Flying and carrying

[James McMurray]

Are there any rules for how much a creature can carry while flying?

The reason I ask is that the dragon power thread got me to wondering. A dragon with Snatch can pick someone up and fly off, but what are the limits to this? Obviously a small white dragon couldn't pick up an ox, but could a large red pick up a human and still fly?

Should it be a ratio of normal encumbrance? Or am I just missing a rule somewhere entirely?

Thanks!

 

[jgbrowning]

Snatch: A dragon that hits with a claw or bite attack attempts to start a grapple as though it had the improved grab special attack. If the dragon gets a hold with a claw on a creature four or more sizes smaller, it squeezes each round for automatic claw damage. If it gets a hold with its bite on a creature three or more sizes smaller, it automatically deals bite damage each round, or if it does not move and takes no other action in combat, it deals double bite damage to the snatched creature. A snatched creature gets no saving throw against the dragon’s breath weapon. The dragon can drop a creature it has snatched as a free action or use a standard action to fling it aside. A flung creature travels 10 feet, and takes 1d6 points of damage, per age category of the dragon. ****If the dragon flings it while flying, the creature suffers this amount or falling damage, whichever is greater.****

Seems to imply that it can carry a creature who doesnt want to be carried as long as its 4 sizes smaller. Could be that it can effect larger than that but 4 size classes would probably be a conservitive bet.

joe b.

 

[Pax]

Are there any rules for how much a creature can carry while flying?

The reason I ask is that the dragon power thread got me to wondering. A dragon with Snatch can pick someone up and fly off, but what are the limits to this? Obviously a small white dragon couldn't pick up an ox, but could a large red pick up a human and still fly?

Should it be a ratio of normal encumbrance? Or am I just missing a rule somewhere entirely?

Thanks!

Consider the relative size of a "large red dragon", compared to that human. Some dragons are the size of commuter jet planes ... !

And yes, a ratio of encumbrance owudl work. Considering the smallest of dragons still have fearsomely high STR scores ...

 

[Dingleberry]

The MMII says of a Fly speed: "the creature can fly at the given speed if carrying no more than a light load."

Unfortunately, the MM says the same, but with "medium load" - and it wasn't changed in the errata.

 

[Vinyafod]

From the MM, page 7 left column;

"The creature can fly at the listed speed if carrying no more than a medium load...."

From DotF, page 13, table 1-1 Special Mounts;

"Carry: The weight of the heaviest load a mount can carry - the light load limit for a flying mount, or the maximum load (heavy load limit) for a nonflyer....."

So the dragon could carry objects, creatures or whatever all the way through his medium load range i.e. just short of a heavy load.
The Hippogriff carrying the Paladin who is riding it, could not get of the ground if it was carying more than a light load.

Well... whatever... I use the MM for such rulings, because a) its core rule and DotF is supplement, b) a Paladin for instance would only be able to fly on his Mount if it was at least 3rd advancement level so it's strenght increased enough to extend the light load range far enough to carry the Paladin with all his equipment.

Given that, an adult red dragon with a strenght score of 33 could carry up to 6400 pounds while flying (STR 33 maximum medium load is 1600, x4 for being huge). You could even take that times 1.5 if you apply the carrying bonus for having 4 legs but thats arguable if its 2 legs and 2 "arms" or 4 legs.. .. whatever 6400 pounds is enough to carry away a human.. or 2 or 3 or... many....

 

[Conaill]

IIRC, maximum flying load has been corrected in MotW down to Light as well. Makes SO much more sense than Medium load in my opinion.

Yes, your palading may need to invest in some mithril armor and have a packhorse to carry his heavy gear, so what? If you want to have a flying mount, you'd better dress appropriately! (FYI, Light load for a Pegasus mount is 232 lbs)

BTW, flying familiars make for great dive-bombers! Even counting Light load, all but the smallest (e.g. bat) can easily carry a flask of alchemist's fire for example. The stronger birds (e.g. owl) can easily carry a tangleboot bag (4lbs!). If you allow Medium load, things get really out of hand...

 

[AuraSeer]

It could grip it by the husk!

 

[James McMurray]

Thanks folks! I'll go with the light load on this one. Now I just have to add a dragon with Snatch to the game.