Here's the basic idea:
Be a Halfling Warlock 3 with Pact of the Chain
Summon up an Imp(6 Str)
An Imp can turn Invisible at-will and carrying something weighing 45 lbs without penalty. That thing being carried is invisible. Such as a Halfling Warlock. The imp can fly 40'.
Now if the Imp attacks or loses concentration, the invisibility is broken. But that doesn't apply to things being carried. If the Halfling Warlock does, the invisibility is not broken. So each round, you attack, then have the Imp move to a new location. So free Advantage on all attacks, you can fly to 300' to be out of the range of most spells with Eldritch Spear, and you force Disadvantage onto anyone trying to attack you.
I wouldn't allow it.
1. The imp can carry the Halfling, assuming he had almost no equipment, and only if the imp isn't flying.
2. The imp can't fly when carrying something a full size larger than itself. I don't care how strong it is, flight isn't based on strength.
3. I'd give the Halfing Disadvantage for trying to shoot spells from an unstable platform, assuming I allowed the flying.
4. The imp would turn visible if the Halfling attacked. It's like saying "The wand attacked, not the Imp."
5. However, if you forced the issue and wanted to play that way, as the DM, I'd be sure the enemy pulled things like that. I'm a fan of if the players can do it, so can the enemy.
Cheers
DooHickey wrote:
Mommy_was_an_Orc wrote:
Mommy_was_an_Orc wrote:
DooHickey wrote:
Yes the imp can carry the Halfling, because it is magical.
but no, the Halfling becoming a wand of Eldritch blasting will break the invisibility. Because the imp is allowing its Warlock wand to attack, that counts as an attack in pure common sense terms.
I would permit that as a DM, but if my players wanted to argue and spam this, then I would simply allow them to bump into enemy warlocks doing the same thing, but in multiples.
So the invisible helicopter for reconnaissance is fine as long as the warlock is concentrating and that the Halfling weighs less than 30lb, else the poor imp is encumbered and fly speed is reduced by 10ft. If the Halfling weighs more than 60lb then the imp is heavily encumbered and fly speed is dropped by 20ft. That is if you use the PHB encumbrance variant.
Then again with regards to lifting and carrying, you halve the weights for Tiny Creatures.
So the Halfling better weigh15lb, so the imp can fly at normal speed and carry the warlock successfully. If the Halfling weighs less than 30lb then the imp is encumbered, over that and it's heavily encumbered.
Now the average Halfling weighs 40lb according to the PHB, so the imp will be heavily encumbered. The imp whilst flying 20ft (fly only, as 0 movement if trying to walk whilst bearing this load) will have disadvantage on all ability checks, increasing the likelihood that it will drop the heavy Halfling, accidentally on purpose.
the Halfling will be protected by the invisibility, until they attack or cast a spell. It's as if the warlock had cast invisibility themselves. The warlock may have advantage initially, but once they act, then their base speed of 25ft is better than being hobbled to their disadvantaged familiar and they too would be at disadvantage for creating a lovely target with more chance to be hit than their imp.
Not quite sure where it says it in the PHB, but I am pretty sure that the mount has to be one size larger than the person it is carrying. Or at the very least the same size category.
spanglemaker wrote:
Drizzt_hunter wrote:
Mommy_was_an_Orc wrote:
As most people have stated this would mostly be up to the DM. If the DM allows it go for it and have a blast. Also as Red pointed out with out riding the IMP like a mount he would not be able to act normally at the very least he would have disadvantage on attacks. Furthermore I can't say for 100% but I highly doubt this would be allowed in AL because they would say the average weight is 40 pounds. Yes the Imp can carry 45 pounds but I can almost promise you that any DM would be really stingy with keeping you below that 5 pounds of gear.
From Wrestling I can tell you clothes weigh more than you think. Shoes generally weigh 1-3 pounds and robes would probably weigh 1-2 pounds, so other then the basic clothing you wouldn't be allowed to carry anything. No healing potions, to note an important one, you could carry NOTHING other than clothes. Which could really suck come skill checks or something of the like.
Mommy_was_an_Orc wrote:
reddaemon wrote:
Get out of my brain! I was just thinking of this last night! I wasn't thinking about invisibility, though... rather I was thinking of using Darkness... imps can see in magical darkness, and with the right invocation so can warlocks. So you could be a flying black blob of doom.
Sorxores wrote:
I feel like you need to enlarge the imp.
I would also rule that the halfling is grappled. And thus, the imp moves at 1/2 speed.
Sorxores wrote:
Drizzt_hunter wrote:
Drizzt_hunter wrote:
I did see the Carrying capacity as 15 x Str, but chose to look at the Encumbrance variant.
If you carry more weight than 5 x Str then you are encumbered
If you exceed 10 x Str then you are heavily encumbered.
The imp would be awkwardly carrying the halfling, holding on as best as it can. The Imp is at disadvantage on all its rolls. For me personally, I would permit the element of a suprise round, but if the halfling warlock sniper who is now visible remains aloft with the flying imp- both the imp and the warlock would gain disadvantage. So for the warlocks first round, he/she would appear have Advantage for this round only (unless the opponent has True Sight, See Invisibility or a Faerie Fire alarm). Probably best for the Warlock to be deposited (remaining invisible on to the ground). Warlock blasts, both warlock and imp are visible. Imp flies off at full 40ft move due to no heavy halfling slowing it down. Opponent is surprised and therefore can't ,move or take an action on its first turn and can only make a reaction at the end of its first turn. Initiative would be rolled, combat would continue- round 2 the imp could become invisible and the warlock can fight normally.
So again, you can't spam this, its slow invisible flight then appear with1 round of surprise with advantage, then everythin is normal.
Thats just how I would run it, in your own home game you can do whatever you like. I wonder what an Adventurers League ruling would be though.
Mommy_was_an_Orc wrote:
spanglemaker wrote:
Yunru wrote:
DooHickey wrote:
Mommy_was_an_Orc wrote:
This is awesome. The imagery of magic bolts of eldritch might springing into being randomly about the battlefield, while the enemies scream in terror swatting at the sky in hopes of catching their invisible assailant...too cool.
Unfortunately, in order for the Imp to carry the Halfling, it has to grab the halfling (duh?). The rules for grabbing a creature are detailed under the Grapple rules (Phb pg 195). The very first line states:
"When you want to grab a creature or wrestle with it, you can use the Attack action to make a special melee attack, a grapple."
So, in order to carry a creature, you have to grapple the creature, because you can't carrying something (or soemone) without grabbing it first. This means that the Imp's speed is halved (becoming Fly 20 ft.), since a halfling is not two or more size categories smaller than it. Additionally, the halfling's speed becomes 0, but that is of little consequence in this case.
Other than that, seems legit, and just flippin' cool.
Either way...just my 2 cp.
7he_professor wrote:
You know how you can "dismiss" your familiar by sending it to an extra-dimensional space with an action? I picture all familiars going to the same space, kind of like a lounge for familiars. And your imp will be there, having a drink and complaining to the cats, bats, quasits, stoats, octopuses..octopi...octopodes.... squid that he has to fly your fat ass everywhere.
Ahh good old R.A.W. C.O. cheese. I like it.
Have to go with the above arguments for: encumbered, DM can rule disavantage, and grappled.
DM "ought" to say disadvantage. But still ... sweet.
Action economy is reduced, compared to not doing this, though again probably not much of a restriction.
I was coming by to post a Hexblade build when I stumbled upon this thread. I'm sorry, but you have won the day sir. Disagree or not with the rules interpretation, just imagine a crazed halfling warlock humming out Flight of the Valkyries while soaring through the air in the arms of an Imp and you can't help but love the insane creativity of it.
HeirRaktus wrote:
The problem I see with this is that although the imp technically has enough strength to carry a 40-pound halfling, I suspect that strength isn't located in its wings. Wings are designed for lifting the weight of the creature it's attached to, and probably couldn't handle something weighing about five times as much. The strength score of the imp tells you how much weight it can carry while on the ground, where the burden is distributed throughout its body, but I can't see it being able to lift just as much weight while also trying to climb air faster than gravity can make it fall using a single set of body parts. I hope the DMG will have some guidelines for calculating how much weight a creature can carry while flying.
Mommy_was_an_Orc wrote:
RCanine wrote:
The halfling warlock can do this until the day the imp let him go and fall at the worse moment because it wasn't commanded not to, being pesky little evil fiend 
Seriously though, while its pretty creative and seems like it work, its something i could see many DMs rule against.
Plaguescarred wrote:
Well, the DM can do it too and have invisible imps carrying imps that attack with advantage and don't provoke OAs! 
I like the Idea of this, with the restrictions based on Carrying applied, and a certain amount of leeway both ways for circumstances. It makes for some good, solid fun on both the DM and Player side of the table. It also opens the door to all sorts of funny, dangerous or exciting circumstances.
Something I'd try to introduce in this situation, on the Part of the Imp, is to play up as Plaguescarred has suggested, that the Imp isn't simply a piece of equipment of the Warlock's. Add in a sense of black humor, malicious mischieviousness, and a certain amount of warranted or not resentment depending on how the Warlock treats said Imp. LOL, oh the fun to be had!
I would let the player do this ONCE because it sounds fun and cool. But I also would talk to him out-of-game about creating a spectacle (both player and character) and so drawing anti-invisibility-equipped foes (read: very high level) down on himself and the group. Maybe give him one use per level to repeat it, so he can do it again when it REALLY counts. And encourage the other players to think of some over-the-top application of their abilities, so they can get in on the fun too. If you need an in-game excuse to limit uses, have the Imp grow a contrarian personality "I didn't sign up for THIS - no better than some dumb beast of burden."
SO by the same logic some people are using I coud get a very strong barbarian or fighter cast invisability on him, then he picks up 2 halfing warlocks and uses them like twin gattling guns and none of them will lose the invisability?
Mommy_was_an_Orc wrote:
grendel111111 wrote:
I say yes, but the invisibleity for the Halfling would be broken when the Halfling attacked and Imp would have to do an action to cover the Halfling again after the round the Halfling attacked in
Invisiblity can cover more than one creature at higher levels but the Halfling attack does not break the invisiltiy for the two
so the creatures on the ground would see a slow moving flying Halfling up in the air
Disadvantage, yes for the Halfing and for Imp carrying so heavy a load, but Guantlets of Ogre Power can handle that for the Imp
using a Wand would break the invisiblity but a Wand is an object and not a living creature that has an mind, the Imp does not contol the Halfling so the Imp says invisible, and does not attack
Would definitely need to follow the grappling rules, so half movement. I'd also require the Imp make a Strength (Athletics) check (DC 15) to hold on anytime the Halfling did anything other than remain still. It's one thing to carry a heavy inanimate object, it's another thing to carry a heavy object that's wiggling around.
As for the Invisibility, I'd say no way. If you think this was how it was intended and want to argue that a person counts as "anything", I'll use the common definition of thing as "an inanimate material object as distinct from a living sentient being." You are not a thing, therefore do not fall under the category of any thing.
Danny_Montanny wrote:
Interestingly enough, this got stealth errata'd - Imps now only turn equipment they carry invisible in MM.
I wouldn't allow it. The Warlock would need to take Infernal Pact so that he would be an Invisible Flying Hell-icoper. The pun is non-optional.
... and better than a stealth nerf.
song: "He ain't heavy , he's my conjurer."
Mommy_was_an_Orc wrote:
Lawolf wrote:
After reading the interesting discussion that went before, I looked up and quoted the rules that seem to apply. Here's what I found. If I made factual errors (e.g., multiplied incorrectly) please let me know. If you simply have a different opinion, or want to argue about DM fiat or house rules, don't. Those things throw all RAW out the window to begin with.
Short answer: Halflings (and Gnomes) have a base weight of 35 pounds, plus a minimum of 2 pounds [+2d4], for a total minimum (naked) weight of 37 pounds. For a Tiny creature who is grappling (carrying) the PC, this is beyond the heavily encumbered weight limit for a Strength 6 creature such as an imp. Encumberance and grappling rules combine to mean the imp cannot move (Speed less than 0 ft., fly 0 ft.) while carrying the PC. Even if it could, the PC would not turn invisible when the imp did, because a PC is not "equipment."
Long answer: Applicable rules and sources.
Imp (Monster Manual, p. 76) Speed 20 ft., fly 40 ft. Str: 6
Moving a Grappled Creature. When you move, you can drag or carry the grappled creature with you, but your speed is halved, unless the creature is two or more sizes smaller than you. (Player's Handbook, p. 195) No PC races are two or more sizes smaller than an imp, so speed becomes 10 ft., fly 20 ft. (before any encumbrance).
Carrying capacity (Player's Handbook, p. 176) "Your carrying capacity is your Strength score multiplied by 15. This is the weight (in pounds) that you can carry." (6*15 = 90 halved to 45 due to Tiny size—see Size and Strength, below)
Variant: Encumbrance "If you carry weight in excess of 5 times your Strength score, you are encumbered, which means your speed drops by 10 feet." [Note: Remember, halved for Tiny creatures. Halved again for grappling. Carrying 15 pounds or more means speed becomes 0 ft., fly 10 ft.]
"If you carry weight in excess of 10 times your Strength score, up to your maximum carrying capacity, you are instead heavily encumbered, which means your speed drops by 20 feet and you have disadvantage on ability checks, attack rolls, and saving throws that use Strength, Dexterity, or Constitution." [Note: Carrying weight of 30 pounds or more makes the imp heavily encumbered. With grappling, Speed 0 ft., fly 0 ft.]
Size and Strength (ibid) "For a Tiny creature, halve these weights."
Actions—Invisibility "The imp magically turn invisible until it attacks or unitl its concentration ends (as if concentrating on a spell). Any equipment the imp wears or is carrying is invisible with it."
As PCs are not equipment, they do not turn invisible when carried by an imp who turns invisible.
Mounted Combat (Player's Handbook, p. 198) "A willing creature that is at least one size larger than you and that has an appropriate anatomy can serve as a mount, using the following rules."
No PC races are at least one size smaller than the imp, so an imp cannot be used as a mount.
Height and Weight (Player's Handbook, p. 121)
Rather than recreate the table… Halfling Base Weight is 35 pounds, +(2d4 * 1 lb.). This averages to 40 pounds without any clothing or equipment. Incidentally, this is the same for Gnomes, even though Gnomes are not as tall.
Lawolf wrote:
TheBreen wrote: