how much weight can a flying creature lift?

[BOZ]

we're having this question over in this thread and we're wondering, just how much can a flying creature lift?

for example, the berbalang as we have it has a Str score of 10, but the monster's description says it is able to carry dead humans and fly with them.

any ideas?

 

[Greatwyrm]

From what I've seen, most creatures that used winged flight can't fly with more than a light load. Creatures with (sp) or (su) may have different rules.

 

[Hand of Evil]

Depenps on the creature and depends on the means of flight.

In real life there is lift, wing size, force and stuff like that, even grip. A fast rule of thump (for birds) is 1/3 of body weight but does not always apply.

Fantasy is just that and you will have to go with what is stated in the monster stat blocks.

 

[Sanackranib]

depends on the creatures strength, discription and the damage it has suffered. (holdover from 2e) at 50% damage it cannot fly but still can glide. at 75% damage it cannot glide and must imediatly land or crash.

in the case of the creature that you mentioned I would allow it to carry off the dead since that's what the discription says. however I would consider them to be encumbered and allow on a 1/2 move
if their STR score wouldnt nowmally allow that much weight. basically you have to evaluate it on a case by case basis and consider what is it that allows the creatue to fly. in the case of dragons its magic because wings alone couldn't possibly support such a heavy creature.

hope that helps BOZ

 

[Ashardalon]

Light load it is. From the SRD:

Movement Modes: Creatures may have modes of movement other than walking and running. These are natural, not magical, unless specifically noted in a monster description.

....

Fly: A creature with a fly speed can move through the air at the indicated speed if carrying no more than a light load. (Note that medium armor does not necessarily constitute a medium load.) All fly speeds include a parenthetical note indicating maneuverability, as follows:


...

 

[BOZ]

thanks fellas. we're still debating what to do with this.

 

[Conaill]

Light load it is. From the SRD:
Fly: A creature with a fly speed can move through the air at the indicated speed if carrying no more than a light load.

Yeah, but note that the exact same thing could in theory be said of overland movement rate. E.g. a Human can move overland at the indicated speed of 30 ft if carrying no more than a light load. Doesn't mean he can't move with a Medium or Heavy load. He just won't be moving at "the indicated speed".

I agree with your interpretation, especially since none of the other movement modes have a similar reference to carrying capacity. But it would be nice if they had stated this a bit more unambiguously.

Anyone know if there is some more on this in the actual books? Or in Savage Species perhaps? That one is close enough to 3.5 to consider official.

 

[jasper]

It already there.
Humans move 30 in light armour 20 in medium
So if humans move 20 with light armour and medium load.

 

[BOZ]

also, on the same monster, if you wouldn't mind stating your opinion on how many HD it should have...

 

[Trevalon Moonleirion]

I had to insert the obligatory Holy Grail reference...
S #1: Are you suggesting coconuts migrate?
A : Not at all. They could be carried.
S #1: What? A swallow carrying a coconut?
A: It could grip it by the husk!
S #1: It's not a question of where he grips it! It's a simple question of weight ratios! A five ounce bird could not carry a one pound coconut.
A: Well, it doesn't matter. Will you go and tell your master that Arthur from the Court of Camelot is here.
S #1: Listen. In order to maintain air-speed velocity, a swallow needs to beat its wings forty-three times every second, right?
A: Please!
S #1: Am I right?
A: I'm not interested!
S #2: It could be carried by an African swallow!
S #1: Oh, yeah, an African swallow maybe, but not a European swallow. That's my point.
S #2: Oh, yeah, I agree with that.
A: Will you ask your master if he wants to join my court at Camelot?!
S #1: But then of course a-- African swallows are non-migratory.