Ride skill and getting cover for free?

[azmodean]

Here is why taking cover behind your mount is not overpowered. Your mount is generally very weak compared to you. If you are taking cover behind your mount "all the time" the simple answer is to kill the mount, which greatly hampers a mounted fighter in many ways. If you have a problem with a character taking cover all the time, kill the mount. Generally I have a problem targeting a character's mount. It seems like a kind of cheap shot, but if they are taking cover they are literally asking for it. (oh, and I wouldn't allow a character to make the defensive ride check for the mount while taking cover).

 

[Scharlata]

[...] Generally I have a problem targeting a character's mount. It seems like a kind of cheap shot, but if they are taking cover they are literally asking for it. (oh, and I wouldn't allow a character to make the defensive ride check for the mount while taking cover).

Hi!

I don't have a problem attacking a mount but, as you pointed out, the rider makes a defensive ride check and gets away for "free".

In 3.0 you could hit and damage the creature that gave cover [in this case: the mount]. That would be an option if it were an option in 3.5, but it's not.

And with what kind of justification would you deny the character the defensive ride check [if not for "game balancing reasons"]? The character bought the option with a feat [Mounted Combat].

Kind regards