Ok.. so what IF I told you that there is a way for a medium-sized race to use the Steel Defender as Calvary in combat. Just like small races Riding their Robo puppy. All in the rules and only costs a little gold, and that is to use the Steel defender as a pulling creature.
In the PBH under equipment, it describes a number of animals that can be used for this. Mule is very similar to the Steel Defenders in all the important characteristics (speed, strength etc)
The math is simple: (14x15)(5)= 1050 ibs that the creature can pull at full speed. A Chariot cost 250 gold and weights 100 ibs. A character let's say 250 with gear, plus 100ibs or other stuff. By the numbers, this would work (and still have a bag of holding worth of weight of additional carrying) and, best of all, the Defenders does not get exhaustion. Dash action all day long (218 miles in one day)
(Sled dogs are also a thing but they share the Wolf stat block and it is less than what a Steel Defender can do. )
How would this work in combat? I can see this as a kiting range build, set your defender to move where you want it to. it takes the dodge action while you pew pew with your (repeating) crossbow. Or for a melee, Delay your attack, Bonus action SD to help action, move in, you strike with advantage, move out of range, Defender uses its reaction to protect you and repeat.
Better yet, would be as the title says. Be that Battle Taxi, moving other players around the battlefield. melee guy chasing down a dude? give him a ride, Wizard went down? throw him in the cart and move to a safe place.
Personally, I would turn chariot into a sales truck and move from town to town selling my spells and magical wears. For a limited time only of course.
This would work well with Paladins’ Find Steed too. In general, chariots are probably pretty sweet in D&D. You can put a couple of PCs on the back and rush around raining close ranged attacks.
In history, they were very effective on flat battlefields, and to move soldiers or officers. But they were hard to shoot from (single axles without shocks are bumpy!) and were relatively high maintenance. Still, they were the fastest land vehicles until trains.
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
To post a comment, please login or register a new account.
Ok.. so what IF I told you that there is a way for a medium-sized race to use the Steel Defender as Calvary in combat. Just like small races Riding their Robo puppy. All in the rules and only costs a little gold, and that is to use the Steel defender as a pulling creature.
In the PBH under equipment, it describes a number of animals that can be used for this. Mule is very similar to the Steel Defenders in all the important characteristics (speed, strength etc)
The math is simple: (14x15)(5)= 1050 ibs that the creature can pull at full speed. A Chariot cost 250 gold and weights 100 ibs. A character let's say 250 with gear, plus 100ibs or other stuff. By the numbers, this would work (and still have a bag of holding worth of weight of additional carrying) and, best of all, the Defenders does not get exhaustion. Dash action all day long (218 miles in one day)
(Sled dogs are also a thing but they share the Wolf stat block and it is less than what a Steel Defender can do. )
How would this work in combat? I can see this as a kiting range build, set your defender to move where you want it to. it takes the dodge action while you pew pew with your (repeating) crossbow. Or for a melee, Delay your attack, Bonus action SD to help action, move in, you strike with advantage, move out of range, Defender uses its reaction to protect you and repeat.
Better yet, would be as the title says. Be that Battle Taxi, moving other players around the battlefield. melee guy chasing down a dude? give him a ride, Wizard went down? throw him in the cart and move to a safe place.
Personally, I would turn chariot into a sales truck and move from town to town selling my spells and magical wears. For a limited time only of course.
Need more inspiration?
Anyways just an idea.
Great idea! I love it. When there is an open battlefield you can ride the charriot around like the ancient egyptians.
This would work well with Paladins’ Find Steed too. In general, chariots are probably pretty sweet in D&D. You can put a couple of PCs on the back and rush around raining close ranged attacks.
In history, they were very effective on flat battlefields, and to move soldiers or officers. But they were hard to shoot from (single axles without shocks are bumpy!) and were relatively high maintenance. Still, they were the fastest land vehicles until trains.