Here are the statistics from the Mounts and Other Animals Table in the DMG:
| Item | Cost | Speed | Carrying Capacity |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pony | 30 gp | 40 ft. | 225 lb. |
| Donkey or mule | 8 gp | 40 ft. | 420 lb. |
The pony costs 30 gp, and can only carry 225 lb.
The mule costs just 8 gp, and can carry 420 lb.
Both have the same speed, 40 ft.
I'm wondering why someone would rather buy the pony, when its nearly four times as expensive, and can only carry about half as much weight?
I would have expected the mule to be more expensive than the pony given these stats, not less expensive. Is there any amazing advantage of a pony I am missing?
Best Answer
Easy. I need a pack animal and I come across a guy selling a pony. A mule might be better on paper, but he's not selling a mule. I could hold out until I find a mule for sale, but in the meantime I have to leave some of this sellable loot behind because it's more than I can carry by myself. Is that actually more cost-efficient in the long run? Probably not, unless I somehow know for certain that there's a mule for sale somewhere nearby.
When looking at different options in table form like that, it's easy to think of it like a catalog or menu board. In the real world (game world?), you have to make choices based on the limited selection that you have available, which is usually not the full menu. In this scenario, buying the pony is a no-brainer. Should I happen across a mule for sale later I can sell my pony for almost what I paid for it (they don't depreciate like cars), buy the mule, and end up with most of my money back. If the difference between the pony's buy and sell price is less than the value of the additional loot it allowed you to carry, then you came out ahead.