Mounted Combat, Charge question...

[Greylock]

I have been playing a Mounted Combat specialist for quite a few monthes now, but something "new-to-me-at-least" has come up as I try to figure out a new, and unusual, mount.

My first mount has reached Legendary status in our game, even though my char was/is low level. She bit an Ogre to death. Bards the length of Maissen are singing the Tale of Avarshan and the Ogre already. But in spite of this, I was always conservative with her in game. I rarely used her as a weapon, other than helping deliver my lance to it's target. Her weapons, hoof and bite, I mean. Did everything in my power to keep her alive, and avoided using her attacks.

She is gone now, having passed far too young while helping my char protect the party in a tactical retreat. I had another unremarkable mount for a game or two, but my benevolent DM has provided me with a new mount.

This one is hardier, stronger, and has a strong attack. It will not be so necessary for me to hold this one back. So this invites the question that has never occurred to me before:

Can my mount attack when my char calls for a Mounted Charge? This mount has a Head-Butt attack, which seems like it would be far more complimentary my lance/sword attack than a hoof or bite attack.

Here's hoping my most illustrious DM still doesn't read the Rules Forum. He already freaked when our Druid got Call Lightning. ;p

 

[italianranma]

I think the confusing issue is that you must stop after a charge, and that your lance has reach, and you share your mount's space, so it's like you get to 10' of your target and stop. But it's important to remember that according to the text on PHB pg 157 (3.5) your mount is the actual character charging, not you.

If your mount charges, you also take the AC penalty associated with a charge. If you make an attack at the end of the charge, you recieve the bonus gained from the charge. When charging on horseback you deal double damage with a lance.

Your mount must make an attack at the end of the charge, so you're in the clear. Both you and your mount gain one 'charge' attack.

Incidentally why did your DM freak out with call lightining? I scared mine more with a dual flaming scimitar wielding driud concept.

 

[Greylock]

***

 

[Greylock]

Any confirmation or rebuttal of Italianranma's post would be appreciated.

And the Druid casting Call Lightning for the first time is the most amenable, good-hearted, and gracious DM's wife. It is a fun group, but even the DM was a bit suprised when the sky started to fall all about his nasty hag/gnoll ambush the first time.

 

[jodyjohnson]

Unless the rider and mount have the same reach it's not possible within the RAW for you both to get a charge attack against the same opponent.

Individual DMs might house rule this to allow the mount to move 5' after the lance attack and get it's charge attack in.

Within the rules you could attack normally at 10' away and then let the mount finish its charge. You are allowed a single melee attack at any point during your mount's movement if it moves more than 5' (but it couldn't be a charge in this case).

Ride-by attack doesn't give the mount an attack at all.

With Spirited Charge and a very strong mount attack I'd go with a shorter weapon and get the charge from both.

Italianranma's ruling would be fair but gives more emphasis to the 'must attack at the end of the charge' than I would by virtue of a number of situations where an attack would be possible before the charge, but by actions on the part of the target becomes impossible.

 

[Greylock]

The char is primarily a sword-wielder. It has been his custom to use the lance for only the initial attack, then drop it and continue melee with the sword. So it does work within the RAW if he goes in with the sword instead of lance? Interesting. This is sounding mighty good to me.

Thanks ;p.

 

[Jeremy E Grenemyer]

Maybe you could convince your DM to help you create (and then take for your character) a Feat that allows the mount to attack on a charge action? "Joint-Charge" or something similar?

J. Grenemyer

 

[alsih2o]

Maybe you could convince your DM to help you create (and then take for your character) a Feat that allows the mount to attack on a charge action? "Joint-Charge" or something similar?

J. Grenemyer

His DM tells a decent story, but sucks at the urles.

 

[Mahali]

Maybe you could convince your DM to help you create (and then take for your character) a Feat that allows the mount to attack on a charge action? "Joint-Charge" or something similar?
J. Grenemyer

IMHO definately not worth a preciouse Feat.

W/ 3.5 facing either get the same reach as your mount (use a small lance if you have to) or see if you can get your DM to allow the attack by your mount at the same time. If not I wouldn't waste a feet on it.

 

[Greylock]

Thanks, everyone. The idea of creating a feat to use a lance does seem a bit much, when all I have to do is stay with the char's primary weapon. I was gonna run this by the Ass't DM, rules-lawyer/DJ, but then I recalled that he attacks with his bow and with his critter all the time. He just doesn't charge around much in combat. Not his char's role.

I think alsih20 rues the day this party morphed into an overland explorers society instead of dungeon delvers.