Level Up (A5E) Mounting vs Grab On

[Anonymous3]

Just realized that there might be two different ways to approach mounting.

Mounted Combat
A creature can ride on top of another creature at least one size larger than its own, provided the bigger creature can support its weight. Mounting or dismounting a creature costs half your movement and can be performed once per turn.

Grab On
Basic maneuver Action
While you cannot grapple a creature two or more size categories larger than you, you can grab onto it. By jumping onto its back or climbing up a limb, you can make a Strength or Dexterity saving throw against the creature’s maneuver DC to cling to or balance upon its body. On a success, you move into the creature’s space and can move upon its body as if it is difficult terrain.

So my understanding is that mount/dismount is half your movement and you can only ride a creature that is at least one size larger than you - inferring that you can only mount this way. However, if a creature is two or more size categories larger than you it is easier to use Grab On than to try to "mount"/get onto them.

That seems strange to me. Provided that I am medium creature, this means I need no movement to use Grab On to essentially mount a huge creature but I cannot do this when Grab On is used on a large mount (one size category greater than me).

Am I missing something?

 

[Tablite]

Grabbing on does not give you the benefits of being Mounted (see attached) or allow you to gain the benefits of things like the Mounted weapon property or Mounted Combatant fighting style. It's closer to a Grapple than a mount (as mentioned in the first line).

Thematically, mounting is a beneficial/friendly action, and grabbing on is for hostile creatures (given how much it talks about attacks).

 

[Morrus]

Grabbed On and Miounted are two different things. Mounted gives you a bunch of advantages which Grabbed On does not, if you use the Grab On maneuver, you won’t be mounted.

 

[Anonymous3]

Clear. Thank you!