Can intelligent mounts attack on your turn?

[howandwhy99]

Say, for instance, a PC is riding a Centaur. From what I understand they would both both share the same initiative.

If the Centaur was hit, a PC with mounted combat could roll a ride check 1/rd to negate the attack.

When charging, wouldn't both the Centaur and the PC get an attack (with +2 attacks and -2 ACs)?? Assuming this is true, couldn't both carry lances?

What about full round attacks? Would the Centaur and the PC BOTH do a full round attack on the same turn?

If the PC is a paladin and adopts the Centaur as a special mount (by DM's allowance), would it gain all the abilities (for the equivalent paladin level)??

Some of these Special Mount abilities include: Sharing Spells, Share Saving Throws, empathic link, improved evasion. It seems a centaur could even advance to Command other Centaurs per the spell. ??

 

[howandwhy99]

When charging, wouldn't both the Centaur and the PC get an attack (with +2 attacks and -2 ACs)?? Assuming this is true, couldn't both carry lances?

Ride-by-attack apparently is only allowed when charging. I'm guessing that charging counts as a double-move action for all mounts, intelligent or otherwise. So, maybe only the rider can attack??

Also, the Ride Skill details quite a few actions. How would having an intelligent mount affect these? Wouldn't "fight with warhorse" be unnecessary? If you can speak with your mount, would you need to make "guide with knees" checks?

 

[DM2]

My only real comment on the scenario is I don't really see allowing use of the mounted combat feat for the rider of a centaur.

Centaurs aren't dumb mounts that are trained to respond to the riders guidance...they're intelligent and would be going where they wish.

I might let them share the same initiative, but unless the centaur had humiliated himself and trained in some sort of "Guided by Horseman" skill wouldn't let him benefit from the rider's feats...

Counterarguments?

DM2

 

[howandwhy99]

My only real comment on the scenario is I don't really see allowing use of the mounted combat feat for the rider of a centaur.

Paladins can choose intelligent mounts. It's not in the SRD online, but 5th - 8th level paladins can choose advanced mounts. Some of which are as intelligent as a typical human. Griffons probably more so.

Does the Paladin's Special Mount become more like a cohort then? It seems like an NPC and PC fused together.

 

[silentspace]

I would say they have the same initiative since they move together.

I'd also say yes on the mounted combat. Edit: because maybe the rider can parry the blows

They could both charge attack, but remember reach! If the centaur charges with a heavy lance, the rider wouldn't be able to reach the target with her own heavy lance. More importantly, can you even use a lance while riding a centaur? Would the centaur's body get in the way? Seems like the centaur's torso would take up a lot more space than a horse's head. I'd say you couldn't make a reach attack through the front of a centaur, but could only attack from the side. After all, you can't reach attack through a fellow party member! (I'd also use the 3.0 convention of a 10x5 centaur, not 10x10)

Full round attacks for both would also be possible, assuming reach.

Paladin mounts are entirely up to your DM.

I'd say ride-by-attack applies to only the rider. If the centaur also had ride-by-attack, then I'd say both could attack.

Most ride skill checks would be unaffected, since your chances of staying balanced on your mount are not affected by how intelligent the mount is. Common sense should prevail. I'd also give a -5 penalty for an unsuitable mount. Its not really that much like a horse. What kind of riding tack do you use with a centaur?