D&D 5E Can an unseen servant fly?

[jgsugden]

I will point out that the "simple tasks a human servant can do" seems to be tied to the idea of interact with an object, not the movement.

Sage Advice did address this question: In 2002 for the 3E version. It could fly then.

In my games (these are interpretations for the ambiguous spell):

1.) It has to start on the ground - but it can be directed to move into the air and do things in the air - flying, if you will.
2.) It can't attack per se, but it can pull the trigger on a crossbow. That is a +0 to hit bonus with disadvantage because it can't target ...
3.) It is invisible, but it is not hidden. This means that although you can't see it, you know it is there.
4.) It can be used to grant you cover. Attacking it requires you to hit AC 10 - but it is an attack at disadvantage because it is invisible.
5.) It is not quiet. It isn't particularly loud either, but it does not have the ability to be stealthy. DC 10 perception check hears it, and I use passive perception a lot.
6.) The spell ends as soon as you give a command that would take the unseen servant more than 60 feet from you - not once it reaches 60 feet. It disappears when it gets the command, not at the end of 60 feet.
7.) It has a +0 perception, effectively, so it may not be able to hear or see a certain prompt for action. I use the same requirement for Magic Mouth triggers - it is entirely possible the spell won't recognize a trigger because it does not see/hear/smell/feel/taste it. You might tell the Unseen Servant to ring a bell if a creature enters the area - but a stealthy creature can easily sneak by it.

 

[Deset Gled]

I will point out that the "simple tasks a human servant can do" seems to be tied to the idea of interact with an object, not the movement.

Sage Advice did address this question: In 2002 for the 3E version. It could fly then.

It's worth noting that the 3e and 3.5e versions lack the "tasks a human servant can perform" text, and the the Sage Advice was not particularly reliable. It was more Skip Williams answering how he would run it in a game, rather than a rules analysis.

 

[James Gasik]

It's worth noting that the 3e and 3.5e versions lack the "tasks a human servant can perform" text, and the the Sage Advice was not particularly reliable. It was more Skip Williams answering how he would run it in a game, rather than a rules analysis.

Isn't that how developer tweets are supposed to be now as well? Not so much official errata but "this is how I would run it"?

 

[Deset Gled]

Isn't that how developer tweets are supposed to be now as well? Not so much official errata but "this is how I would run it"?

That's the way I would treat it. But I've also been reading arguments about what makes something "official" in the eyes of ENWorld members for more than 20 years, so I don't expect a consensus.

 

[Lanefan]

It's worth noting that the 3e and 3.5e versions lack the "tasks a human servant can perform" text, and the the Sage Advice was not particularly reliable. It was more Skip Williams answering how he would run it in a game, rather than a rules analysis.

Then Skip Williams. Now Jeremy Crawford. Nothng else has changed...

 

[Ancalagon]

"The servant can perform simple tasks that a human servant could do"

I think that's interesting, because .... could a real servant say... clean a chandelier? Yes. They would fetch a ladder, or move a cart or crates etc etc...

So it might not "fly", but it may be able to reach heights, in a "reasonable" way

 

[Paul Farquhar]

"The servant can perform simple tasks that a human servant could do"

I think that's interesting, because .... could a real servant say... clean a chandelier? Yes. They would fetch a ladder, or move a cart or crates etc etc...

So it might not "fly", but it may be able to reach heights, in a "reasonable" way

Sure, the unseen servant can climb a ladder. There is a big difference between not being able to fly and being nailed to the floor.

 

[James Gasik]

If an Unseen Servant has little appreciable mass, they could certainly "jump good".*

*Hella high and far, if you don't get the reference.

 

[greg kaye]

If an Unseen Servant has little appreciable mass, they could certainly "jump good".*

*Hella high and far, if you don't get the reference.

Yeah, if we were to incorporate realism into the game then we could have the likes of bouncing gnomes... Likewise, a halfling, having half in all dimensions would have a quarter cross-section in muscle to typically account for a lower strength but with an eighth of the weight.

As it is 5e just has simple, universal rules for jumping...:
High Jump⁠. When you make a high jump, you leap into the air a number of feet equal to 3 + your Strength modifier (minimum of 0 feet) if you move at least 10 feet on foot immediately before the jump. When you make a standing high jump, you can jump only half that distance. ...

If anything the unseen servant should jump for joy that it's -4 strength modifier doesn't immediately apply.

... In some circumstances, your DM might allow you to make a Strength (Athletics) check to jump higher than you normally can.

That's the only bit where the low strength might possibly be an issue.

 

[Paul Farquhar]

If an Unseen Servant has little appreciable mass, they could certainly "jump good".*

*Hella high and far, if you don't get the reference.

They can do exactly what a human servant could do. A human commoner has a strength of 10, which means they can jump 3 feet vertically and 10 horizontally. It's mass is irrelevant, it's a magical effect that emulates a human servant.