D&D 5E Do you allow flighted Player characters to carry other Player characters?

[Lakesidefantasy]

Simple question, do you allow flighted player characters to carry other player characters over obstacles and past encounters?

Are there any rules that address this (other than adding up the weight of everybody's equipment and then deciding to fly them naked across the chasm one at a time as the flighted character then comes back and picks up the gear in maybe two or three trips)?

What about attacking while being carried in flight?

 

[AlViking]

Depends on carrying capacity, including equipment. I also say speed us halved if the weight carried is more than half normal capacity. If you're over normal capacity flight is limited to 1 round, after that land or drop.

Damage in combat is handled by concentration checks, flier can only carry (unless greater size) and character carried is effectively restrained.

I've never seen anything official.

 

[Maxperson]

Simple question, do you allow flighted player characters to carry other player characters over obstacles and past encounters?

I do if the PC would not be heavily+ encumbered by carrying the PC.

Are there any rules that address this (other than adding up the weight of everybody's equipment and then deciding to fly them naked across the chasm one at a time as the flighted character then comes back and picks up the gear in maybe two or three trips)?

I don't think so.

What about attacking while being carried in flight?

I'd allow it, but at disadvantage. You'd have to be attacking while being carried awkwardly and with no leverage.

 

[bloodtide]

Yes.

No. This is way too complex for 5E.

 

[Yaarel]

Simple question, do you allow flighted player characters to carry other player characters over obstacles and past encounters?

Are there any rules that address this (other than adding up the weight of everybody's equipment and then deciding to fly them naked across the chasm one at a time as the flighted character then comes back and picks up the gear in maybe two or three trips)?

What about attacking while being carried in flight?

It depends on the nature of the flight.

My rules of thumb include:

If it is ones own bodyweight, it is a Dexterity check. If it is lifting someone elses bodyweight, it is a Strength Check.

One can always carry a total load equivalent to one Size smaller without worrying about encumbrance. For example, Large Horse carrying Medium Human. No problem. If carrying a load equivalent to ones own Size, it is necessarily an Encumbrance check. If larger, there needs to be an explanation, or else no.

 

[Lakesidefantasy]

I've been going along with it, but it's wearing thin. Makes my Grimtooth finger itchy. Hop, Skip, and, Jump might be fun.

 

[kigmatzomat]

Yes but in accordance to the table's encumbrance rules. I don't usually mix and match encumbrances based on travel mode. So If the winged Solar has full ground movement rate while carrying (strengthx14)lbs, they have the same weight allowance for flight. If they lose 20ft of ground movement while carrying (strengthx14)lbs, they lose 20ft of flight movement.

I sometimes apply a "no saddle" penalty or require athletics/acrobatics.

So example scenarios:

• Human Wizard casts fly on themself while the Goliath Barbarian tries to hold on to them. A) wizard gear + goliath+ goliath gear is likely greater than wizard strength x30, so nothing happens. B) if the wizard had drunk a strength potion or something so it could manage it, apply the table's normal rules for speed reduction. The goliath will need to make periodic athletics checks to hold onto the wizard.
• Human Wizard casts fly on the Goliath Barbarian, who will carry the wizard . Since wizard + wizard gear + goliath gear is likely less than goliath strength x30, off they go. Goliath will periodically need to make athletics tests to continue holding wizard+gear.
• Human Wizard casts fly on the Goliath Barbarian. Wizard plans to "ride" the goliath. Since wizard + wizard gear + goliath gear is likely less than goliath strength x30, off they go. Wizard will need to make acrobatic/ athletics checks to stay on. Combat maneuvers wil add disadvantage.
• Human Wizard casts fly on the Goliath Barbarian for the 37th time. Wizard plans to "ride" the goliath. Goliath at this point has a custom backpack with stirrups and a saddlehorn. Wizard will need to make acrobatic/ athletics checks to stay on during combat.
• Human Wizard casts fly on the Goliath Barbarian for the 64th time. Wizard plans to "ride" the goliath. Goliath at this point has a custom backpack crossed with a combat saddle where the wizard straps in. Wizard will need to make acrobatic/ athletics checks to escape the saddle in less than 2 rounds.

 

[BookTenTiger]

Yes, if it seems reasonable they could carry them. A goliath with flight cast on them is definitely carrying the whole group. An 8-strength Gnome wizard with flight is going to struggle to carry the goliath!

 

[GMMichael]

Simple question, do you allow flighted player characters to carry other player characters over obstacles and past encounters?

Of course! The carried PC must be no larger than the typical prey of the flighted PC, though.

Are there any rules that address this (other than adding up the weight of everybody's equipment and then deciding to fly them naked across the chasm one at a time as the flighted character then comes back and picks up the gear in maybe two or three trips)?

Oh god, I hope not.

What about attacking while being carried in flight?

Sounds like an auto-fail to me, what with the lack of mobility, and chance of stabbing your carrier accidentally.

But if these questions are really, "what should I do," then it depends on your campaign theme. Is it grimdark gritty? No flight. Fantasy superheroes? Whatever would be funny, just add advantage or disadvantage.

 

[Horwath]

depends on STR of the flier and mass of the one being carried.