Clarification on Animal Companions as mounts?

Post/Author/DateTimePost
#1

Snapdragyn

Sep 02, 2014 13:32:47

Seeking clarification on the interaction of the Mounted Combat rules with a Ranger (Beastmaster) Animal Companion rules.

 

Specifically, the Mounted Combat rules state that:

 

- "A willing creature that is at least one size larger than you and that has an appropriate anatomy can serve as a mount...." (Basic Rules, p76)

 

Thus, gnome or halfling Beastmasters could ride a Medium-sized Animal Companion as a mount.

 

However:

 

- under 'Controlling a Mount', "The initiative of a controlled mount changes to match yours when you mount it. It moves as you direct it, and it has only three action options: Dash, Disengage, and Dodge".

 

Meanwhile, the PHB for ranger's Animal Companion (AFB, so paraphrasing this part) states that the ranger can direct its Animal Companion's movements with verbal commands without using an action.

 

So does the interaction of these last two rules mean that:

A) a gnome or halfling Beastmaster riding their Animal Companion cannot use their action to have the ACo make an attack (per mounted combat rules) unless they let it move about the battlefield as it wills (uncontrolled mount)?

or,

 

B) Do the ACo rules represent a case of 'Specific Trumps General', and thus supercede the normal mounted combat rules such that the small beastmaster CAN verbally direct its ACo mount where to move & still (at the normal action cost) have it attack?

#2

CarlT

Sep 03, 2014 12:19:16

The rules you describe for controlling a mount are for when you 'control the mount'.

 

I woud likely rule that a Ranger has the option to 'allow it to act independantly' for the purposes of these rules (i.e. it acts independantly, according to the ranger's wishes as expressed through verbal commands; if, for example, the ranger were silenced it would be truely on its own - or the ranger would have to switch to direct control).

 

 

On the other hand, I might also give the mount disadvantage on its attacks as it is likely not used to attacking with a rider on its back (depending to a large degree on what the animal is).

 

Carl

#3

SpedGuy

Sep 03, 2014 19:47:00

CarlT wrote: