I understand the actions the mount is limited to when it is being used as a mount. I am more curious about when I am not mounted on it.
What does my steed do when i am not mounting it? Do I need to use my Bonus actions to command it to attack or am I able to use its otherworldly slam and other bonus actions at no cost to my paladins actions and bonus actions?
If you are not riding it, it counts as an independant mount and is controlled by the DM (if they choose, they can let you play it). It acts independantly and decides for itself what it should do on its own initiative. If you have telepathic contact with it, you can ask/order it to do things, but it acts independantly. If the Paladin is not riding it, it costs the Paladin nothing in the action economy, but just keep in mind that it acts on its own volition. In other words, it may not do exactly as the Paladin intends.
Think of it as an NPC ally at that point, and it interprets the world through its ability scores (intelligence), which means it may not see every situation the way the Paladin wants it to.
I understand the actions the mount is limited to when it is being used as a mount. I am more curious about when I am not mounted on it.
What does my steed do when i am not mounting it? Do I need to use my Bonus actions to command it to attack or am I able to use its otherworldly slam and other bonus actions at no cost to my paladins actions and bonus actions?
If you are not riding it, it counts as an independant mount and is controlled by the DM (if they choose, they can let you play it). It acts independantly and decides for itself what it should do on its own initiative. If you have telepathic contact with it, you can ask/order it to do things, but it acts independantly. If the Paladin is not riding it, it costs the Paladin nothing in the action economy, but just keep in mind that it acts on its own volition. In other words, it may not do exactly as the Paladin intends.
Think of it as an NPC ally at that point, and it interprets the world through its ability scores (intelligence), which means it may not see every situation the way the Paladin wants it to.
Playing D&D since 1982
Have played every version of the game since Basic (original Red Box Set), except that abomination sometimes called 4e.