I was trying to search threads for this topic but found very little. I was quite surprised that this wasn't a larger topic for discussion. Does anyone else find that mounted combat seems to be sparsely written about and a bit overpowered? I do allow feats while I DM my games so any character put into a situation where mounted combat is an option seems to just wreck all competition.
There are the options as a DM to put them up against large or larger creatures, sure. However, any mounted combatant with the mounted combat feat and a lance seems to be above and beyond more damaging than anything else on the battlefield. Especially since the mount can use the dash action to double movement. So.......mount dash, ride by with reach weapon, attack twice, and run away another 60 feet with nothing to fear.
Also, there is no "face" applied to the size of creatures this edition so a horse is 10 x 10. This could be a boon or bane I suppose depending on the situation. The Find Steed spell adds another dimension which I'm happy to banter about.
Anyway, discuss away!
FYI - I completely understand that "homebrew" or "house rule" is always an option. Just thought that if they made a feat about it they would have some more rules and/or options about it.
I agree with all of the above note. I also certainly started this thread to discuss RAW.
# 4 - The mounted combat feat does help with this because you can choose to have an attack target you instead of the mount. This excludes area effects obviously. The reduced damage on reflex saves is nice though.
#2 - That is true, but when it IS just big enough to utilize it (especially Find Steed), why wouldn't you? The horse dies, you just move on and summon it again later!
Also, now that you made me think about it. In a dungeon, the mount does not necessarily have to be a horse. Probably it is better a Giant Lizard....well, yes if you find a trained one.
I'm still not sure why you find steeds OP, could you explain your position more?
It says the mount *can* be anything at GM discretion, so IF you had T-Rex!
The "default" steeds have 5-19 HP with an average AC of 11. They do get sentience, but unless your on a Large steed 1/3 of the Mounted Combat feat is probably useless (unless you're fighting small creatures a lot!) Without the feat any CR 1 monster can take your mount out from under you in a single attack or two. Even if they do get Evasion, they have an average Dex bonus of -1 to +2. Without training in Dex, they aren't likely to make the save... even if you ARE a Paladin and giving them a +2 to +5 bonus.
As Filecat said, large creatures with a medium creature on top, don't always fit well in a Dungeon...
So.......mount dash, ride by with reach weapon, attack twice, and run away another 60 feet with nothing to fear.
This won't work the way you think. The mount and the rider have separate turns. Their initiative is tied, so you decide once who goes first and who goes second, and keep that order throughout combat.
If the mount goes first, the only way to break up its movement would be for it to move and ready more movement triggered by the rider's attack(s). But a controlled mount can't take the ready action, so that doesn't work. Even if it did work, it leaves the mount unable to Dash, Dodge or Disengage, and when the mount provokes, the rider can be attacked instead.
If the rider goes first, he can ready an attack to do a drive-by, but then he doesn't benefit from Extra Attack because the attack isn't happening on his turn. It's a nice trick, but most intelligent creatures can counter it by readying a shove or grapple to knock or pull the rider off his mount.
Couple that with the logistical problems of a mount in a dungeon (squeezing through doors and narrow hallways, taking up a large amount of space that counts as difficult terrain for your friends, can't climb or go through stairs...) and mounted combat has enough drawbacks to balance out its advantages.
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Hello all!
I was trying to search threads for this topic but found very little. I was quite surprised that this wasn't a larger topic for discussion. Does anyone else find that mounted combat seems to be sparsely written about and a bit overpowered? I do allow feats while I DM my games so any character put into a situation where mounted combat is an option seems to just wreck all competition.
There are the options as a DM to put them up against large or larger creatures, sure. However, any mounted combatant with the mounted combat feat and a lance seems to be above and beyond more damaging than anything else on the battlefield. Especially since the mount can use the dash action to double movement. So.......mount dash, ride by with reach weapon, attack twice, and run away another 60 feet with nothing to fear.
Also, there is no "face" applied to the size of creatures this edition so a horse is 10 x 10. This could be a boon or bane I suppose depending on the situation. The Find Steed spell adds another dimension which I'm happy to banter about.
Anyway, discuss away!
FYI - I completely understand that "homebrew" or "house rule" is always an option. Just thought that if they made a feat about it they would have some more rules and/or options about it.
Sergenthude, The Daedric Pilgrim
Sure, I agree that having a mount has huge advantages. Although I would consider this:
1) You have to feed the horses; (Well, this is not true for Find steed)
2) Horses in dungeons are not really a good options;
3) There are quite a few monsters that can take control of your mount.
4) At higher levels, the mount can be killed with a single blow;
5) It is still up to the DM to decide when it is appropriate to call a Animal Handling check for "risky manoeuvres".
I agree with all of the above note. I also certainly started this thread to discuss RAW.
# 4 - The mounted combat feat does help with this because you can choose to have an attack target you instead of the mount. This excludes area effects obviously. The reduced damage on reflex saves is nice though.
#2 - That is true, but when it IS just big enough to utilize it (especially Find Steed), why wouldn't you? The horse dies, you just move on and summon it again later!
Thanks for the feedback!
Sergenthude, The Daedric Pilgrim
Oh you are right about Find Steed.
Also, now that you made me think about it. In a dungeon, the mount does not necessarily have to be a horse. Probably it is better a Giant Lizard....well, yes if you find a trained one.
I actually started a thread in the Paladin section about how I found the Find Steed underpowered.
http://www.dndbeyond.com/forums/class-forums/paladin/2936-find-steed-mount-survive-ability
I'm still not sure why you find steeds OP, could you explain your position more?
It says the mount *can* be anything at GM discretion, so IF you had T-Rex!
The "default" steeds have 5-19 HP with an average AC of 11. They do get sentience, but unless your on a Large steed 1/3 of the Mounted Combat feat is probably useless (unless you're fighting small creatures a lot!) Without the feat any CR 1 monster can take your mount out from under you in a single attack or two. Even if they do get Evasion, they have an average Dex bonus of -1 to +2. Without training in Dex, they aren't likely to make the save... even if you ARE a Paladin and giving them a +2 to +5 bonus.
As Filecat said, large creatures with a medium creature on top, don't always fit well in a Dungeon...
This won't work the way you think. The mount and the rider have separate turns. Their initiative is tied, so you decide once who goes first and who goes second, and keep that order throughout combat.
If the mount goes first, the only way to break up its movement would be for it to move and ready more movement triggered by the rider's attack(s). But a controlled mount can't take the ready action, so that doesn't work. Even if it did work, it leaves the mount unable to Dash, Dodge or Disengage, and when the mount provokes, the rider can be attacked instead.
If the rider goes first, he can ready an attack to do a drive-by, but then he doesn't benefit from Extra Attack because the attack isn't happening on his turn. It's a nice trick, but most intelligent creatures can counter it by readying a shove or grapple to knock or pull the rider off his mount.
Couple that with the logistical problems of a mount in a dungeon (squeezing through doors and narrow hallways, taking up a large amount of space that counts as difficult terrain for your friends, can't climb or go through stairs...) and mounted combat has enough drawbacks to balance out its advantages.