Mounted Combat

[elbandit]

Howdy!

I am slightly confused by some aspects of the combat rules for mounted combat. Hopefully someone can claify this for me.

When you have a normal mount you have to make a ride check to contriol it in combat. What consitutes as being "in Combat"? Is this when you are actually in melee combat or when you are near combat? Does this only apply when you want to make a melee attack or does it apply if you want to cast a spell? How do other GMs handle this?

Thanks!

 

[Nail]

When you have a normal mount you have to make a ride check to contriol it in combat. What consitutes as being "in Combat"?

Combat: When someone is attacking you. When you cast a spell or use a weapon to attack someone.

 

[elbandit]

Combat: When someone is attacking you. When you cast a spell or use a weapon to attack someone.

What constitutes "attacking you"? Does this mean when inititive is rolled and an opponet is approaching you or 30 feet away... or does this mean when an opponet is physically attacking you and making to hit rolls?

 

[Kae'Yoss]

Combat = when you use initiative to track time, when you are near a battle field. You'll have to make ride checks for the horse when it hears the clashing of swords and the anguished cries of the unfortunate, from only 30 feet away. I say as long as the horse can hear and see the fighting, you will have your problems in keeping it under control (i.e. make those ride checks).

 

[Nail]

What constitutes "attacking you"? Does this mean when inititive is rolled and an opponet is approaching you or 30 feet away... or does this mean when an opponet is physically attacking you and making to hit rolls?

I guess I'm not sure what has you confused.

You (the riding character) must make ride checks to do certain actions during your turn. These actions are listed in the Ride skill desciption, and include:

• Guide with Knees: So you can use both hands in combat.
  
• Stay in Saddle: Avoid falling when you take damage.
  
• Fight with Warhorse: Direct your warhorse to attack.
  
• Cover: Use your mount as cover.
  
• Control Mount in Battle: Control a mount untrained for battle.

Put another way: If you attack, or if someone damages you, you have to roll a Ride skill check. Questions?

 

[Nail]

Also: You can't critically fail a skill check, so many of checks (like Stay in Saddle) you probably automatically make, given sufficient Ride skill.

Example: I don't require the Paldin's player to roll Stay in Saddle as his Ride skill check is +12.

 

[silentspace]

Just think about a skittish animal. Lots of things will make them afraid or want to run away. Even a loud noise can set an untrained horse off. Hopefully you'll be able to afford a war mount soon.

 

[elbandit]

Howdy!

Well I am actually the GM of the group and out of the 8 players only 2 of them have war-horse mounts. I wanted to make sure I have been running Mounted combats correctly since one of the players questioned me on it.

Essentially what I have been doing is once Initiative has been rolled I count that as combat. Since the party is currently wandering around in the bramblewoods this is normally right after some craeture has ambushed or attacked them.

I have been making the players make ride checks to be able to do anything such as cast a spell or move to attack if they do not ahve a warhorse. Is that correct?

So am I doing it correctly?

 

[Nail]

I have been making the players make ride checks to be able to do anything such as cast a spell or move to attack if they do not ahve a warhorse. Is that correct?

Uhm......

If they don't ride warhorses, they need to make DC 20 Ride checks each round. Even if they don't move or attack. Period. Here:

• 
  Did the PC take damage while riding? If so, DC 5 Ride check to stay in the saddle. This happens each time the PC takes damage during a round.
  
  Is the PC riding a warhorse? If not, he must use a Move action, DC 20 Ride check, to control his mount. If he fails, he can't do anything else that round.
  
  Is the mounted character using two hands in combat? (sword and board, for example) If so, he must make a DC 5 ride check, or be unable to use one of his two hands. He can't do this with an untrained mount.