The Broom of Flying remains one of the most deceptively powerful and sought-after magic items in Dungeons & Dragons 5th Edition (D&D 5e), and as of the latest ruleset, its value has only solidified. This simple-looking, Uncommon-rarity item grants a character the ultimate freedom—unlimited flight—without demanding one of their precious attunement slots, a fact that Dungeon Masters (DMs) and players alike often overlook. The ability to bypass terrain, scout ahead, and escape melee range makes this item a campaign-changer, especially for low- to mid-level parties.
This deep-dive guide, updated for late 2025, goes beyond the basic description to reveal the *Broom's* full potential, clarifying its most debated rules and offering creative, game-breaking strategies to maximize its utility in your next adventure. Whether you're a cunning Rogue, a resourceful Wizard, or a frustrated DM trying to balance its power, prepare to see this humble cleaning tool in a whole new light.
Broom of Flying: Official 5e Biography and Core Mechanics
Before diving into the creative uses, every player and Dungeon Master must be crystal clear on the official, non-negotiable rules for the Broom of Flying. This item's power lies in its simplicity and its single, most important feature: the lack of an attunement requirement.
- Item Type: Wondrous Item
- Rarity: Uncommon
- Attunement: No (Does NOT require Attunement)
- Source: Dungeon Master’s Guide (DMG)
- Weight: 3 pounds
- Activation: Stand astride it and speak its Command Word. This is generally considered to take no action, or at most, a free object interaction, allowing for rapid deployment.
- Speed: 50 feet flying speed (with the Hover property).
- Carrying Capacity: Can carry up to 200 pounds at full speed (50 ft). Can carry up to 500 pounds, but its flying speed is reduced to 30 feet.
- Control: Can be remotely controlled. If you are not riding it, you can use an action to speak the command word and direct it to move up to 50 feet and carry out a simple task (like sweeping or hovering).
- Safety Feature: If the broom is moved against your will (such as by a strong wind or a push), you must succeed on a DC 10 Dexterity saving throw or fall off.
The fact that it does not require attunement is what elevates the Broom of Flying above almost every other item that grants a flying speed, such as the *Winged Boots* or *Cloak of the Bat*, which eat up a valuable attunement slot.
The Rules Debate: Can I Dash? Can I Attack?
Two major questions plague D&D tables when the Broom of Flying is introduced: how fast can the rider go, and what happens in aerial combat? The answers clarify the item's limitations and its true tactical niche.
The Dash Action Limitation
A common misconception is that a character riding the broom can use their action to Dash, doubling the broom's 50-foot speed to 100 feet. This is incorrect. The rules state that the broom itself is doing the moving, and the broom is not a creature with actions like Dash. Therefore, the maximum movement in a round is 50 feet. This is a critical balancing factor that prevents a character from becoming an untouchable aerial menace early in the game.
Aerial Combat and Improvised Weapons
While the broom is not a dedicated weapon, the rules for improvised weapons apply. If you choose to attack an enemy with the broom itself, you would make an improvised weapon attack, typically dealing 1d4 bludgeoning damage. More importantly, the ability to fly allows any character—even a non-spellcaster—to gain the tactical advantage of height, making it an excellent platform for ranged attacks, dropping objects, or simply avoiding melee threats.
7 Game-Changing Uses for the Broom of Flying
The true power of this item lies in its utility outside of straightforward combat. It transforms the Exploration Pillar of D&D and solves many logistical problems that plague adventuring parties. Here are the most effective and creative ways to utilize your new flying mount:
1. The Ultimate Scout and Messenger
Because the broom does not require attunement, it is the perfect item to hand to a party member with high Dexterity and proficiency in Stealth, such as a Rogue or Ranger. They can fly above the tree line or city walls, gaining a massive line of sight advantage to scout a castle, map a dungeon entrance, or track a fleeing enemy. Furthermore, its 50 ft speed makes it an excellent tool for urgent message delivery between distant allies or settlements, greatly improving the party's logistics and information gathering.
2. Low-Level Aerial Rescue and Retrieval
The broom can be remotely controlled with an action. This means a character can send the broom—unmanned—up to 50 feet away to perform a task. Use it to retrieve a fallen ally's weapon, carry a rope to a character trapped on a ledge, or even ferry a small, heavy object (up to 500 lbs at 30 ft speed) across a chasm or river. This is a game-changer for problem-solving and disaster mitigation in dangerous environments.
3. Bypassing Environmental Hazards
Swamps, lava pits, deep rivers, thorny thickets, and traps that rely on floor pressure plates are all rendered irrelevant by the Broom of Flying. It grants the Hover property, meaning the rider does not fall if they stop moving mid-air. This makes it a superior form of travel for traversing the wilderness and navigating the most treacherous sections of a dungeon or megadungeon without triggering ground-based effects.
4. The Mobile Ballista Platform
For a character wielding a heavy crossbow, longbow, or even using a spell like *Eldritch Blast*, the broom provides an unparalleled mobile firing platform. They can fly up to 50 feet, fire at an enemy, and then use the remaining movement to retreat to a safe altitude, forcing the enemy to use their own resources (spells, ranged weapons) to engage. This is a powerful form of hit-and-run tactics and aerial denial.
5. The "Improvised" Bludgeoning Weapon
While often overlooked, the broom is a sturdy wooden object. A creative player can use the broom itself to make an improvised weapon attack, dealing 1d4 bludgeoning damage. More effectively, a DM might rule that hitting an enemy with the broom while flying at high speed could force a saving throw to avoid being knocked prone or even disarmed, adding a fun, cinematic element to mid-air grappling or jousting.
6. The Unconventional Grappling Hook
By tying a rope to the broom and sending it aloft with the command word, the party can essentially create a temporary, mobile anchor point. This is especially useful for scaling sheer cliffs, crossing wide gaps, or providing a stable line for other party members to climb, transforming the broom into a vital piece of mountaineering gear or siege equipment.
7. The Ultimate Escape and Retreat Tool
In a surprise encounter or a deadly ambush, the character on the broom can quickly escape the threat range, especially if they are a spellcaster who needs to maintain concentration on a critical spell. The ability to gain 50 feet of vertical movement in a single turn is an incredible defensive advantage, ensuring the character can live to fight another day and potentially return to rescue their allies.
The Broom of Flying is more than just a novelty item; it is a tactical powerhouse that fundamentally alters the game's power dynamic and travel mechanics. By understanding its non-attunement status and its limitations (like the inability to Dash), DMs can integrate it into their campaign setting without it breaking the game, and players can unlock its full potential as a tool for exploration, utility, and even low-level aerial supremacy.
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