Mounted Combat?

[tim01300]

Kinda a noob question but as a new DM I don't have a great grasp on mounted combat, specifically advantages it grants. I get that your mount moves and this frees you up to take actions, such as attacking or casting a spell. But are there any bonuses to hit or damage if you are flying by a opponent or towering over them on a warhorse? I read the -4 or something when riding and shooting a ranged weapon, makes sense.

My players are going to encounter 3 goblinriders and their worg mounts (my players don't have mounts yet) and this will be the first time we have handled mounted combat and I don't want to make it seem unimportant or miss anything.

I guess I'm just seeing mounts as a quick escape for baddies at this point....

[ericgrau]

It's all right here:
http://www.d20srd.org/srd/combat/specialAttacks.htm#mountedCombat
here:
http://www.d20srd.org/srd/skills/ride.htm
and here:
http://www.d20srd.org/srd/monsters/worg.htm

Because the worgs are medium not large the riders only get a +1 attack bonus against small opponents, for higher ground. The ability to make a ride check for a +4 cover bonus to AC is very handy. And if they have the mounted combat feat so is the ability to use the ride check in place of the mount's AC 1/round, if the check is higher. The ability to attack at the same time as the mount is pretty important. The fact that there are no natural 1's on skill checks is important for the DC 5 checks, such as fighting with both hands and not falling off after taking damage. Give them all at least a +4 modifier (if not max ranks) so you don't even have to worry about rolling such things.

Using a ranged weapon is nice because you can move and full attack; goes well with rapid shot. The mobility and extra AC isn't bad for casters either, if they can make their concentration checks (consider skill focus). If you are looking for hit and run tactics then 3 archers/throwers or 2 archers/throwers and a caster may be a good idea; no melee so they can coordinate. But if you aren't looking for anything in particular then the extra attack from the worg on top of the goblin's attack is also great for melee.

If the PCs have any trippers then they should know that the mechanics for dismounting are the same as the mechanics for tripping. Even the improved trip feat applies.

[tim01300]

thank youuuu