D&D 5E Sneak Attack question

[TrueBagelMan]

If a rogue is on a mount does that mean as long as they don’t have disadvantage, that there sneak attack is always available because there mount is count as an enemy of who the rogue is attacking?

 

[MarkB]

Technically yes. I'd probably only allow it with a mount that was trained for combat (i.e. one that could be relied upon to attack your enemies if you're not controlling it, rather than running away), otherwise I would consider it to be no threat to the target, and therefore not an enemy.

 

[Oofta]

Maybe? If it's an intelligent mount, absolutely. The gray area to me is if it's a controlled mount. The mount isn't really threatening your target if it's under the rogue's control since it can only dash, disengage or dodge but can't attack.

But mounted combat is one of those areas that always felt a bit half-baked. I mean, if you're riding a war horse half the reason for that is so that your horse can attack. But it's not really an option unless you let the horse do whatever they want. In a home campaign, I'd bend the rules a bit, for AL I'd probably say no because by a strict reading of the rules the mount is no threat. If the mount is no threat it is not the enemy of your enemy.

 

[DND_Reborn]

Keep in mind also if you have Mounted Combatant, any attack you make against a target smaller than your mount is with advantage.

So, even if you couldn't count the mount as an ally or whatever, you still can get advantage and SA anyway against medium and smaller targets.

 

[Charlaquin]

Does a mount count as an ally? Certainly an intelligent mount like a centaur who is allowing you to ride them is. But a trained warhorse you’re controlling? Harder to say.

 

[MarkB]

Does a mount count as an ally? Certainly an intelligent mount like a centaur who is allowing you to ride them is. But a trained warhorse you’re controlling? Harder to say.

Sneak attack doesn't trigger off having one of your allies adjacent to the target. It triggers off having an enemy of the target adjacent to the target. If the mount is visibly aggressive towards the target, it should count as an enemy.

 

[Sword of Spirit]

I assume a trained combat mount knows how to fight effectively when allowed to act independently. You can control the mount until you get them where you want them to, then release them to act independently. Otherwise they are just a speed boost that eats a lot.

 

[Charlaquin]

Sneak attack doesn't trigger off having one of your allies adjacent to the target. It triggers off having an enemy of the target adjacent to the target. If the mount is visibly aggressive towards the target, it should count as an enemy.

Oh, you’re right. My mistake.

 

[auburn2]

In said case you will have SA as long as you do not have disadvantage, the mount is within 5 feet of the enemy and the mount is not incapacitated. That means you will get SA most of the time (unless you are using a whip) but it is not "always available".

That is how I would rule FWIW.

 

[Paul Farquhar]

Ruling: It only counts as an enemy if it is a threat. So a controlled mount or one that has no attacks does not count. If the mount is uncontrolled and has an attack then it counts.