D&D 5E Paladin Find Steed Spell Question

[auggie]

I was wondering, the steed that is summoned by this 2nd level paladin spell- does this creature need to eat and drink? Also, when it disappears (for whatever reason), all the gear- saddle, bags, bit/bridle, blanket- would just fall to the ground and not disappear along with the steed, correct? Believe me, my players want to know...

 

[Cyrinishad]

After reading the spell description, I would say that only the steed would disappear or be summoned by the spell, not any equipment. The spell specifies that the steed is a spirit, so I would think that eating/drinking would not be required of it.

 

[auggie]

That is my belief as well. Thanks!

 

[jaelis]

A relevant comment from Jeramy Crawford:

Q: Another old find steed question: does a saddled steed remain saddled when returning after being dismissed?
A: That's up to the DM. As DM, I'd have any gear on the steed drop to the ground when the steed disappears.

http://www.sageadvice.eu/2016/08/07...saddled-when-returning-after-being-dismissed/

 

[Blue]

Yeah, and then you find out that you can't carry the barding and saddle you purchased without becoming encumbered. While Jeremy talked about RAF (Rules as Fun) in the first official Sage Advice, I've never seen him do anything that isn't RAW.

Both as player and DM, if the steed could carry it, it would go with them. If you want to blow a precious paladin spell slot to use it to carry a bit more weight, more power to you for being creative. Isn't that part of what the game is about?

 

[TwoSix]

Yeah, and then you find out that you can't carry the barding and saddle you purchased without becoming encumbered. While Jeremy talked about RAF (Rules as Fun) in the first official Sage Advice, I've never seen him do anything that isn't RAW.

Both as player and DM, if the steed could carry it, it would go with them. If you want to blow a precious paladin spell slot to use it to carry a bit more weight, more power to you for being creative. Isn't that part of what the game is about?

Yea, that's a pretty awful DM ruling. Why would you want to maximize the Encumbrance: The Accounting portion of the game?

 

[auggie]

I see your points on this. I'm not out to harass my players, so most likely I'll rule that what the steed caries will disappear with them. I'll assume that the steed does not need to eat/drink/sleep as well...

 

[jaelis]

Myself, I would play that just the saddle and riding gear stay with the steed. I wouldn't let you use it as extradimensional storage for treasure and items that you've loaded the steed up with. Plus a paladin's mount is supposed to be there for combat, not carrying stuff

 

[Blue]

Myself, I would play that just the saddle and riding gear stay with the steed. I wouldn't let you use it as extradimensional storage for treasure and items that you've loaded the steed up with. Plus a paladin's mount is supposed to be there for combat, not carrying stuff

If it was only there for combat it would have a bonus action casting time and a short duration. It's pretty clear that uses besides combat, like traveling are part of it.

Actually, with 19 HPs unless your DM is generous (which can't happen at AL games), by 5th level when you get it the mount spell is nigh-useless in combat. Gets killed very quickly by AoE.

 

[Cyrinishad]

I agree with Crawford's DM ruling on this. I've never seen encumbrance rules as detracting from the fun of the game. Quite the contrary, I see it as an essential part of game balance.