Do Mounts Add to the CR?

[FireLance]

This is how I usually do it:

If the NPC has the mount because of a class feature, the mount is included in the NPC's CR. This makes for some odd cases, like a 1st-level halfling druid mounted on a riding dog, but there is enough of a fudge factor in CR that it doesn't matter very much. If necessary, the DM can include an easier encounter in the same adventure to balance it out.

If the NPC has obtained the mount by spending other resources, e.g. gold (leaving him with less wealth for other gear), or the Leadership feat, the mount is also included in the NPC's CR.

If the mount is effectively a separate entity from the NPC, then its CR adds to that of the NPC.

 

[nittanytbone]

Are four nomads harder to defeat if (A) mounted or (B) not mounted?

And can a level 1 warrior afford a warhorse?

I think that the warriors probably can't afford the horses, and defeating them while mounted is certainly much more of a challenge than defeating the four of them on foot. Thus the party should get more XP.

 

[Asmor]

I'd say no. Any increase in combat effectiveness through the use of a mount is directly related to the rider's skills, feats and actions. Therefore, a mount is a neutral NPC/treasure hybrid.

This, however, applies only to "normal" mounts, the sort which one wouldn't expect to fight on its own. If it's something like a worg or a dinosaur, which presents a challenge on its own, then absolutely it should add to the CR.

 

[Jack Simth]

Are four nomads harder to defeat if (A) mounted or (B) not mounted?

And can a level 1 warrior afford a warhorse?

I think that the warriors probably can't afford the horses, and defeating them while mounted is certainly much more of a challenge than defeating the four of them on foot. Thus the party should get more XP.

A light Warhorse is 75 gp; assosicated gear runs another 10-26 gp. Level 1 NPC gear is valued at 900 gp. Not only can they afford the warhorses, they can add some barding on top.

Edit:
Taken to extreme, though, the Human NPC Warrior 1 (cr 1/2!) can have four Riding Dogs (individually CR 1) trained for war, put them all in studded leather armor (+3 AC, so those dogs are AC 19, 13 HP, and Bite +3 Melee for 1d6+3, with a trip option as a bonus), and have enough left over for scale mail and a Tower Shield for himself (+8 AC, with the option of total cover). Train them all with the same commands, take skill focus (Handle Animal) and Animal Affinity, maximum ranks in Handle Animal, put the highest roll from the nonelete array into Charisma, and he can make the DC 20 training checks by taking 10 (he's got +10 modifier to Handle Animal), and have them attack the party on a roll of 1 (Handling an animal is a DC 10 task).

Four attack dogs is not a CR 1/2 encounter, even though the Wizard with Charm Person prepared can end it right quick... unless the NPC forgot to teach the dogs the "down" command.

 

[AngelBob]

I figure the leader "owns" the horses. Seems like a good tribal setup, The warlord owns the horses, the warriors get to ride them.

 

[nittanytbone]

I figure the leader "owns" the horses. Seems like a good tribal setup, The warlord owns the horses, the warriors get to ride them.

In which case the tribal leader "owns" the warriors too -- he just pays them the NPC hireling rates, right?

No, this encounter is more challenging because of the mounts and the PCs should be entitled to more XP for overcoming it.

 

[Klaus]

A light Warhorse is 75 gp; assosicated gear runs another 10-26 gp. Level 1 NPC gear is valued at 900 gp. Not only can they afford the warhorses, they can add some barding on top.

Edit:
Taken to extreme, though, the Human NPC Warrior 1 (cr 1/2!) can have four Riding Dogs (individually CR 1) trained for war, put them all in studded leather armor (+3 AC, so those dogs are AC 19, 13 HP, and Bite +3 Melee for 1d6+3, with a trip option as a bonus), and have enough left over for scale mail and a Tower Shield for himself (+8 AC, with the option of total cover). Train them all with the same commands, take skill focus (Handle Animal) and Animal Affinity, maximum ranks in Handle Animal, put the highest roll from the nonelete array into Charisma, and he can make the DC 20 training checks by taking 10 (he's got +10 modifier to Handle Animal), and have them attack the party on a roll of 1 (Handling an animal is a DC 10 task).

Four attack dogs is not a CR 1/2 encounter, even though the Wizard with Charm Person prepared can end it right quick... unless the NPC forgot to teach the dogs the "down" command.

If by "level 1 NPC gear" you mean "Level 2 PC gear", then I agree.

 

[Asmor]

If by "level 1 NPC gear" you mean "Level 2 PC gear", then I agree.

Level 1 NPC gear IS 900 gold.

Level 2 NPC gear is 2000 gold.

So says the PHB 2, at least, and I'd bet dollars to cents that there's a table somewhere in the DMG to coroborate.

 

[phindar]

No, this encounter is more challenging because of the mounts and the PCs should be entitled to more XP for overcoming it.

QFT.

 

[Stalker0]

If you expect them to meaningfully participate in the combat, then yes. Especially at low levels, where even a light warhorse can do significant damage.

Definately agree with this. At 1st-2nd level, the horse is actually pretty scary. Good hps, decent AC and attacks. By 4th level, I would stop including him, but definately take him into account if your party is still low level.