Hi all,

Just wondering how the Otherworldly Steed works in combat, when not mounted? 

1. Does the Paladin control it, or does the DM? 
2. Does the steed get it's own actions/bonus actions, independant of the Paladin?

i.e. Paladin does its Action/Bonus Action, then immediately after, the Steed does an Otherwordly Slam, and a Healing touch? 

Thanks!

I allow players to control summoned or conjured monsters, but I guess other DMs might rule it differently.

When not mounted, it should act with its normal actions, controlled by the Paladin, sharing your initiative:

Combat. The steed is an ally to you and your allies. In combat, it shares your Initiative count, and it functions as a controlled mount while you ride it (as defined in the rules on mounted combat). If you have the Incapacitated condition, the steed takes its turn immediately after yours and acts independently, focusing on protecting you.

EDIT: for clarity. 

I believe the DM controls the mount. However, I think the idea is that you can command it during combat. The primary reason the DM controls the mount would be because the steed functions independently of you if you have the incapacitated condition. There are many ways to gain the condition without actually being at 0hp. I do think in general it is odd to not summon it and then ride it. 

If it's useful in any way, this is from the Dev. It's for the 2014 version of Find Steed, but I think the spirit still applies:

@Velocirainbow My question was basically this: Can i command my Find Steed mount attack seperately while not mounted?
@JeremyECrawford Find steed: you can command your steed however you like while you're not mounted
@Velocirainbow And will it follow the commands to the best of its ability?
@JeremyECrawford Yes

Interestingly, Find Steed doesn't include the exact wording found in other summoning spells: "... shares your Initiative count, but it takes its turn immediately after yours ..."

Some examples:

• Giant Insect
• Summon Beast
• Summon Construct

The steed is under your control while in combat, it only acts independently if you are incapitated. The simple reason for this is that a Paladin is always telepathically linked to their mount while in range but you can not tell it what to do while incapitated.

Since it is a constant telepathic link, the steed knows what you want it to do without requiring an action and it can move with you (as opposed to following you). Find Steed is one of Paladin's best spells for a reason tho I would not really use it in combat, personally.

Quote from TarodNet >>

Interestingly, Find Steed doesn't include the exact wording found in other summoning spells: "... shares your Initiative count, but it takes its turn immediately after yours ..."

Greetings TarodNet, in your first response, you copied the 'Combat' section of the description, and in it, it states "it shares your Initiative count" so it takes its turn the same time as the Players (I assume this is because the description is assuming that you are mounted and acting together {that is a lot of assumptions}. When not mounted, I'd still have the Steed share the Players Initiative Count).

For Gorgong's questions:
1. As stated, the Player would control the Steed, as it is a Player Summoned Creature (unless your DM runs all Player Summoned Creatures for some reason).
2. Yes, the Steed get's its own Actions/Bonus Actions independent of the Paladin. As I copied from the description, it shares your initiative count, so you share a turn, and like breaking up all actions/bonus actions on your turn, you can decide how that turn unfolds.

Cheers!