I like bread.

In fact, Orc assasins do ride giant bats. It seems strange to me that there arent more flying mount choices in the MM

If I add a Grab Small Characters on a 19 or 20, what does that do for the Giant Bat's CR and XP?

Reminds me of the drawing of an Orc assassin on the back of a giant bat

Quote from EnchantedNinja12345 >>

Quote from Eravanfeighn >>

Quote from Aethan >>

Goblins riding giant bats into battle.

You're welcome.

 Me, a Svirfneblin Gnome, and my partner, a Goblin, riding a giant bat into battle. 

your welcome.

 

Quote from Wolfrik_Odinson >>

Kobalds Riding giant bats in a dragons lair. They serve and protect the lair. you're welcome

 

Why are you guys having Small creatures riding a giant bat?  Giant Bats are Large, so a Medium-sized humanoid can ride one.  

 
Consider as Small creatures, 4 of them could ride a Large creature like a Giant Bat, or even just 2 if the DM is being 'realism'-ish with the mount.

One 'rides' the bat and is maybe using a small, one-handed weapon like a Hand Crossbow or a Vial of Alchemist's Fire. The other can sit in the back, or be hanging from its claws, and be taking pot-shots with a bigger ranged weapon, like a heavy crossbow or even sticks of dynamite. Smaller characters are likely to weigh less, and thus the bat can be equipped with Barding, like a Studded Leather Barded Saddle to take advantage of its good dexterity scores.

With two riders, that's a sizeable chunk of damage, and its a fairly meaty flyer for CR 1/4. Toss in some goblins with the above dual-rider scenario, or with 4 riders, one piloting and the other three hurling javelins, vials of acid or even just sharp shiny things, and that's a rather formidable threat for a bunch of low-levels to deal with, especially since it has Blindsight and spells like Darkness will only blind the rider.

The Giant Bat is still going to see whatever you've put in its path, and might forcibly redirect itself, regardless of what the rider intends.

Would you all think it okay for a Paladin to summon this as a 2nd level spell find steed?

sus

Quote from Ser_Reddstone >>

Would you all think it okay for a Paladin to summon this as a 2nd level spell find steed?

Definitely not

the difrense is mobats are f@#$%king loud

Everyone is talking about riding bats, got 2 of time to pick me up nd fly me across lava

With 15 str and 450lb carrying capacity, conjure 8 bats and then have them grapple enemies and lift them up, up, up... SPLAT!

This should have at least 25ft walking speed

Hahh! Just made it for the exact same purpose :) https://www.dndbeyond.com/monsters/3852576-kobold-batrider

If a bat is a small sized creature, wouldn't a giant bat be a medium sized creature? LOL

Quote from DewNeverwinter >>

what would be the difference between this and a Mobat? Asking for a side-quest I'm planning.

Unless mobats have appeared since 2e and there's a more recent statblock to go off of, a mobat is more intelligent (about as much so as a ghoul) and is considered to be of evil alignment, especially as it likes to gorge itself and kill its prey.

How big are these bats exactly???