Reviewing Movement section in PHB has me confused as there appears to be little difference traveling overland by horse or on foot. So, I could use some guidance.
Assume unencumbered travel, on foot or horseback, traveling along the High Road between Neverwinter and the junction of Triboar Trail - a distance I make out to be roughly 50 miles. Assume no encounters and traveling at normal pace for 8 hours.
How far does a character travel on foot? On horseback?
In rules as written? That being the case, does that sound logical or reasonable? Or is it simply expedient?
It is simply a game...I get it. But, still.....I suppose you gain the benefit of less fatigue if mounted, but no faster than simply walking? Puzzling....
So, a little research on the Google machine yields 20-30 miles per day for an average horse. Thus, 24 miles is defensible. Trained and bred horses in athletic shape would go 40 miles per day without too much effort at normal gaits for them once they got into to “road” shape.
So, I would allow 24 miles per day under Rules as Written for the average horse, with occasional lengths to 30 miles as a house rule if the characters petitioned or were “in a hurry” and tended to the horses at the end of the day. If they had the right horse, I would allow 40 miles per day in the right circumstance.
Specially bred and tended war horses could get to 40-50 miles per day.
My view....and how I will run my game. 24 miles per day in typical circumstances, as written in the standard rules. Exceptions based on circumstance extending that to 30, 40, and even 50 miles per day if condition and circumstance warrant it.
Most forms of travel with horses over long distances is a similar if not slower speed than a human's fast walk. (depending on laden/cart etc.) The main purpose of having a horse or beast of burden is to make the journey easier for you, as such most travel horses will be bred for 'plodding along' as opposed to fast travel.
That being said, people will breed horses for stamina and speed over long distances for relatively unladen loads (e.g. a courier with important letters, a forward scout, etc.). These horses will be noticeably more expensive (due to more selective breeding and limited availability), as well as having a lower max load to maintain speed. So although they may to 1,000 lbs and travel at normal pace, it's probably reasonable to assume a lower max for fast pace without penalty. (or faster pace like 40mi/day)
(Also if you need to carry a lot of loot back from somewhere, you won't necessarily by able to ride the burdened horses)
Reviewing Movement section in PHB has me confused as there appears to be little difference traveling overland by horse or on foot. So, I could use some guidance.
Assume unencumbered travel, on foot or horseback, traveling along the High Road between Neverwinter and the junction of Triboar Trail - a distance I make out to be roughly 50 miles. Assume no encounters and traveling at normal pace for 8 hours.
How far does a character travel on foot? On horseback?
Thanks in advance for any assistance!
Gray Mouser
Having a horse does not impact your traveling pace over long distances.
In rules as written? That being the case, does that sound logical or reasonable? Or is it simply expedient?
It is simply a game...I get it. But, still.....I suppose you gain the benefit of less fatigue if mounted, but no faster than simply walking? Puzzling....
Gray Mouser
https://www.dndbeyond.com/compendium/rules/phb/adventuring#Speed
Yes, thank you. I read that section. Hence, my question as it puzzled me there could be no difference between walking or riding.
Gray Mouser
I think it's fair. Humans are actually among the best creatures in the world at maintaining a pace over long distances.
EDIT: And there is a difference in that mounts can manage a faster pace over a short distance; it's just over long distances that it has less impact.
So, a little research on the Google machine yields 20-30 miles per day for an average horse. Thus, 24 miles is defensible. Trained and bred horses in athletic shape would go 40 miles per day without too much effort at normal gaits for them once they got into to “road” shape.
So, I would allow 24 miles per day under Rules as Written for the average horse, with occasional lengths to 30 miles as a house rule if the characters petitioned or were “in a hurry” and tended to the horses at the end of the day. If they had the right horse, I would allow 40 miles per day in the right circumstance.
Specially bred and tended war horses could get to 40-50 miles per day.
My view....and how I will run my game. 24 miles per day in typical circumstances, as written in the standard rules. Exceptions based on circumstance extending that to 30, 40, and even 50 miles per day if condition and circumstance warrant it.
Gray Mouser
With the risk of veering into Monty Python territory, have you considered whether the horse is laden or unladen?
That’s the biggest advantage to horses. They allow you to carry a lot more when you travel.
Professional computer geek
Most forms of travel with horses over long distances is a similar if not slower speed than a human's fast walk. (depending on laden/cart etc.) The main purpose of having a horse or beast of burden is to make the journey easier for you, as such most travel horses will be bred for 'plodding along' as opposed to fast travel.
That being said, people will breed horses for stamina and speed over long distances for relatively unladen loads (e.g. a courier with important letters, a forward scout, etc.). These horses will be noticeably more expensive (due to more selective breeding and limited availability), as well as having a lower max load to maintain speed. So although they may to 1,000 lbs and travel at normal pace, it's probably reasonable to assume a lower max for fast pace without penalty. (or faster pace like 40mi/day)
(Also if you need to carry a lot of loot back from somewhere, you won't necessarily by able to ride the burdened horses)
Yes....after all, I did say unencumbered.....except for the riders with the coconut shells....
Gray Mouser
Yep....it varies....my point exactly..!
I have determined my approach (above).
Gray Mouser