell for overland travel. now for some skill ranks in ride . . ..

-A

 

[Klaus]

And don't forget that normal animals shun the Phantom Steed and won't attack it.

In 2e I had an illusionist PC who rode a permanent phantom steed.