Mounted combat rules confusion for PFS

[Muninn]

I'm contemplating making a new halfling cavalier character to play in PFS. I'm trying to read through the rules and figure out how mounted combat and mounted combat feats work, but from the rules forum posts there seems to be enough ambiguity to cause a lot of confusion and argument over how they work. My question for this board is how can I handle these issues at the PFS table - I'd like to be able to present a clear and consistent case to each DM I play with so that the way I play my character doesn't have to vary from session to session, but I don't want to be "that guy" who spends 10 minutes rules lawyering in the middle of combat. Maybe there is a concise summary of how charging on a mount works somewhere that I could print and discuss with the DM before play? There doesn't seem to be a lot about this on the official FAQ (other than something about pounce, which certainly won't be an issue for a 1st level character).

Thanks for your help - I don't want the discussion here to be about the rules themselves (there are enough posts on this on the rules forum) but a meta-rules discussion about how to have things handled consistently when I'm playing!

[Sniggevert]

Muninn wrote:

Thanks for your help - I don't want the discussion here to be about the rules themselves (there are enough posts on this on the rules forum) but a meta-rules discussion about how to have things handled consistently when I'm playing!

My personal take is when you go into a system with hundreds of different table GM's, when the rules can be considered even slightly ambiguous expect table variations. You're never going to have things nailed down 100%, so my suggestion is play the character how you want him to be. If there's a difference in opinion with the table GM then state your case, let the GM rule, and if necessary adapt for that session.

[godsDMit]

Not to be facetious, but what confusion and arguements do people get in regarding mounted combat and/or related feats other than regarding pounce and/or flying mounts?

Also, what Sniggevert said.

[Chris Mortika]

Muninn, as a table GM, I've tried to plow through the mounted combat rules during a game session, and it wasn't pretty. I'm guessing that many other GMs are the same way; when you sit down with your halfling cavalier, you'll probably be the expert at the table regarding those rules.

So, I'd recommend getting to the table early and asking the GM how he wants to handle things. Give him the information he needs to make an informed decision:

"This source here says we use this mechanic, while that feat over there implies that we ought to use that mechanic. The boards have gone back and forth on this, and none of the developers have chimed in yet. How would you like to handle it?"

"I have this feat and 5 ranks in Ride, so according to this paragraph in the Combat section, my mount should be able to do this stunt. For example, it's really useful against enemies who are readying an action. Do you have any problems with that, that I can address before we engage in combat?"

"My Handle Animals skill is at a +12. Normally, the DC for getting my riding dog to charge a monster is this, but the text says that the GM can raise that under unusual circumstances. What's your feel about that?"

So, by asking questions, you're informing the GM how the rules work, and letting him tell you how he's going to run the gray areas.

(And it's for reasons like this that I urge regular GMs to build and play PCs using different subsystems.)

[Muninn]

godsDMit wrote:

Not to be facetious, but what confusion and arguements do people get in regarding mounted combat and/or related feats other than regarding pounce and/or flying mounts?

Well, here are a couple I was just reading:

here and here

It seems to center around two things - the economy of actions with a character and mount being treated in some ways as a single actor (i.e. acting on the same initiative) and how ride-by-attack works (which will be an issue once I hit 3rd level) in regards to a mount making attacks and charging past an enemy.

[james maissen]

Muninn wrote:

My question for this board is how can I handle these issues at the PFS table

In general,

First, figure out how the rules work.

Second, see where in the rules you have this support.

Third, understand the variations that some people read into things. If you have solid arguments against this (to support 1) then include that in 2.

Fourth, print out all the relevant sections that you've gotten in 2. Label where each comes from for ease of checking.

If questioned you are aware that some people see the rule as in 3. You see the rule as in 1. Your support for 1 instead of 3 is listed out by 2. And then you hand 4 to the GM should they want to see it.

If you are fair and present things that are ambiguous AS ambiguous then this won't devolve badly based upon your actions. That is not to say whether or not others will or won't be as civilized.

Some rules issues provoke certain 'knee jerk' responses. That's why these boards are such a good thing. It lets people hash things out and realize that say the Mystic Theurge PrC is not over the top brokenly powerful (or that Monks are not over powered, etc).

-James
PS: before you laugh at the last two examples.. they have come up in one way or the other at a table or even in forums.

[BigNorseWolf]

I think the most non confrontational way would be to ask the DM how charging on a mount works. If they can't explain it to you they'll probably rely on you knowing your character's , and if they do explain it to you then you know how they're doing it.