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

[ECMO3]

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?

Provided they are not more than one size larger, are not over their carrying capacity and the person carrying has a free hand. That would be a grapple and all the rules for grappling would apply (the one being carried could intentionally fail the check).

PCs that are one size smaller can also ride a larger PC like a mount, to include riding a flying PC and then the flying PC does not need to use an attack or action to pick them up (grapple them).

In both cases they still have two distinct turns, so yes an attack can be made, but if it is a melee attack the bad guy has to be within reach on the attackers turn.

 

[cbwjm]

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?

If the flier is strong enough, I would allow it.

As for attacking while being carried in flight, I'd also allow that, probably gonna be at disadvantage though.

This reminded me of the faerie character (homebrew race) my friend played that was a fighter with that giant subclass. As a faerie they probably couldn't carry anyone due to being tiny but when they switched to large size, not a problem.

 

[TaranTheWanderer]

I tried to make a coconut/swallow joke into a Wizard/ Goliath joke but I couldn’t make it work. All I can say is it’s a matter of air-speed velocity

 

[Stalker0]

Provided they are not more than one size larger, are not over their carrying capacity and the person carrying has a free hand. That would be a grapple and all the rules for grappling would apply (the one being carried could intentionally fail the check).

I think grapple is a reasonable way to go, though I would argue carrying a willing party member (who might even hold on to you and ease the weight distribution) is a lot easier than moving a person actively trying to free themselves from your grasp and who probably also is trying to harm you.

So while I think its certainly an easy set of rules to utilize for this, I also see no problem with carrying someone being easier than what grapple would allow.

 

[Bae'zel]

Sure if it narratively makes sense. On a case by case basis.

If the players start cheesing it then you can bet I’ll start to bring down the rules hammer.

Example: gave a magic item to a player that doubles natural healing rate while worn (eg, doubled the effectiveness of hit dice used during rests). Seemed like a good idea at the time. Then the player smugly proclaimed that everyone would get a turn to wear it during a short rest. That’s when I realized that I had to be more strict. Requires attunement, only works passively during the rest time, not some instant effect.

 

[jgsugden]

If the rules do not specify for a situation, I apply the following:

Physical Flight: If they're using wings to fly and 'not magic', then the creature has to be able to carry the weight and not be encumbered (ie, be beneath their carry weight). Accordingly, a medium strength 10 creature can carry 150 lbs of equipment and other beings while flying. A 20 strength character 300. However, a 10 strength huge creature can carry 600 lbs.

Magical Flight: I pick an attribute for the flyer and use it in place of strength. For example, if someone dominated a beholder and then wanted to use it as a taxi, I'd look up the stats, see a 17 intelligence and a large size and determine it could carry a little over 500 lbs.

Yes, players with magical flight have figured out that polymorph and enlarge allow them to carry a lot. It is perfectly fine. The Quetzalcoatlus was a common summon for moving around 900 lbs, but so was eight giant bats that can each move 450 lbs (for a total of 3600 lbs).

 

[AnotherGuy]

No. This is way too complex for 5E.

Not complex.

Flyer
Carrying and lifting rules exist in the PHB along with the effect on movement.

Passenger - Attacking
If the PC is being held, I'd consider them Grappled and Restrained.
If the PC is holding on, then they are not Grappled, but they would suffer the effects of Restrained to hold on.
Futhermore, they would suffer the normal restrictions regarding the use of free hands.
As GM I would also impose the Facing Rules within the DMG.

 

[Ralif Redhammer]

Using the Fly spell, no. If they want more than one PC to be airborne, they need to upcast the spell.

For PCs with a natural fly speed, that probably depends. An Aarakocra might be able to carry a small or lightly armored PC, but not a Goliath or plate mail-wearing sort. A wildshaped druid would depend on the creature whose form they take.

 

[AlViking]

I tried to make a coconut/swallow joke into a Wizard/ Goliath joke but I couldn’t make it work. All I can say is it’s a matter of air-speed velocity

I assume you were looking for some variation of

me: Is the wizard or the goliath the one flying?​

you: I don't know ... aaaaaarrrrrghhhh​

 

[Steampunkette]

If the flying character is doing it under their own power (Wings) then they can carry another creature based on carrying capacity. The carrier cannot do combat because their hands are occupied unless they're casting V only spells.

If they're under the Fly spell, no. The spell is what's lifting you into the air, not your Strength score.

If they're using the Broom of Flying or another magic item that functions as a vehicle: Sure. As long as the total load on the brook is within the weight limit of the item.