Fix for Charge Attack rules and Mounted Charge


Homebrew and House Rules


So I've been trying to build a Cavalier, and I'm really frustrated with how much of a mess Charge is, especially for mounted characters.

I attempted to clean it up, and make sure it's more viable for ride-by attack, but not cheesy. I think the biggest mistake with Charge was trying to make it its own move, rather than an action as part of a move. This is my first attempt at something like this, but let me know what you think:

Charge Attack:

During a double-move action by yourself or your mount, you may attempt a Charge Attack. A Charge Attack is a single melee attack or combat maneuver with additional benefits from your movement. This attack is a free action you can take once as part of your double-move, or a standard action for a rider when mounted. The following conditions must be met to make a Charge Attack:

  • You announce that you are making a Charge Attack before your double-move action
  • You do not exceed twice your move speed (or your mount's speed, when mounted)
  • You travel in a straight line for the entirety of the action
  • You travel at least 10 feet before making your attack
  • You attack your target at the earliest point in your movement from which you threaten the target
  • The line of your charge at the time of your attack passes through a square adjacent to the target, whether or not you choose to or are capable of moving to that square
  • Your movement ends when you or your mount attack your target, unless your attack is an Overrun maneuver. You or your mount may still make a Charge Attack as part of this action if you end your movement in a square where you threaten the target
  • The target of your Charge Attack and the target of your mount's Charge Attack do not have to be the same creature, as long as this does not violate any other conditions

Additional Benefits:

  • +2 to attack rolls on your charge attack
  • Double damage on your charge attack with a lance

Drawbacks:

  • -2 AC from the moment you make your charge attack until the beginning of your next turn (this penalty only applies to your mount if your mount makes its own charge attack)


It probably needs to be fleshed out a little more, but this is little enough detail that feats that modify these rules clearly modify it, but you can't, for example, use a hypothetical wheeling charge to meet the pre-requisite that your charge brings you adjacent to your target. I made this adjacent, even for reach weapons, because attacking sideways as part of a charge would kind of negate the extra force of your charge. You could still take a double-move with your mount and make a standard attack per existing mounted combat rules, but it wouldn't be a charge.

Anyways, any thoughts? Be nice please :)


Stuff I missed in my original description:
If any line from your starting space to the ending space passes through a square that blocks movement, slows movement, or contains a creature (even an ally), you can't charge. Helpless creatures don't stop a charge.

If you don't have line of sight to the opponent at the start of your turn, you can't charge that opponent.

If you move a distance equal to your speed or less, you can also draw a weapon during a charge attack if your base attack bonus is at least +1.

If you are able to take only a standard action on your turn, you can still charge, but you are only allowed to move up to your speed (instead of up to double your speed) and you cannot draw a weapon unless you possess the Quick Draw feat. You can't use this option unless you are restricted to taking only a standard action on your turn.

Spears, tridents, and other weapons with the brace feature deal double damage when readied (set) and used against a charging character.

Additional thoughts:


  • Overrun attempts while mounted are performed by your mount, though certain rider feats like Trample and Mounted Onslaught provide benefits to your mount's overrun attempt.

Community / Forums / Pathfinder / Pathfinder First Edition / Homebrew and House Rules / Fix for Charge Attack rules and Mounted Charge All Messageboards

Want to post a reply? Sign in.
Recent threads in Homebrew and House Rules