Rules of the game: Mounts part 1

[JimAde]

So this article was quite useful to me, as I have a couple of mounted fighters in my game and I was unclear on some things. Skip explained them for me and I feel better.

One thing bothered me, though:

When using your mount's Jump bonus, you also must succeed on a DC 15 Ride check. If you fail this check, you fall off the mount when it leaps. It's best to assume that you fall off wherever the mount begins the jump and that the mount does not attempt the jump if you fail to stay on.

Emphasis added, of course.

If the jump makes you fall, why would the mount NOT keep moving? If it didn't jump, why did you fall? Is he assuming the mount balked, and its sudden stop is what threw you? That's plausible, but not nearly as much fun as having the mount run off while you pick yourself up.

 

[jodyjohnson]

For rules clarity it's the best option.

For 'fun', I'd still go with Skip's ruling. Fun in this context is pretty subjective.

Whether the mount continues or not, I would definately have the rider fall off at the beginning of the jump.

I could see your interpretation happening if the mount were an unwilling mount. And intentionally trying to dismount the rider (bucking bronco).

 

[Ogrork the Mighty]

I agree with Skip, b/c the rider is the one controlling the mount and telling it where to go. If the rider falls off and the mount were to continue moving, where would it move to? There would be no one directing it so technically it could move wherever it wants to, which is something the rider really might not like. Especially if the jump was over a chasm and the mount now finds itself alone facing hordes of enemies with its rider back on the other side (and the rider probably wouldn't be able to direct it to jump back over to pick him up).

For clarity and ease of gameplay, it's much better for the mount to just stop when its rider falls off.

 

[Ridley's Cohort]

It is a simple ruling that may not be realistic in many cases, but avoids a huge annoying can of worms.

As a game balance issue falling off the horse is a sufficient penalty without adding messy, arbitrary rules about how screwed your mount would be as it is separated from its rider during combat.

 

[Dimwhit]

I agree it's flaky. I'd give the mount a Reflex save or Dex check to stop itself after the rider falls off. Talk about stopping on a dime...

 

[jodyjohnson]

Most of the time it should be a non-issue with +2 synergy with Handle Animal, +2 for Military Saddle, and a decent ride (should be Level+3 for a riding character). At 7th it would be a 'no roll' (10+2+2+d20) with no Dex bonus.

And unless your mount is special (companion, cohort, or bonded mount) the rider's Ride skill will outstrip the mount's Jump quickly.

 

[IndyPendant]

Well, looking at it historically, trained warhorses were so valuable for *two* reasons (most people only know of the first.)

The first reason was to keep it from panicking during the noises and violence of combat.

But! The second was so it would obey the stupid humans that wanted it to charge into the packs of other mad humans that had sharp nasty weapons. Or jump those high fences that could cripple it if it missed. Or that great big span that will *kill* it if it doesn't make the jump! Etc, etc.

Horses are stupid, as animals go--but they aren't (quite) lemmings, and are certainly not automatons that mindlessly carry out the last order given if left alone. The moment their master stops urging them towards that death-defying leap, the horse would likely try to stop, with a feeling of immense relief. ("Yes! I don't have to jump it anymore! Thank you master! --Master...?"

Not a very rules-lawyering answer, but I do think it's a valid common-sense answer, for general purposes...

 

[Greylock]

Just curious, but what article are you refering to? Something at the WotC site, or something else? A linky would be appreciated.

 

[Jeff Wilder]

I'm not sure why folks think Skip's suggestion is unrealistic. I used to jump, and a trained mount that throws a rider while heading into a jump will almost always immediately stop. (And usually look around at the spilled rider with an "it wasn't my fault" expression.) I never, in four or so years of fairly serious riding, had a mount even attempt a jump without me atop, whether on a course or on a trail. (Of course, that's only 15 or 20 falls, but still.)

 

[shilsen]

Just curious, but what article are you refering to? Something at the WotC site, or something else? A linky would be appreciated.

Here you go