I would like to run a jousting tournament in game, but was surprised to find there are no rules for it.
Any suggestions how to run a jousting tournament using Pathfinder rules? In particular, how would you model intentionally breaking your lance to score point?
Here are some actual medieval rules for jousting:
- Only nobles (i.e. knights) may ride in a joust.
- The rider must own his own horse and equipment (as he may lose said horse if he is unsuccessful at his joust).
- At the signal (usually a trumpet charge), the opponents ride at each other, carrying only a lance and a shield, along the right-hand side of a dividing bar.
- You may use three lances in each jousting match. Once your three lances have shattered, the jousting match is over. However, the knights usually continue their battle on foot, using swords and/or daggers.
- You receive one point for breaking your lance on your opponent's chest.
- You receive two points for breaking your lance on your opponent's helmet.
- You receive three points for knocking your opponent off from his horse.
- An "unhorsing" ends the match.
- If you do not break your lance, it is considered a glancing blow, and does not count for points, unless you manage to unhorse your opponent in that charge.
- If a knight falls, only his own squire may physically help him. When he breaks a lance, only his own squire may hand him a new one. During the match, only the knight's squire may talk to the knight, and only when resetting the horse for the next charge.
- In the event of an unhorsing, the winner may choose to either take his opponent's horse and armour (to use himself, or sell, as he sees fit), hold his opponent for ransom, both of the above, or neither. It is the winner's choice what he shall do should that event occur.
What if both riders are unhorsed simultaneously?
In some traditional jousting rules I've seen, this means that they fight on foot (with swords, axes, etc). But by your rules of "unhorsing ends the match", who wins?
For the actual joust, there are some short rules in the Kingmaker AP Book #5:
Both contestants make ride checks to determine the order in which their attacks are handled, higher roll goes first (simultaneous on tie). Unseating is treated as a bull rush. If the first bull rush doesn't succeed, the other jouster gets his chance. Both lances automatically shatter on a hit.
There's also a slightly different version in 3.5 Complete Warrior:
No initiative neccessary; in every pass, both attacks (with blunted lances, non-lethal damage) are resolved simultaneously (ridy-by-attack feat gives +4 bonus on attack rolls). Due to great momentum, a hit allows a free trip or sunder (vs weapon or shield) attempt.
Regarding the ingame rules of the joust, there are probably as many variations as there are kingdoms.
What if both riders are unhorsed simultaneously?
In some traditional jousting rules I've seen, this means that they fight on foot (with swords, axes, etc). But by your rules of "unhorsing ends the match", who wins?
From what I read, it depends on the rules of the time and place. Sometimes they continued on foot and sometimes it was called a draw.
In all my gaming I have yet to see a joust in a game... I will need to change that. It would seem like a fun side thing while the players where in town... assuming they where allowed to participate.
A cavalier would have a friggin field day though.
In all my gaming I have yet to see a joust in a game... I will need to change that. It would seem like a fun side thing while the players where in town... assuming they where allowed to participate.
A cavalier would have a friggin field day though.
Especially if they took the feat: "Unseat"