So in the 2nd level paladin spell find steed it says that if the animals intelligence is lower than 6 it automatically becomes 6, in the players handbook on the mounted combat part it says "While you’re mounted, you have two options. You can either control the mount or allow it to act independently. Intelligent creatures, such as dragons, act independently." dragons are 10 int which is a decent rise in intelligence from 6 so is the 6 int animal smart enough?
So in the 2nd level paladin spell find steed it says that if the animals intelligence is lower than 6 it automatically becomes 6, in the players handbook on the mounted combat part it says "While you’re mounted, you have two options. You can either control the mount or allow it to act independently. Intelligent creatures, such as dragons, act independently." dragons are 10 int which is a decent rise in intelligence from 6 so is the 6 int animal smart enough?
There is no minimum intelligence to act independently; rather, the issue is that highly intelligent creatures always act independently.
For Mounted Combat the rules are pretty clear. Read those 1st. The basic thing to remember is you as a player can't choose the mounts movement, or actions if you control it. Per the text:
An independent mount retains its place in the initiative order. Bearing a rider puts no restrictions on the actions the mount can take, and it moves and acts as it wishes. It might flee from combat, rush to attack and devour a badly injured foe, or otherwise act against your wishes.
The full spell of Find Steed has all the rules, with the DM being the final arbiter of how much freedom a player has to use/abuse the Controlled vs Independent matter at hand. So it is up to the DM to decide what happens, as the horse is effectively an NPC here.
Keep in mind the spell conjures up Spirit, not a normal beast such as a a warhorse, a pony, a camel, an elk, or a mastiff.
If the question at hand is "Does the Find Steed spell always make the new mount Independent" that answer it up for interpretation.
Rules as Written (RAW): It doesn't specifically state what level of Intelligence makes a mount independent... other than dragons which the RAW clearly state are always independent (unless the willing choose otherwise, unless magically compelled).
Rules as Intended (RAI): The obvious goal of the spell is to create a loyal and trusted spirit mount in the one of the aforementioned forms (or as otherwise chose by a careful DM). The spell states "you have an instinctive bond with it that allows you to fight as a seamless unit", so take that as you will.
Rules as Fun: The fun goal is you have an awesome mount cause you are a special super holy person. This is clearly a boon from your Deity. RP how awesome it is. Let the player have fun with it, while not breaking the game or making a 2nd level spell overpowered vs other 2nd level spells (possibly drawing ire of other players of spellcasters, and thus their fun).
Don't forget this is a spirt with a type of celestial, fey, or fiend (caster's choice). It also has the stats of a 'normal' version of the aforementioned type with all the game stats as a normal animal, save for the type and its intelligence. AoE spells, traps, and effects will damage it as well. Again, refer to Find Steed for specifics.
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Remember there are Rules as Written (RAW), Rules as Intended (RAI), and Rules as Fun (RAF). There's some great RAW, RAI, and RAF here... please check in with your DM to determine how they want to adjudicate the RAW/RAI/RAF for your game.
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So in the 2nd level paladin spell find steed it says that if the animals intelligence is lower than 6 it automatically becomes 6, in the players handbook on the mounted combat part it says "While you’re mounted, you have two options. You can either control the mount or allow it to act independently. Intelligent creatures, such as dragons, act independently." dragons are 10 int which is a decent rise in intelligence from 6 so is the 6 int animal smart enough?
There is no minimum intelligence to act independently; rather, the issue is that highly intelligent creatures always act independently.
An Int of 6 is Ape, Dolphin, Gnoll, and young white dragon average.
Yes, they can act independently
I have an Intelligence of six, I know what I'm doing.GROG STRONGJAW
For Mounted Combat the rules are pretty clear. Read those 1st. The basic thing to remember is you as a player can't choose the mounts movement, or actions if you control it. Per the text:
The full spell of Find Steed has all the rules, with the DM being the final arbiter of how much freedom a player has to use/abuse the Controlled vs Independent matter at hand. So it is up to the DM to decide what happens, as the horse is effectively an NPC here.
Keep in mind the spell conjures up Spirit, not a normal beast such as a a warhorse, a pony, a camel, an elk, or a mastiff.
If the question at hand is "Does the Find Steed spell always make the new mount Independent" that answer it up for interpretation.
Rules as Written (RAW): It doesn't specifically state what level of Intelligence makes a mount independent... other than dragons which the RAW clearly state are always independent (unless the willing choose otherwise, unless magically compelled).
Rules as Intended (RAI): The obvious goal of the spell is to create a loyal and trusted spirit mount in the one of the aforementioned forms (or as otherwise chose by a careful DM). The spell states "you have an instinctive bond with it that allows you to fight as a seamless unit", so take that as you will.
Rules as Fun: The fun goal is you have an awesome mount cause you are a special super holy person. This is clearly a boon from your Deity. RP how awesome it is. Let the player have fun with it, while not breaking the game or making a 2nd level spell overpowered vs other 2nd level spells (possibly drawing ire of other players of spellcasters, and thus their fun).
Don't forget this is a spirt with a type of celestial, fey, or fiend (caster's choice). It also has the stats of a 'normal' version of the aforementioned type with all the game stats as a normal animal, save for the type and its intelligence. AoE spells, traps, and effects will damage it as well. Again, refer to Find Steed for specifics.
Remember there are Rules as Written (RAW), Rules as Intended (RAI), and Rules as Fun (RAF). There's some great RAW, RAI, and RAF here... please check in with your DM to determine how they want to adjudicate the RAW/RAI/RAF for your game.