Mounted Combat

[Kirowan]

I need some help understanding how mounted combat works. I never used it before in third edition.

The text on pg. 157 says that, "Your mount acts on your initiative count as you direct it. You move at its speed, but the mount uses its action to move."

Does that mean if I move my horse at any point during my turn using a move action, the horse exhausts its standard action and move action for the round?

Would that also mean that if I wanted my horse to attack, I couldn't move at all in the round?

Basically, I'm having trouble understanding how a PC's actions for the round and a mount's actions for the round interact. Are mounts even supposed to get a standard action and a move action every round like everyone else?

Also, the Ride skill description says that a character can use a free action to use his mount for cover but can't attack or cast spells while doing so. How long does this last? What kind of action is required to get back up on the mount? The description makes it seem like you can keep bobbing up and down on your mount every time you are attacked. I know that can't be right.

Thanks for any help you guys can give me,

Nick

 

[Lord Pendragon]

I need some help understanding how mounted combat works. I never used it before in third edition.

All the following responses are based on 3.0. I have no knowledge of whether any of this has changed for 3.5.

Does that mean if I move my horse at any point during my turn using a move action, the horse exhausts its standard action and move action for the round?

Your horse has the same capabilities as you do. The only caveat is that the two of you are constrained by the fact that you both occupy the same square. So you could both attack, then the horse moves. Or you could move, then you both attack. Basically you have to be where the horse is, and the horse has to be where you are, and the two of you move at the same time. So you can't attack and move, but have your horse move and attack. But you can both attack, and then move. And you can both move, and then attack.

Would that also mean that if I wanted my horse to attack, I couldn't move at all in the round?

Your horse, again, has the same options of movement as you do. If your horse attacks once (1 hoof, standard action) it can still move its normal movement rate. If it wants to full-attack (2 hooves and a bite, full-round action) it can only move 5 feet.

Basically, I'm having trouble understanding how a PC's actions for the round and a mount's actions for the round interact. Are mounts even supposed to get a standard action and a move action every round like everyone else?

Yes, they get all the actions an ordinary creature does. Think of it this way: You substitute your speed for your horse's. Then, if you make an attack, also make one for the horse. If you make a full attack, also make one for the horse.

Also, the Ride skill description says that a character can use a free action to use his mount for cover but can't attack or cast spells while doing so. How long does this last? What kind of action is required to get back up on the mount? The description makes it seem like you can keep bobbing up and down on your mount every time you are attacked. I know that can't be right.

If you make a DC15 ride check, you can drop down and use your horse as cover. You cannot attack or cast spells. Both conditions (cover and no-attacking/spells) last the entire round. Getting back on your horse requires the same amount of time it always does.

 

[Kirowan]

Re: Re: Mounted Combat

If you make a DC15 ride check, you can drop down and use your horse as cover. You cannot attack or cast spells. Both conditions (cover and no-attacking/spells) last the entire round. Getting back on your horse requires the same amount of time it always does.

So, the PC would have to either take a normally mount the horse as a move equivalent action or try for a fast mount to get back up on the horse after using it for cover?

Thanks for your help Pendragon. Man, ENWorld is a friendly place.

Nick

 

[Lord Pendragon]

Re: Re: Re: Mounted Combat

So, the PC would have to either take a normally mount the horse as a move equivalent action or try for a fast mount to get back up on the horse after using it for cover?

Right.

Thanks for your help Pendragon. Man, ENWorld is a friendly place.

Nick

No problem. And you're right, the guys around here are pretty darned friendly.