Mounted rules

[Vistra]

I've got a question about this entry from the PrC Silverwood Outrider

Fast Handling (Ex): At 1st level, a Silverwood outrider can handle his wild cohort as a free action rather than a move action. The Silverwood outrider can push it as a move action. This benefit applies only toward the Silverwood outrider's animal cohort; the normal action times are required to handle and push other animals. See the description of the Handle Animal skill in the Player's Handbook for more information on handling and pushing animals.

If I don't have fast handling can I still make a full round ranged attack from a moving mount? What do I need use a move action for while mounted? I'm having a really hard time figuring this out.

On this page http://www.wizards.com/default.asp?x=dnd/rg/20050215a, it doesn't mention anything about move actions, but says I can make a full round ranged attack while my mount is moving.

[Slipperychicken]

Any character can perform a ranged full-attack while mounted, provided he can make the DC 5 Ride check to "guide with knees". You don't even need a feat, or any special class features at all; the DC 5 Ride check is enough.

This makes having a mount hugely advantageous to any archer; it's a massive increase in mobility for almost no cost.


From the SRD (http://www.d20srd.org/srd/combat/specialAttacks.htm#mountedCombat)

You can use ranged weapons while your mount is taking a double move, but at a -4 penalty on the attack roll. You can use ranged weapons while your mount is running (quadruple speed), at a -8 penalty. In either case, you make the attack roll when your mount has completed half its movement. You can make a full attack with a ranged weapon while your mount is moving. Likewise, you can take move actions normally

Ranged Full Attack + Mount takes a single move = No penalty.

Ranged Full Attack + Mount takes a double move = -4 Penalty.

Ranged Full Attack + Mount takes a Run action = -8 Penalty.

The mounted archery feat halves these penalties.

[Forrestfire]

It's referring to Handle Animal. (http://www.d20srd.org/srd/skills/handleAnimal.htm) The PrC lets you command to do a trick as a free action.