Recently my group presented me with a situation. A warlock wanted to use Misty Step to teleport upon the back of a Large Black Dragon. I fell back on the ruling that you cannot end your turn occupying a creature's space. We discussed it and the player argued that since it's larger than him, he should be able to land on it. He also wanted to teleport in mid air above he creature. I ruled if he did that he would fall and still end up in a space unoccupied by the creature. I feel you shouldn't be on the back of any creature of any size larger than you unless you are attempting to grapple the creature itself.
But I definitely encourage going along with player's creative ideas to the best of your ability and within reason. The rules are not always the best at reflecting real situations or rewarding real strategies.
As DM, I think it would be fair if the player had to roll an opposed check if the creature she/he is tryng to Misty Step onto is aware of and can see the Warlock. Something like they both roll DEX, add modifiers, etc. If the player fails and the creature is Huge or larger, the player takes 1d6 fall damage per 10 feet of height of the creature's back/shoulder b/c the player tried to land on the creature, but the monster shrugged him/her off. If the creature is simply Large or Medium, no fall damage unless the creature was flying or something.
A creature needs to be two sizes larger for you to be able to move through their space. The optional climbing rules don't reference that, but they imply that grappling is more appropriate for a closer match-up like medium v. large. Personally I like those rules, but you can always meet halfway. Allow them, but the monster gets advantage on the checks involved or something. Or don't. It's your game, and you are correct that Misty Step as written would not do what he's asking.
What you want to avoid is the warlock doing this every fight because it's more effective than anything else. What you want to encourage are rare moments of cool where the warlock pulls off a lucky stunt to save the day.
Again, thanks for the suggestions everyone. In the end, sometimes I think I can be a rules-Nazi and only go by the written law. It's been a while since a wide-eyed 10 year old was a flexible and creative DM/Player...need to get in touch with that kid :D
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Greetings!
Recently my group presented me with a situation. A warlock wanted to use Misty Step to teleport upon the back of a Large Black Dragon. I fell back on the ruling that you cannot end your turn occupying a creature's space. We discussed it and the player argued that since it's larger than him, he should be able to land on it. He also wanted to teleport in mid air above he creature. I ruled if he did that he would fall and still end up in a space unoccupied by the creature. I feel you shouldn't be on the back of any creature of any size larger than you unless you are attempting to grapple the creature itself.
What you you think?
Thank you for any replies and viewing this thread
There are optional rules in the Dungeon Master's Guide for climbing up larger creatures: https://www.dndbeyond.com/sources/dmg/dungeon-masters-workshop#ClimbontoaBiggerCreature
Find my D&D Beyond articles here
By strict, core RAW, you are correct.
But I definitely encourage going along with player's creative ideas to the best of your ability and within reason. The rules are not always the best at reflecting real situations or rewarding real strategies.
As DM, I think it would be fair if the player had to roll an opposed check if the creature she/he is tryng to Misty Step onto is aware of and can see the Warlock. Something like they both roll DEX, add modifiers, etc. If the player fails and the creature is Huge or larger, the player takes 1d6 fall damage per 10 feet of height of the creature's back/shoulder b/c the player tried to land on the creature, but the monster shrugged him/her off. If the creature is simply Large or Medium, no fall damage unless the creature was flying or something.
A creature needs to be two sizes larger for you to be able to move through their space. The optional climbing rules don't reference that, but they imply that grappling is more appropriate for a closer match-up like medium v. large. Personally I like those rules, but you can always meet halfway. Allow them, but the monster gets advantage on the checks involved or something. Or don't. It's your game, and you are correct that Misty Step as written would not do what he's asking.
What you want to avoid is the warlock doing this every fight because it's more effective than anything else. What you want to encourage are rare moments of cool where the warlock pulls off a lucky stunt to save the day.
My homebrew subclasses (full list here)
(Artificer) Swordmage | Glasswright | (Barbarian) Path of the Savage Embrace
(Bard) College of Dance | (Fighter) Warlord | Cannoneer
(Monk) Way of the Elements | (Ranger) Blade Dancer
(Rogue) DaggerMaster | Inquisitor | (Sorcerer) Riftwalker | Spellfist
(Warlock) The Swarm
Again, thanks for the suggestions everyone. In the end, sometimes I think I can be a rules-Nazi and only go by the written law. It's been a while since a wide-eyed 10 year old was a flexible and creative DM/Player...need to get in touch with that kid :D