Mounted combatants, AoOs and Ride skill [Archive] - Wizards Community

Mounted combatants, AoOs and Ride skill [Archive] - Wizards Community

Post/Author/DateTime Post
Griego
03-15-08, 02:03 PM Per the Ride skill (PHB p80), a DC 15 Ride check allows a mounted combatant to "react instantly" to use the mount as cover. So, if the mounted combatant provokes an AoO by leaving a threatened square, and makes his or her Ride check, thereby providing cover, what happens? "You can't execute an attack of opportunity against an opponent with cover relative to you." (PHB p151) Does the AoO just disappear? Would you allow the attack but at a penalty? Or does the attacker get to target the mount instead? Assuming the attacker targeted the rider and not the mount in the first place.
Kouk
03-16-08, 02:42 AM FAQ says this:
When using a Ride skill check to claim cover from your mount, exactly when do you start claiming cover from your mount? When must you stop claiming cover from your mount? The skill description says you react instantly to claim cover, and it doesn’t take an action. Does that mean you can do so anytime, even when it’s not your turn? The skill description says you can’t attack or cast spells while claiming cover. Why is that significant if you can claim cover anytime without using an action?
You can make a Ride check to claim cover from your mount anytime, even when it’s not your turn. Make the check before your opponent makes his attack roll. If your check succeeds, you have cover against your opponent’s attacks. If several different opponents attack you during the same place in the initiative order, one Ride check determines if you have cover against all those attacks. If you’re attacked again, you must make another Ride check to claim cover again. You cannot claim cover while you’re casting a spell or making any kind of attack. So, for example, if you cast a spell while mounted, you can’t use your mount as cover against any attack of opportunity you might provoke. You also cannot claim cover from your mount while making a charge attack (not even during the movement portion of your charge).

I would consider it not unreasonable to rule that it is something you have to declare in advance though (meaning not a "not an action" you can make an unlimited number of times). As an alternate ruling it would not seem unreasonable to require it be an Immediate Action, meaning one a round. Riding a mount is pretty weak though in general, so "nerfing" is probably not really warranted.

Generally, take out the mount first and you don't have any real problems. :P

If the rider says he has cover, then you couldn't have made an AoO against him in the first place (?) so I guess the attacker still has his AoO to use on the horse if he wants. OR, which probably is a lot easier, just give the Cover bonus to AC (+4) and continue with the AoO.
mvincent
03-17-08, 03:06 PM Does the AoO just disappear?correct: the AoO is not used. Assuming an experienced PC, I don't require the player to constantly declare using the mount as cover (and so typically instead prompt them before rolling an AoO... it just saves time).

However, the PC cannot wait for the AoO to be rolled before declaring cover. By then it's too late.

Or does the attacker get to target the mount instead? It's as if the AoO wasn't used, so if the mount also provoked, then the attacker could immediately instead target it.

Post/Author/DateTime	Post
Griego 03-15-08, 02:03 PM	Per the Ride skill (PHB p80), a DC 15 Ride check allows a mounted combatant to "react instantly" to use the mount as cover. So, if the mounted combatant provokes an AoO by leaving a threatened square, and makes his or her Ride check, thereby providing cover, what happens? "You can't execute an attack of opportunity against an opponent with cover relative to you." (PHB p151) Does the AoO just disappear? Would you allow the attack but at a penalty? Or does the attacker get to target the mount instead? Assuming the attacker targeted the rider and not the mount in the first place.
Kouk 03-16-08, 02:42 AM	FAQ says this: When using a Ride skill check to claim cover from your mount, exactly when do you start claiming cover from your mount? When must you stop claiming cover from your mount? The skill description says you react instantly to claim cover, and it doesn’t take an action. Does that mean you can do so anytime, even when it’s not your turn? The skill description says you can’t attack or cast spells while claiming cover. Why is that significant if you can claim cover anytime without using an action? You can make a Ride check to claim cover from your mount anytime, even when it’s not your turn. Make the check before your opponent makes his attack roll. If your check succeeds, you have cover against your opponent’s attacks. If several different opponents attack you during the same place in the initiative order, one Ride check determines if you have cover against all those attacks. If you’re attacked again, you must make another Ride check to claim cover again. You cannot claim cover while you’re casting a spell or making any kind of attack. So, for example, if you cast a spell while mounted, you can’t use your mount as cover against any attack of opportunity you might provoke. You also cannot claim cover from your mount while making a charge attack (not even during the movement portion of your charge). I would consider it not unreasonable to rule that it is something you have to declare in advance though (meaning not a "not an action" you can make an unlimited number of times). As an alternate ruling it would not seem unreasonable to require it be an Immediate Action, meaning one a round. Riding a mount is pretty weak though in general, so "nerfing" is probably not really warranted. Generally, take out the mount first and you don't have any real problems. :P If the rider says he has cover, then you couldn't have made an AoO against him in the first place (?) so I guess the attacker still has his AoO to use on the horse if he wants. OR, which probably is a lot easier, just give the Cover bonus to AC (+4) and continue with the AoO.
mvincent 03-17-08, 03:06 PM	Does the AoO just disappear?correct: the AoO is not used. Assuming an experienced PC, I don't require the player to constantly declare using the mount as cover (and so typically instead prompt them before rolling an AoO... it just saves time). However, the PC cannot wait for the AoO to be rolled before declaring cover. By then it's too late. Or does the attacker get to target the mount instead? It's as if the AoO wasn't used, so if the mount also provoked, then the attacker could immediately instead target it.