Riding Attached (Ex) Weasels

[Legildur]

Rather than hijack the existing druid thread, I thought I'd post my questions separately.

Can a (size small) druid (or any character) riding a dire weasel remain mounted whilst the weasel is Attached (Ex)?

If so, can the druid use the Mounted Combat feat to attempt to negate one attack per round on the weasel?

And can the druid still use the Ride skill to claim the cover bonus to AC from the weasel?

I have in mind a halfling or gnome druid with the Natural Bond feat riding a dire weasel (for mobility rather than outright attack).

 

[the Jester]

I don't seem to recall anything in the RAW saying you can't do this, and it passes the "cool test"- so clearly, I need to use this idea in my campaign.

 

[Legildur]

I can see the Weasel needing Dodge, Mobility and Spring Attack feats. Mobility to help beat the AOO for closing through reach, and Spring Attack for when the Weasel fails to hit (which is quite likely as the Attack Bonus isn't that good) and needs to avoid a full attack.

Greater Magic Fang, Barkskin, Bull's Strength and Cat's Grace would be obvious buffs that can be shared that would improve the Weasel's effectiveness in getting a blood drain effect.

Anything else that anyone else can think of?

 

[Whizbang Dustyboots]

Can a (size small) druid (or any character) riding a dire weasel remain mounted whilst the weasel is Attached (Ex)?

Assuming a character can ride a dire weasel at all -- something I have trouble getting my head around, but there it is in the DMG, so that's our baseline for discussion -- I wouldn't think the attachment part would be a significant problem unless the weasel was attached to a roc or something.

 

[Legildur]

Attach (Ex)
A dire weasel that hits with its bite attack latches onto the opponent’s body with its powerful jaws. An attached dire weasel loses its Dexterity bonus to AC and thus has an AC of 12. An attached dire weasel can be struck with a weapon or grappled itself. To remove an attached dire weasel through grappling, the opponent must achieve a pin against the creature.

Are both the weasel and the creature to which the weasel is attached considered to be grappling?

I was just wondering whether the creature to which the weasel was attached would need to succeed first on a grapple check and then a pin in order to remove the weasel. For opponents without multiple attacks this could present a problem in the first round.

I don't think that they are grappling as the weasel is specifically identified as having a lower AC (denied Dex bonus to AC), but no other limitations are mentioned. This would also mean that the attached to creature still threatens within its reach.