Ride skill and getting cover for free?

[Scharlata]

Hello!

I got to get to know when you do get cover from your mount as described in the PHB under the Ride skill, please!

Do you get cover (DC 15 Ride skill check) instantaneously every time you are attacked whilst mounted, or do you have to announce that you want to get cover for the rounnd you trying to get cover?

What bothers me is the part: "you can't attack while trying to get cover"....

Kind regards and thanx in advance

 

[Greylock]

Using a mount for cover would require the use of both hands, legs, knees, etc. And you wouldn't be able to see your attacker. Kinda hurts if you are thinking of attacking. I think it's meant as a special move action, not something instant like the Mounted Combat reflex, and not supposed to be a free action either. I'd say you have to call it on your move.

And seeking cover is a defensive action. The cover the horse provides would fall under the rules on page 150. My question would be, does the mount take the damage intended for you if the attack is still successful? Makes it a sub-par skill for general use if that is the case. Too risky.

 

[Saeviomagy]

Using a mount for cover would require the use of both hands, legs, knees, etc. And you wouldn't be able to see your attacker. Kinda hurts if you are thinking of attacking. I think it's meant as a special move action, not something instant like the Mounted Combat reflex, and not supposed to be a free action either. I'd say you have to call it on your move.

It says, quite specifically that it's an immediate action that doesn't take an action to perform. It also says "you react instantly". Nothing action, done in response to a declared attack.

And seeking cover is a defensive action. The cover the horse provides would fall under the rules on page 150. My question would be, does the mount take the damage intended for you if the attack is still successful? Makes it a sub-par skill for general use if that is the case. Too risky.

Unless your DM uses the optional rule "striking cover", then no.

 

[Scharlata]

It says, quite specifically that it's an immediate action that doesn't take an action to perform. It also says "you react instantly". Nothing action, done in response to a declared attack.

Unless your DM uses the optional rule "striking cover", then no.

Hi!
That's it what bothers me...
It's kinda overpowered, IYKWIM.
Riding gets one more powerful benefit.....
Kind regards

 

[Len]

It says, quite specifically that it's an immediate action that doesn't take an action to perform. It also says "you react instantly". Nothing action, done in response to a declared attack.

But it also says "You can’t attack or cast spells while using your mount as cover", which makes no sense if it's instantaneous and doesn't take an action on your turn.

There's definitely something wonky about that rule.

 

[Eldragon]

My question would be, does the mount take the damage intended for you if the attack is still successful? Makes it a sub-par skill for general use if that is the case. Too risky.

Generally I don't enforce the striking cover rules, but in this case cover is a living creature. So I take the original attack roll and check it against the mount's AC. If the attack is successful, the mount takes damage. Of course this makes barding quite useful.

 

[Saeviomagy]

Hi!
That's it what bothers me...
It's kinda overpowered, IYKWIM.
Riding gets one more powerful benefit.....
Kind regards

This is riding, right?

That ability where almost no matter who you are, your mount will be a liability past about 5th level?

 

[Greylock]

My mounted char is halfway through 5th level. I'll get back to you after he reaches 6th.

 

[Romnipotent]

DC15 ride check to use it as cover, DC15 to fast remount and make an attack or cast
applicable against all the foes as well I think, the opponent gets wind of this and targets the mount, where you can make one ride check (with mounted combat) against one attack roll, if ride > attack, attack fails.

The idea is that you fall to one side of the horse and hold on to the reigns, then jump back to attack in your turn. If applying mounted combat as well to avoid the mount getting hit, make another check. Often ride check mod is higher than horses total AC mod.

 

[Scharlata]

[...] The idea is that you fall to one side of the horse and hold on to the reigns, then jump back to attack in your turn. If applying mounted combat as well to avoid the mount getting hit, make another check. Often ride check mod is higher than horses total AC mod.

Thanx t'all for your replies, but I don't know if you got me right.

Again: My question is: Why does the text mention that you trying to get cover against an attack is an immediate action that does not consume time on your account AND mentions that you can't attack when you are trying to get cover?

If you are trying to get cover against any one attack (in effect, as a "free" action in response of another's action) you can't take an action because it's not your turn. So the text mentioning that you can't attack whilst trying to get cover is superfluous.

If, OTOH, you don't spend any "real" time to get the benefit of cover, this portion of the ride skill is, IMHO, overpowered because this means that if you have a decent ride skill you get cover as long as you stay in your mount's saddle [stacking with any armor/shield/whatsoever bonus] and can attack/cast spells as normal [then the text mentioning that you can't attack is confusing].

I think I'll house-rule this one, as long as I can't get a grip on the real meaning. I'll go with, say: "If you are trying to get cover against each attack from the beginning of your turn until it is your turn again, you must announce trying to do so on your turn. The Dc is 15 against each attack."

Kind regards