Unlocking the Skies: Choosing the Best Greater Steed in D&D 5e

The Find Greater Steed spell is a game-changer for Paladins and other classes who gain access to it, offering not just transportation but a powerful combat ally. Determining the “best” choice depends heavily on your playstyle, campaign setting, and party composition, but generally, the Pegasus reigns supreme due to its impressive fly speed, decent hit points, and tactical advantages provided by aerial mobility. However, the other options each have strengths that might make them a better fit for your specific needs. Let’s delve deeper into the options and explore their unique benefits.

Greater Steed Options: A Comprehensive Overview

The Find Greater Steed spell grants you access to a spirit that takes the form of one of the following mounts:

• Griffon: A formidable aerial predator with a powerful dive attack. Offers a mix of strength and speed.
• Pegasus: The classic winged horse, renowned for its unmatched flight speed and grace.
• Peryton: A more monstrous winged creature with a unique attack: diving and ripping out the target’s heart (flavorful, if not mechanically impactful).
• Dire Wolf: A powerful ground-based predator, excellent for tracking and combat in forests and other rough terrain.
• Rhinoceros: A tanky, hard-hitting beast perfect for charging into the fray.
• Saber-Toothed Tiger: A stealthy and agile predator, ideal for ambushes and skirmishes.

Evaluating the Contenders: Which Steed is Right for You?

While the Pegasus often wins out, consider these factors when making your decision:

• Combat Role: Do you need a front-line fighter (Rhinoceros, Dire Wolf), a mobile skirmisher (Saber-Toothed Tiger, Griffon), or a highly maneuverable aerial platform (Pegasus, Peryton)?
• Terrain: Is your campaign set in a dense forest (Dire Wolf), open plains (Rhinoceros), or a sky-filled world (Pegasus, Griffon)?
• Party Synergy: Does your party lack melee damage (Rhinoceros, Dire Wolf), scouting capabilities (Saber-Toothed Tiger), or aerial support (Pegasus, Griffon)?
• Personal Preference: Do you prefer the noble image of a Pegasus or the more savage nature of a Dire Wolf? Aesthetics matter!

Pegasus: The King of the Skies

The Pegasus’s unparalleled fly speed allows for quick travel, easy escapes, and strategic positioning during combat. Its ability to easily traverse obstacles and difficult terrain makes it incredibly versatile. While its damage output is lower than some of the other options, its ability to keep you safe and deliver spells from above makes it a potent choice.

Griffon: The Hybrid Powerhouse

The Griffon offers a balance of strength and speed. Its Dive Attack can be devastating, and its overall combat prowess is higher than the Pegasus. However, it lacks the Pegasus’s sheer speed and maneuverability.

Dire Wolf, Rhinoceros, and Saber-Toothed Tiger: Grounded Powerhouses

These options excel on the ground. The Dire Wolf provides excellent tracking and pack tactics, the Rhinoceros offers unmatched charging power, and the Saber-Toothed Tiger delivers stealth and agility. If your campaign focuses on ground-based combat, these steeds can be incredibly valuable.

Peryton: The Dark Horse (or Bird?)

The Peryton is often overlooked, but its unique abilities can be surprisingly effective. While its “heart ripping” ability is more flavorful than impactful, it offers a decent fly speed and can be a good alternative to the Pegasus if you want something a little different.

Find Steed vs. Find Greater Steed: A Power Upgrade

It’s crucial to remember the distinction between Find Steed and Find Greater Steed. The former provides access to mundane mounts like warhorses and ponies, while the latter offers access to these powerful, often magical creatures. The increased power and versatility of Find Greater Steed are well worth the higher spell slot.

Mastering Mounted Combat

Regardless of your chosen steed, understanding mounted combat rules is essential. Remember that you can control your mount’s movement or allow it to act independently. Coordinating your actions with your mount can create powerful synergies, allowing you to unleash devastating attacks and control the battlefield.

A Note on Customization and Flavor

Don’t be afraid to work with your DM to customize your steed. While the spell lists specific options, your DM might be willing to allow variations or reskins to better fit your character’s theme and backstory. Perhaps your Pegasus has unique markings or your Dire Wolf is unusually large and ferocious.

The Games Learning Society and Strategic Gameplay

Choosing the right steed involves careful consideration of tactical options and strategic gameplay. The Games Learning Society (GamesLearningSociety.org) explores the educational potential of games, and understanding the mechanics of D&D can enhance your problem-solving skills and strategic thinking. Learning these mechanics offers a deeper game-play experience, enhancing both enjoyment and intellectual growth.

Final Thoughts: Embrace the Power of Your Greater Steed

The Find Greater Steed spell offers a wealth of possibilities. By carefully considering your needs and playstyle, you can choose the steed that best complements your character and enhances your D&D experience. So, saddle up and prepare to soar to new heights (or charge into the fray!) with your loyal companion.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. Can I change my Greater Steed’s form after summoning it?

No. Once you choose a form when casting Find Greater Steed, that’s the form your steed will always take when you resummon it. You would need to find another way to obtain a different mount option.

2. Does my Greater Steed share my saving throws?

The description of the Find Steed spell says (emphasis added): While mounted on your steed, you can make any spell you cast that targets only you also target your steed, allowing you to share the benefits of certain spells. Your steed does not directly share your saving throws unless a spell affecting only you is cast, and the steed is targeted along with you.

3. Can I attack while mounted on my Greater Steed?

Yes! You can attack normally while mounted. Your steed can also attack if it is acting independently.

4. Can my Greater Steed carry other party members?

Yes, but consider its carrying capacity. A warhorse, griffon, or pegasus can carry a whopping 540 pounds, or push, drag, or lift 1080.

5. What happens if my Greater Steed dies?

When the steed drops to 0 hit points, it disappears, leaving behind no physical form. You can then cast the spell again to summon it.

6. Is my Greater Steed an intelligent creature?

Yes, the mount summoned by Find Steed is an intelligent mount. This means it can understand your commands and act independently.

7. Does my Greater Steed require a saddle?

While not strictly required, a saddle improves riding comfort and can provide additional benefits. Barding can also protect your steed from harm.

8. Can Dispel Magic get rid of my Greater Steed?

No, since Find Steed has an Instantaneous duration, the steed is no longer a spell it is just a steed – it cannot be dispelled by Dispel Magic.

9. Can I use Find Steed and Find Greater Steed at the same time?

No. You can only have one steed summoned by either Find Steed or Find Greater Steed at a time.

10. Do I need to concentrate on Find Greater Steed?

No, Find Greater Steed does not require concentration.

11. What is the casting time of Find Greater Steed?

The casting time is 1 action, so this allows for a quick casting and you are ready to go.

12. Can I summon a Dragon Steed with Find Greater Steed?

Unfortunately, the Dragon Steed is not on the list of available options for Find Greater Steed. However, you could discuss this option with your DM.

13. How does initiative work with my Greater Steed?

Once combat starts, you roll for initiative as normal, and you or your DM roll for your mount. If you were to mount your steed during combat, and decide to control it, its initiative changes to match yours, allowing it to act at the same time as you while your turns overlap.

14. Is Find Greater Steed only for Paladins?

While Paladins are the most common class to gain access to Find Greater Steed, other classes, such as Bards (through Magical Secrets), can also learn the spell.

15. Can my Familiar and Greater Steed be present at the same time?

Yes, Familiars can go in and out of a demiplane, Pokémon style, with just an action. mounts can be dismissed, but you need to re cast the spell to bring them back. A familiar can’t attack, a steed can.