Grappling a mounted opponent...

[Arravis]

Are there any special rules for grappling a mounted opponent?

 

[Camarath]

I can not find any special rules for grappling while mounted.

 

[reanjr]

Are there any special rules for grappling a mounted opponent?

Not that I can think of. Man. That's a hole.

I'd house rules that on a successful grapple, you dismount the rider (or you dismount yourself if you are the rider). It makes things alot easier than having the attacker cart along with the horse.

Man.

Someone should think harder on this. I've already thought of 2 dozen holes in my suggestion. Ignore me.

 

[Arravis]

This thread might have the "answer" to this issue.

Same topic on the WotC boards...

 

[Laurel]

feel free to tell me why I am wrong here

That actually is a good answer on the other board. My only thing would be about "You automatically lose the grapple attempt if the target is 'two or more size categories larger than you are'. (Per SRD)"
You are grappling the rider not the horse. I think the size category should only apply to the rider not the combined size of rider and mount.
I am also not sure about the horse getting an AoO on it's own. I can see how the rider can use the horse for an AoO, but not giving both the rider and the mount and AoO.

 

[Camarath]

Looks like a good way to adjudicate the situation. It is of couse not exactly square with the rules as written but to get the results you want you may have to work outside the rules in this case.

 

[dcollins]

See under Trip. PHB: Combat chapter, "Trip":

Tripping a Mounted Opponent: You may make a trip attack against a mounted opponent. The defender may use his Ride skill in place of his Dexterity or Strength check. If you succeed, you pull the rider from his mount.

 

[Arravis]

If it doesn't "square" with the rules... how would it?
I don't have a particular side or outcome in mind, I just want to know what the rule is for grappling a mounted opponent.

As far as tripping, we knew of that, but we want to know what happens if you attempt a grapple, not a trip.

 

[dcollins]

Personally, I would take my direction from the fact that specified rules are given under Trip and not under Grapple. If a player wanted to Grapple a mounted rider, I would require that they Trip (pull) them to the ground first, then Grapple.

 

[Ferret]

What happens when you don't just pull them off?

I'd rule that after suceeding the grapple either can make another to pull them off the horse/on to the horse. This would be an opposed graple or rid vs grapple check.