What's the deal with 2handed weapons while mounted?

[ForceUser]

We all know at this point that lances can be used 1handed while mounted. But what about other 2handed weapons? There are no rules that I have found declaring one way or the other whether characters can fight with greatswords and ranseurs and such from horseback. Historically, I believe, the answer is they cannot. The 3.5 rules don't seem to make a statement either way.

My gut feeling is to ad hoc a -4 penalty for fighting with a 2handed weapon from horseback, or to outlaw 2handed combat while mounted altogether. Visually, I can't reconcile the image of a PC trying to use a greatsword while mounted. But I can't imagine how one would fight with a dire flail either, but by rule one can, so that is no basis for a ruling.

Have any of you dealt with this, and what have you decided?

 

[Hypersmurf]

As long as you make the Ride check to Guide With Knees, you're fine.

-Hyp.

 

[ForceUser]

As long as you make the Ride check to Guide With Knees, you're fine.

-Hyp.

*breathes deeply*

Abstract system. It's an abstract system, ForceUser. Let it go.

 

[Alejandro]

I'll note that mounted heroes in Asian history/mythology often fight with spears and glaives (yari and naginata).

 

[youspoonybard]

In fact, you'd get the +1 height bonus if you smack people lower than you with an unarmed strike, even!

 

[paulewaug]

Hey ForceUser!

I had the same problem when one of the players in my game started using his greatsword form the back of his horse.

It really makes No sense to me, and I kind of thought maybe the rules didn't allow it. I later looked it up and realized that I was just remembering how things were in Warhammer fantasy battles, and as Hypersmurf points out there is nothing to disallow the use of a great sword from horse back, so I just said heck with it whatever it's not worth the grief I'll just let it go.

If the sorcerer can zip off a magic missile from her finger tips while Flying, why the heck stress over the lack of plausibility of using a greatsword from horseback?! (Still sound bogus to me though....sheesh if Warhammer can have a rule to stop it why not D&D...ahh well)

Ohh yeah! Regarding Asian mounted fighting styles!
I used to play a video game a Long time ago (my the arcade version of dynasty warriors??) where you could pick from 3 (I think) different mounted Samurai type dudes (each wore a different color, I only remember blue and green, probably red for the 3rd?) and they each used a different kind of pole arm.
That game was So cool and the warriors looked awesome using their spears and naginatas and glaives from horse back. The upshot is that they are hafted weapons so it makes more sense for a horseman.

 

[Ranger REG]

We all know at this point that lances can be used 1handed while mounted. But what about other 2handed weapons? There are no rules that I have found declaring one way or the other whether characters can fight with greatswords and ranseurs and such from horseback. Historically, I believe, the answer is they cannot. The 3.5 rules don't seem to make a statement either way.

My gut feeling is to ad hoc a -4 penalty for fighting with a 2handed weapon from horseback, or to outlaw 2handed combat while mounted altogether. Visually, I can't reconcile the image of a PC trying to use a greatsword while mounted. But I can't imagine how one would fight with a dire flail either, but by rule one can, so that is no basis for a ruling.

Have any of you dealt with this, and what have you decided?

I allow two-handed melee weapon use on mount with no penalty and no benefit, unless otherwise noted in the weapon description. And as someone noted earlier, one needs to make a skill check to see if you can guide your mount with your knees. At DM's discretion, he may increase or decrease DC if situation is warranted.

BTW, it is good to visualize things to determine plausibility, but don't always rely on the ruleset to cover EVERY and ALL situations, even those you believe are blatantly obvious. If you're the DM, you make the call as you see fit.

 

[Darklone]

I am surprised that soo many people seem to consider two handed weapons as difficult to use from horseback... they are not and they have been used from horseback.

It's more a problem how people think twohanded weapons are used....

 

[S'mon]

I am surprised that soo many people seem to consider two handed weapons as difficult to use from horseback... they are not and they have been used from horseback.

It's more a problem how people think twohanded weapons are used....

Yep - with a military saddle (more like a chair than a modern saddle) you have trouble falling off, anyway. Medieval knights commonly used two-handed weapons from horseback, the extra force is great for crunching plate armour.

 

[Darklone]

Yep - with a military saddle (more like a chair than a modern saddle) you have trouble falling off, anyway. Medieval knights commonly used two-handed weapons from horseback, the extra force is great for crunching plate armour.

And the reach is a huge advantage.