How does the Fly spell work in terms of the subject carrying other PCs?


Rules Questions


I think this is probably an easy one, but I need to be sure. The Fly spell description says "The subject of a fly spell ... cannot carry aloft more weight than its maximum load, plus any armor it wears." Does this mean that we ignore the weight of the subject himself/herself, as well as any equipment carried other than armor? So if Herschel the wizard has a max load of 150 lbs based on a STR of 13 (probably after the wizard casts bull's strength on himself), weighs 140 lbs, and carries 30 lbs of equipment, but wears no armor, can he still fly while carrying Kyra the rogue if she weighs 140 lbs?


Yes the character's onw body weight is ignored. Just as it is with any other encumbrance effects. Only items or other people/creatures (and whatever they are carrying) is counted.


i doubt a rogue would even weigh 140 lbs before gear. most rogues i have seen other's play tend to be pretty scrawny. your typical rogue is a light load for even a 1st level fighter.


I wouldn't include the 30lbs of equipment in "armor it wears", so the answer would be "no." Otherwise, you just toss all your party members in a handy haversack, and they count as equipment carried and thus don't count toward the weight you can carry aloft.


..does this mean that weak characters can't carry as much when they fly? Seems a bit odd.


Axolotl wrote:
..does this mean that weak characters can't carry as much when they fly? Seems a bit odd.

"It's not a question of where he grips it! It's a simple question of weight ratios! A five ounce bird could not carry a one pound coconut."


Axolotl wrote:
..does this mean that weak characters can't carry as much when they fly? Seems a bit odd.

Magic has never played by scientifically logical rules. One of the reasons it is magic you now.

Grand Lodge

Pathfinder PF Special Edition, Starfinder Roleplaying Game Subscriber
MechE_ wrote:
Axolotl wrote:
..does this mean that weak characters can't carry as much when they fly? Seems a bit odd.
"It's not a question of where he grips it! It's a simple question of weight ratios! A five ounce bird could not carry a one pound coconut."

Avistan or Garundian bird?


...and thus, it's better to make the barbarian Fly, and carry the wizard? Can you cast Fly on a horse? :D


Axolotl wrote:
...and thus, it's better to make the barbarian Fly, and carry the wizard? Can you cast Fly on a horse? :D

Sure, why not?

When you cast Fly you gain a fly speed and a bonus to the fly skill.
You then have fly as a mode of movement just like a creature that naturally flies. You still have to make fly checks, you are still limited to certain ascending and descending speeds etc.

The spell is telling you that you still get reduced movement for wearing medium or heavy armor, and that you still can't carry more than your maximum load... this is not special spell-stuff, this is just a reminder for normal rules.

So, yes, a barbarian who flies can has a higher strength can carry more when flying, and you can indeed cast Fly on a mount.


The problem is unless its intelligent most animals will freak :) I was in a game where the halfling cavaliers int 3 wolf had fly trained though.

Liberty's Edge

Mojorat wrote:
The problem is unless its intelligent most animals will freak :) I was in a game where the halfling cavaliers int 3 wolf had fly trained though.

Air walk:

PRD wrote:
You can cast air walk on a specially trained mount so it can be ridden through the air. You can train a mount to move with the aid of air walk (counts as a trick; see Handle Animal skill) with 1 week of work and a DC 25 Handle Animal check.

There isn't the same text for the fly spell, but I would allow the same trick for it.


Well, I think the difference is that Fly actually gives you both the Fly Movement mode. Airwalk just lets you choose to walk on air. Fly also specifically says that flying takes "no more concentration than walking" so its not like low int is going to be too problematic.

You have "good" maneuverability, and you get +1/2 CL on fly checks. This would be the same as casting a spell on a mount that gave it wings... it immediately has a natural understanding of how to use them as soon as it gets a fly speed, can 5ft step while flying etc.

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