D&D 5E Intelligence and Mounts

[TheBDU]

So in the PH it states that an intelligent creature acts on its own. At what threshold is a creature considered intelligent? I believe that in older editions a beast with an intelligence of 2 and under was considered an animal and unintelligent. One example is the elephant. Its intelligence used to be a 2 and fit into these parameters. However, in 5th edition it has an intelligence of 3. An elephant is DEFINITELY an animal.


Another thing I was wondering is how does a creatre react if you let it control itself. Let's take the warhorse for an example. It is a domesticated unintelligent creature that you CAN directly control. This, however, means that you cannot use its abilities such as charge and hoof attack. If i were to relinquish control to the warhorse, it could use actions such as charge and hooves, but what would it actually do? Would it run from combat? If I had speak with animals could i coerce it into attacking my target with a persuasion check?


Any and all help would be appreciated.

 

[jadrax]

I think I would pretty much go by languages, if its "-" it is not an intelligent creature.

There may be exceptions to this rule of thumb.

 

[TheBDU]

You are BRILLIANT. I think that is exactly it. Do you have any insight on the second part of my post?

 

[MoutonRustique]

If it's a horse - it'll run.

If it's a draft* horse and the creatures attacking it are small (humans-sized or smaller) it'll buck a few times, bite a few times and then sort of "jump away" from the immediate fight. If it's attacked again, it'll run away.

If it's a warhorse (draft horse sized and trained for war), it will stand still unless attacked - even then, it might not move unless the attack was very painful. If it is YOUR warhorse (trained to recognize YOU as the rider), it will attempt to stand by your side and bite and kick creatures that get near to you or it - in addition, if you fall down, it will attempt to move over you and will defend you by attacking creatures that come close.

This is what I know of IRL horses - now, I may be wrong, and this is D&D. So... ask your DM and discuss what you believe a warmount (not just horse) is trained to do.

If you could talk to a warhorse, I see very little reason why it would not act like a simple-minded but /intense/ warrior.

Edit: *by draft horse, I mean the horses that are heavier than many elephants - not the ye old horse pulling a cart. These bad boys.

 

[jrowland]

re: 2nd part

In most cases, unintelligent creatures would simply "get out of the way", ie run. A trained Warhorse might move to stand near master, but that is about it.

UNLESS attacked and/or cornered. A trained warhorse might rear and attack if attacked (and near its master as trained or cornered) but some creatures still would just run...such as a bunny...bunnies run...unless it is the Rabbit of Caerbannog. it always attacks.

Mostly, use your judgement. Food runs, predators attack if cornered (or very hungry) but prefer to run, Honey Badgers, Wolverines, Rutting Boar, probably attack if it makes for a better story at the table.

 

[TheBDU]

Thanks for your input guys, I think I'll just take control to be safe.

 

[gyor]

The mount summoned by find steed is clearly intelligent, it has 6 intelligence, it can understand one langauge that you do, so if you want an intelligent mount, find steed is a good way to go.