Battle standard on a wagon

[eriktheguy]

Battle standards are cool, always have been, even non-magical ones.
Wagons are freakin' awesome, no questions there.
So what if you combine them? Stick a battle standard on a wagon, chariot etc and ride into combat! Now you don't have to waste a standard action plunking it down, and you look cool riding into combat. Is this legal!?

 

[Dr_Ruminahui]

Well, except for the "don't use a standard action plunking it down" I don't see why not.

You still need to use the standard action, because that's what activates the effect. Without using it, all you've got is a bit of cloth on a stick.

 

[MarkB]

Well, the Battle Standard's effect last until it is "removed from the ground". Depending upon the GM, that might mean that the standard won't function from a moving vehicle at all, or that it becomes removed from the ground each time the wagon moves.

 

[Artoomis]

Well, the Battle Standard's effect last until it is "removed from the ground". Depending upon the GM, that might mean that the standard won't function from a moving vehicle at all, or that it becomes removed from the ground each time the wagon moves.

I suppose you could fill a wagon with dirt...

That would be one heavy wagon, though.

 

[Ryujin]

I would consider that an attempt to circumvent the intent of the item, which is to "claim the ground." You know, like taking that hill and planting your flag? "I claim this cart in the name of Freeholdia" just doesn't have quite the ring to it.

I wouldn't allow it.

 

[DracoSuave]

Battle Standards are magic items.

Magic items require activation in order to function.

This usually includes some sort of act upon the part of the player.

Now, not only could you not use a wagon to transport a battle standard, you can't take the standard action to plant the battle standard on the wagon to begin with. It requires -ground-.

Now. Is a dumptruck filled with dirt 'The ground?' No? Then a wagon filled with less dirt isn't either.

Seriously. Common sense, people.

 

[fba827]

while i admire the creativity, it just is open for too much abuse.

at it's core, it is a magic item and you are a) removing the activation requirement and b) making it much more mobile-in-combat than it is meant to be. While not compensating by use of any chance of failure or lessened effect.

If it is to be used this (admitedly cool) way, it needs some sort balance for those two things that it now 'breaks' and without essentially making a whole new magic item or houseruling the item up to wazoo, i think it'd be more trouble than its worth.

 

[Benlo]

If you just want to fly the flag to rally your troops, hey, power to you. Hell, as the DM, I might even make the "morale boost" something tangible.

Would I, as a DM, allow this use of it, though, to activate it as normal without the usual drawbacks? Nice try, clever, but no.

 

[Nifft]

Does the tactical map consist of a cart (which might be some kind of giant-wrought, behemoth-borne monstrosity)? If so, sure, you can plant the standard on part of the cart.

Is the cart a tactical, mobile element on the map? Then no, you can't, just like you can't plant it in the Earth Genasi.

Cheers, -- N

 

[Dr_Ruminahui]

Well, as a DM, I would be wary of too narrowly interpreting the requirement "to plant it in the ground" - after all, such would prevent its use on a ship, or on a bridge, or perhaps even somewhere with rock/metal flooring... personally, I think allowing the PCs' to plant the banner in such scenarios is part of the "saying yes" mentallity.

That said, I would be very reluctant to allow the planting of the flag in a situation such as the OP's, which seems designed to circumvent two obvious limitations of the item.