Mounted combat

[Destil]

I really don't have trouble dividing a 60ft move by 2 (or even 3) to find out where the arrows would be loosed. And I've been doing d6 per 10 feet cumulative since 1st Ed. I guess I must be some sort of ulta-genius math wiz though.

Really, it's just extra complexity that adds nothing to the game and is easy to add back in anyway, if you care. All in all making a somewhat complex rule (which it would end up being, because it would go against the very much fundamental idea of all attacks being from basically the same spot in a round, and have trickle-down effects in various places) to cover this wouldn't be worth the trouble.

Though I do like exponential falling damage.

 

[plavi]

I still dunno....

I still don't know as what for kind of action the controlling of a mount counts?

Does it count as a move-equivalent action and the fact you can shoot multiple arrows is an exception?
Or is it a free action, and the fact you can only attack once with your melee weapon after a movement is an exception?

I've read the example in the S&F and there is a reference there to one of the characters drawing a weapon as a move-equivalent action, however, I can for the life of me not figure out how the exact rules are.

Anbody any intelligent guesses? Or just knows how it is? Sage advise? Errata maybe.... *hopeful looks*

 

[Darklone]

It's not defined as action.

It simply says: You can only perform partial melee actions while riding more than 5ft.

 

[plavi]

So that means I can still do move-equivalent actions as part of a standard action while riding a horse?

For example:
-ride towards an enemy, draw a weapon, and attack once?
-not ride at all, load a light crossbow and shoot it? How about when I am doing a single move? And when doing a double move?
-do a double move and shoot 2 arrows from a shortbow at midpoint (at -2 of course)?
-ride, retrieve a potion (move equiv action), drink a potion (move equiv action).

 

[Rackhir]

The reason why you can only take a partial action if doing a melee attack, is basically the same reason why you only get a partial action if you are moving more than 5' on foot. Essentially it take too much time to "get to" the target for you to unleash a full volley of blows. Again it's another simplification.

The reason you can get a full attack in while doing archery is that unlike a melee attack, you can effectively be shooting during the entire time you are riding. As opposed to a melee attack where you have to wait until you get to the target and then probably are moving past it.

IRL a good rider with a familiar mount is supposed to be able to control the mount using just pressure from the legs and other subtle indications. So its not really taking an action.

The Drawing weapon example is shown as taking a partial action, because drawing a weapon takes a partial action, it has nothing to do with the char being on a horse. Any action that you perform on a mount is still going to take the same amount of time it would take you on foot at least.

So it's not "controlling the horse" that causes you to only get the partial action, its the time it takes to get to the target. The horse's movement essentially takes place separately from what ever actions you are doing. So, yes you can take your full complement of standard actions, though there may be penalties if the mount is taking more than a standard move. There are for both mounted combat and archery.

 

[shilsen]

So that means I can still do move-equivalent actions as part of a standard action while riding a horse?

For example:
-ride towards an enemy, draw a weapon, and attack once?
-not ride at all, load a light crossbow and shoot it? How about when I am doing a single move? And when doing a double move?
-do a double move and shoot 2 arrows from a shortbow at midpoint (at -2 of course)?
-ride, retrieve a potion (move equiv action), drink a potion (move equiv action).

Check the section on Mounted Combat in the PHB (pg.138). It answers all your questions (as follows):

-ride towards an enemy, draw a weapon, and attack once?

YES

-not ride at all, load a light crossbow and shoot it? How about when I am doing a single move? And when doing a double move?

YES. YES. YES (at -4 to hit).

-do a double move and shoot 2 arrows from a shortbow at midpoint (at -2 of course)

YES (at -4, not -2).

-ride, retrieve a potion (move equiv action), drink a potion (move equiv action).

YES.

 

[Bastoche]

And I've been doing d6 per 10 feet cumulative since 1st Ed. I guess I must be some sort of ulta-genius math wiz though.

That would not be much better than linear damage.

Energy = mass times (speed)^2.

Speed is linear in acceleration.

So you should make the damage (1d6 per 10 feet minus 1)^2

10 feet = no damage
20 feet = 1d6
30 feet = 4d6
40 feet = 9d6
50 feet = 16d6
etc.

 

[plavi]

@shilsen

Thanx for your time! I've read the entry in the PHB multiple times, but it mostly gives some examples, and hardly the hard and fast rules.

It is then how I think it is, while mounted and the mount is moving (or standing still, whichever you like) I can just do a normal standard action, including full round actions, with the notable exception of melee attacks (or better: a maximum of 1 melee attack) after movement.

Well, I guess I'll keep it at that then.

Laying all your comments next to the somewhat short description in the PHB has given me all the info that I need


Everybody thanx for their time!

 

[Gaiden]

As a related question - when does the +1 to mounted combat apply?

Always

Only when you face opponents of equal size or less who are not mounted?

Only when you face opponents of equal size who are not mounted or of less size who are mounted on a creature up to your size?

Any of the above options with or without the caveat that you are physically above the creature.