Stealth while riding a mount?

[thelemonache]

Is there a size ratio (ex. like small rider with a huge mount) that allows a rider to gain cover or concealment from people attacking within melee range without the DC 15 ride check? Enough cover or concealment to make a stealth check?

[Dennis da Ogre]

thelemonache wrote:

Is there a size ratio (ex. like small rider with a huge mount) that allows a rider to gain cover or concealment from people attacking within melee range without the DC 15 ride check? Enough cover or concealment to make a stealth check?

No, this is more or less up to the GM to figure out.

Common sense goes a long ways here. If there is more than one size category between the two creatures the rider shouldn't have any trouble getting cover if he can reasonably get to the side of the mount. A halfling riding an elephant bareback is likely NOT going to have any cover because there is no way to ride the elephant without being exposed.

On the flip side, a halfling riding on a dragon has 100% cover versus enemies on the ground (and vice versa).

[Maezer]

thelemonache wrote:

Is there a size ratio (ex. like small rider with a huge mount) that allows a rider to gain cover or concealment from people attacking within melee range without the DC 15 ride check? Enough cover or concealment to make a stealth check?

I am not sure where this would fall as far as RAW. In my opinion the general size ratio needed, would be about 3 size categories(Medium:Gargantuan.) This would be the point at which a mount ceases to become a mount and is a vehicle.

The 'riders' must declare what space in/on/around the vehicle the are taking up. The mount and rider would no longer share a space. You would have to rule individually on what mounted rules still applied and which didn't. But functionally the rider would be a driver then and not benefit from moust of the mounted rules.

The size ratio would be subjective though. As you figure Swallow Hole requires only 1 size category, and if you were swallowed that should provide you both cover from melee attacks without a ride check and enough cover to make a stealth check though if they saw you go in, they probably have a good idea where you are.

[tejón]

Ad-hoc recommendation: give a +4 bonus to that Ride check for every size category your mount has over your own, after the first (required to ride it at all).