There are different spells published in various books, in a variety of editions. Find Steed is a 2nd-level spell available only to paladins. While “find greater steed” is the conjuration spell used to summon a spirit by paladins and make reform to a steed.
The find steed spell description includes a sample list of creatures that can be summoned, such as ponies, camels, warhouse, or elk. There are ambiguities between the usage of these spells and their exact wording. I’ll be addressing the correct use of these spells along with consulted books and the grant of mounts of spells and creatures that suit the players.
If you are interested in spells and want to be one of the successful players of magic spells, this is what you need to read.
What is the difference between the Find Steed and Find Greater Steed spells in D&D 5th Edition?
They are distinct spells because they were published in different books.
Find Greater Steed is a 4th level spell that locates larger steeds than a regular 2nd level Find Steed spell.
According to different resources, people used them as the same spell, so having it requires only one “known” or “prepared” spell space. I observed that it was used for different steeds based on the spell slot used to cast it.
The following information tells you about the slots and what it grants.
Using a second-level slot grants you something from the Find Steed list, which is essentially CR 1/2.
Using a third-level slot grants you access to some of the lesser steeds mentioned in the Find Greater Steed list, essentially CR 1—dire wolf or something similar.
Using a 4th level slot unlocks the CR 2 mounts from Find Greater Steed, such as Sabretooth, Griffon, and others.
Although it hasn’t come up yet, I would allow a character to use a higher-level slot to find a more powerful steed. For example, a Manticore would get a 5th level slot, a Chimera would get a 7th level slot, and a Roc would get a 9th level slot.
Now, you may have an idea of these spells, their characteristics, and the slots they give.
Find steed vs .Find greater steed
From a gameplay standpoint, Find Steed allows a character’s relatively low health of an attack that has less of an impact because they can simply re-summon it as needed. That being said, I like the idea of the Steed gaining power alongside a Paladin and becoming a more important part of their arsenal.
Given that the spell’s level doesn’t increase, it may or may not. It is unclear if the stats should be based on the Paladin’s charisma modifier, rewarding Paladins who boost their spellcasting stat, or simply on proficiency as you level up.
There is a slight difference between both the spells, one is the upgraded version i.e. Find greater steed. The animals and the creatures differ in the greater version.
The table shows some of the contrasting features of both spells.
Find Steed
Find Greater steed
Warhouse
Griffon
Pony
Pegasus
Camel
Peryton
Mastiff
Rhinoceros
Elk
Dire wolf
Creatures of Find steed and Find Greater steed
What do you mean by the spell “Find steed”?
In Find Steed, you call forth a spirit that takes the form of an unusually intelligent, strong, and loyal steed, forming a long-lasting bond with it. The steed appears in an unoccupied space within range, taking on the form of your choices, such as a warhorse, a pony, a camel, an elk, or a mastiff. It depends on the DM, whether you are allowed to summon it into other forms of steeds or not.
The steed has the statistics of the chosen form, but instead of its normal type, it is a celestial, fey, or fiend. It depends on what you choose.
Furthermore, if your steed has an intelligence of 5 or less, its intelligence increases to 6, and it gains the ability to understand one of your chosen languages.
The Intelligence score is the same in both the spells, the creatures are distinctive.
“Find Greater steed”, what does this spell mean?
In the case of “Find greater steed”, you summon a spirit that takes the form of a devoted servant. A breathtaking mountain appears in a location. The spirit takes the form you choose within the range: a griffon, a Pegasus, a peryton, a dire wolf, and a rhinoceros. It may be in the form of a tiger with saber teeth.
The creature possesses statistics for the chosen form, either a celestial fey or a fiend. it is usually not the normal type as in “find steed.”
Furthermore, if it has an intelligence score of 5 or higher, Its intelligence increases to 6 and it receives the understanding of one language of your choice.
So, you claim to be the mount's commander.
In D&D 5E, what happens if I summon a Peryton with Find Greater Steed?
Find Greater Steed is a skill that allows you to summon a flying or particularly vicious mount that is loyal and friendly to you. Even if it is a peryton, the inherently evil choice in this case.
You summon a spirit in the form of a devoted, majestic mount.
Of course, it was probably added as an afterthought for the evil paladins after they saw the nightmare mount you’d expect to get here and realized it would be far too broken to use.
Having said that, it does grant you a proper evil paladin flying mount that obeys the paladin.
Of course, it will, because an evil paladin is by definition a villain among villains in terms of sheer evil, and at the level required to cast Greater Steed, it is far more powerful than the peryton. It would obey, as is the rule of the strongest.
In the end, it’s kind of expected to be the evil paladin choice, at least in the eyes of WotC.
What’s the difference between D&D 4th Edition and D&D 5th Edition?
There are some visual and aesthetic differences between both editions.
The 5th Edition is simply a new, simplified version that is more welcoming to newer players. It has a prior variation of 3.5.
On the other hand, 4th Edition took a completely different approach, attempting to achieve an online MMO and aesthetic video game features.
Unfortunately, it’s extremely frustrating, and much of it had to be done online to be done with any ease, but then there were financial barriers to entry on top of it.
I believe they were attempting to make it more like an online experience, but there was too much 4e getting in the way, as well as players finding 3.5 and 5e generally better experiences, to give it a fair chance.
It was observed that 4e was more focused on combat. You could choose from a variety of powers, and at level one, players were like half-gods. There were numerous builds available to players.
I think you can decide which edition of D&D is better, right?
How can I make the most of Find Steed in D&D 5E?
There are several ways of making the most of Find steed in D&D 5e. Some of them are listed here.
Choose one that can fly and, if possible, multi-attack.
Even better if it has magical or magical-like properties. Make your enchanted horseshoes for a flying unicorn, as well as an enchanted nose ring and tail decoration set.
The measurements are taken as;
Nose-ring of protection +5, 15 ft. radius, affects creatures friendly to the mount.
Lightning tailrace adds a bonus attack to up to three targets at 120 ft. range for 12 D, 20 +40 lightning damage.
Horseshoes of speed and agility, doubling the wearer’s speed and adding a +10 to dexterity.
Lastly, add an adamantium horn cover that is a +12 to hit and damage weapon that does not require attunement to make the DM hate you.
There is another way to do so.
You can cast Locate Steed to obtain a horse. Then, cast the Magic Jar spell. With a Charisma save, your steed. It can now possess any humanoid it sees. Make it a big, ugly brute with low charisma.
You now have a super horse with the name "30-30."
These are the best alternatives for getting the most out of “Find steed.”
Why is Find Steed regarded favorably in D & D?
Find Steed can provide the Paladin with several utility benefits, such as increased movement and a handful of extra attacks through their steed’s abilities. Therefore, it is favorable. The mount’s low hit points are less important because the steed can be re-summoned and all damage does is pop them temporarily.
So you won’t have to deal with the heartbreak of losing a beloved pet.
When combined with the Mounted Combat feat, you can reduce some of the damage taken by the mount by redirecting attacks to yourself.
Mounts can be difficult to fully utilize because you often have to go places that the average animal would not want to go. Not to mention that most common mounts do not have a lot of health. Most paladins will struggle with animal handling.
Most of the problems that are improved by finding a greater mount are solved by finding a steed. Having a conjured horse allows you to summon it at a moment’s notice or as you leave a city.
It demonstrates movement speed while also granting some minor attacks. “Find Greater steed” mount unlocks some faster and flying mounts.
It provides you with a free mount simply by summoning it. You can resurrect it if it dies or is left behind. However, it does not have a duration, so once summoned, it remains summoned indefinitely.
Final Thoughts
In conclusion, “Find steed” and “Find grater steed” are two different spells used in Paladin. They are used to summon the spirits and change their forms. The biggest difference between the creatures is how the animals are reformed. The animals differed in both the spells.
They differ due to the different editions of D&D.The 5th level is considered the best one. I have already discussed the pros and cons of both levels. The creatures have several names that are unique to both editions.
Apart from that, if your DM allows you to proceed to the other spell, you can. It is up to you to decide whether you want to be celestial, a fiend, or a fey. If your steed has an intelligence of 5 or less, its intelligence increases to 6, and it gains the ability to understand one of your chosen languages.
The observations vary from person to person; the players depict the game differently and suggest their ways of casting a spell.