Mounted Combat - can I full attack /and/ have my mount attack?

[RangerWickett]

My DM recently pointed out a reading of mounted combat that I hadn't considered. We had assumed all you needed was a DC 10 Ride check to make your horse attack in combat, and that this didn't require an action at all. Then you could full attack, and so could your horse, which was very devastating.

However, the DM suggested that instead it takes a DC 10 Handle Animal check as a move action to make your horse attack, and then you have to make a DC 10 Ride check if you want to be able to attack while it's attacking. This would limit you to only a single attack (unless you're a ranger with a horse animal companion, which lets you handle as a free action).

Which is right?

 

[Cameron]

My DM recently pointed out a reading of mounted combat that I hadn't considered. We had assumed all you needed was a DC 10 Ride check to make your horse attack in combat, and that this didn't require an action at all. Then you could full attack, and so could your horse, which was very devastating.

However, the DM suggested that instead it takes a DC 10 Handle Animal check as a move action to make your horse attack, and then you have to make a DC 10 Ride check if you want to be able to attack while it's attacking. This would limit you to only a single attack (unless you're a ranger with a horse animal companion, which lets you handle as a free action).

Which is right?

No. If your horse is a warhorse, you just make the Ride check and you both get full attacks (provided you both didn't move more than 5ft).

 

[Primitive Screwhead]

This is the dichotomy between two closely related skills.. generally speaking when mounted on a horse you use the Ride skill only. Take the same horse and put them in the traces of a cart, now you use Handle Animal to get the same results.

Ride skill: "Fight with Warhorse: If you direct your war-trained mount to attack in battle, you can still make your own attack or attacks normally. This usage is a free action."

As long as you have a trained warhorse, full attack away... DC 10...
Yes, it can be devastating.. but the horse and rider are not being mobile and doing that nasty charging lance damage thing

If you don't have a trained warhorse.. Handle Animal eats up your move action.

 

[mvincent]

If you don't have a trained warhorse.. Handle Animal eats up your move action.

Actually, you still use the ride skill to control a mount that isn't trained for warfare (it does eat up a move action though).

The difference is you are using your ride skill to "Control Mount in Battle" instead of "Fight with Warhorse"