Mounted PowerAttack with a lance


log in or register to remove this ad

Add 1 for 1 if using the lance one-handed. Add 2 for 1 if using the lance two-handed.

Two-handed also gives you 1.5x Str bonus on damage and a nice +4 vs. Disarm checks.

See Main 3.5e FAQ, page 12.
 


I'm on record as disagreeing with the FAQ on this one - vehemently :)

The lance is a two-handed weapon. The fact that you can wield it with one hand while mounted doesn't change that.

Power Attack with a one-handed weapon wielded in two hands or a two-handed weapon gives the 2-for-1 return.

Since the lance is a two-handed weapon (even though you're wielding it in one hand), it qualifies.

-Hyp.
 

Smurf, I'm with you on this one. Lances are kind of weird because of their intimate link with mounted combat, which makes it harder to think of how they SHOULD interact with other (non-mounted combat focused) game mechanics.

The lance is a weapon that is MEANT to do a lot of damage during a charge, but it's not as useful in other situations.

It really should have been explained better in the rulebook.
 


Many people have trouble visualizing how a lance could be used either one-handed or two-handed.

In the one-handed grip, the target was approached on the rider's left, with the lance couched across the horse's neck. The rider couched the lance as far out in front as possible. The exact amount varied from rider to rider, but usually 12-18 inches remained behind his armpit. The arm was "clamped" down over the lance to provide added grip and friction, and the lance hand supported the lance from underneath.

The two-handed grip involved raising the lance above the rider's head. The momentum of the point was allowed to carry the tip counter-clockwise, clearing the horse and rider' heads, and brought to a stop by the strength of the wrist alone. Once a solid hit is put on target, the rider focused his full body on delivering the blow. Arm, wrist and chest gripped the lance, while the abdominals contracted to assist the back, and the legs gripped the horse tightly.

If the lance did not break, the rider had to continue to "push" through the hit, either penetrating the target or "unhorsing" it. This was accomplished while simultaneously moving the bridle hand forward even as the body recoiled backwards, and strength was expended to maintain the contact.

http://www.classicalfencing.com/articles/shock.shtml
 

Hypersmurf said:
I'm on record as disagreeing with the FAQ on this one - vehemently :)

The lance is a two-handed weapon. The fact that you can wield it with one hand while mounted doesn't change that.

Power Attack with a one-handed weapon wielded in two hands or a two-handed weapon gives the 2-for-1 return.

Since the lance is a two-handed weapon (even though you're wielding it in one hand), it qualifies.
But by that logic, anyone who can handle a quarterstaff or a greatsword in one hand is automatically granted a 2-for-1 with PA. Sorry, but I have to go with how the weapon is being wielded at the moment of attack rather than weapon type.

Besides, it's all moot. The feature of the lance, when used in a mounted charge attack, would automatically double damage, that includes the 1-for-1 with PA; triple that with Spirited Charge.
 

Ranger REG said:
But by that logic, anyone who can handle a quarterstaff or a greatsword in one hand is automatically granted a 2-for-1 with PA.

Not necessarily. Most abilities in 3.5 that allow that don't say "you can wield a two-handed weapon in one hand"; they say "you can wield it as if it were a one-handed weapon". And a one-handed weapon only gets 2-for-1 if you wield it in two hands.

For example, an Ogre wielding a Medium greatsword in one hand doesn't get 2-for-1 PA; to him, the Medium greatsword is a one-handed weapon.

The mounted lance, on the other hand, is a two-handed weapon that happens to be wielded in one hand. It's completely different to the Ogre example.

Besides, it's all moot. The feature of the lance, when used in a mounted charge attack, would automatically double damage, that includes the 1-for-1 with PA; triple that with Spirited Charge.

Yes, but the 1-for-1 should be 2-for-1. Which then gets tripled for Spirited Charge.

-Hyp.
 

I'm with Hyp as well (although I lost this discussion with my group).

It's very much a special case. It's a two handed weapon that you can wield one-handed (not as a one-handed weapon - thanks for that distinction, oh blue one) IF you're mounted.

Clamped in hand, couched under arm and braced between the body and the horse's neck. Basically allowing the lancer to bring his entire body's strength to bear (AS well as the horse's).

Easily as 'hard' a hit as a two handed strike from a lance wielded on foot...

If one wanted to be even more realistic, one OUGHT to use the HORSE's strength modifiers for the calculation instead, if it's higher (with a ride check, say?)

A'Mal
 

Remove ads

Top