Medium character on a Huge mount - Are there any penalties for the rider?

[Cav5150]

Are there any penalties for combat/ride checks for a medium sized character riding a huge mount?

ie. do you need a reach weapon to attack an adjacent opponent?

thanks!

[Galnörag]

I don't think there is a written rule on this. I would require the player to have purchased an appropriately priced saddle for a large creature, and for full attack actions force him to pick one or two squares on the mount from which to attack.

[Anselth]

I don't know that I've seen a written rule on this, either. It's something that might have to be houseruled using common sense for the creature being used as a mount. I might require a reach weapon, as it's unlikely the character could hit someone on the ground without one, unless the creature's anatomy was such that he could easily reach the front or sides. Flip side, enemies would need one to hit the character, as well.

[Archaeik]

I haven't read any rules regarding this
I see the classes that gain mounts restrict what you can get for free, but I haven't seen anything that restricts riders smaller than 1 category from using an "inappropriately" sized mount.

Re: saddle
It should probably need to be custom made to seat a medium creature, since most huge saddles are made to fit large creatures.
(I'd treat this as refitting armor, with a cost reflecting the price of the base item)

Re: reach
This creates an interesting problem.
If you are riding a long creature, I believe its space is a 3x3, you are most likely seated in the middle, so a reach weapon is appropriate. If the seating arrangement is something different, then you may have some flexibility(such as riding on its head).
If you are riding a tall creature, it's space is 2x2, but it is likely 15ft+ tall, so in most circumstances, it would have to enter an opponents space for you to even have reach.(so just be an archer)

[Deidre Tiriel]

Does a halfling riding a normal horse get penalties? No? Than a medium creature on a huge creature shouldn't either. Same size difference between a small and large and a medium and huge.

[tonyz]

Historically, you had cases like a mahout riding on the neck of the elephant just behind its head, or of a whole bunch of people riding in a howdah on its back. I might go for the latter solution (since it gives the rider some automatic cover, or at least concealment, depending on the material used). Anyone else seen the circus thing with children riding elephants? I'd say Medium creatures -- and probably Small ones -- could ride, given the proper saddles or willingness to ride bareback. They probably have less ability to control the creature.

Reach weapons: probably a case-by-case determinant given the anatomy of the creature involved. An elephant, yes, you need reach weapons to hit someone on the back of the elephant. A Huge serpent closer to the ground, probably not.

[HappyDaze]

Now I'm picturing halfling cavaliers riding on the back of their large wolves in howdahs.