I was reading some older threads on this forum and there seems to be some uncertainty about how mounted combat is supposed to work. I'm trying to make a mounted character for PFS (a gnome cavalier riding a boar) and want to see if I can get some clarifications.
If I charge, do the cavalier and the mount both get to make an attack, or just the cavalier? I had assumed they both did, but then I read some dissenting views on it.
(If they normally both get to attack, then) what if I'm using a lance, but the mount doesn't have reach?
Who should take feats such as Improved Overrun, the character or the mount?
The rules say I (as a small character) can't take a boar as a mount until level 4. But, the intent behind that rule is obviously that the mount needs to be big enough for me to ride. Would I be able to start with the boar if I take the Undersize Mount feat, or do I still have to start with a pony or wolf even though I'm capable of riding a small mount?
You both get to make an attack. Only 1 though, unless you have some special abilities that say otherwise.
As for the reach weapon, you have to make a decision on what square to end in. If you have reach and your mount does not, then only one of you gets an attack (still worth it because of charging lance damage).
The mount should take the overrun and similar feats.
This answer I'm only 95% sure on, but you should be able to ride the boar.
If you really want to ride the boar, I don't see any problem in and of itself. Aside from, you know, using up a feat. (And watch how much weight you put on that boar, too. If a feat calls out a possible downside to *using* it, beware.) You might want to check with your GM about what rides you do have available. This may be affected by your class, of course.
Or you can get a Large mount, literally look down on people, and get a bonus to whack them. (Do Small creatures have problems riding Large mounts?)
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The rules for mounted combat are a bit of a mess, and more so depending on which options you go with. We'll try to help you out with it to the best of our ability, but there are some things that are genuinely ambiguous and/or nonsensical.
If I charge, do the cavalier and the mount both get to make an attack, or just the cavalier?
Your mount need not attack if you do not wish it to do so. There are some times when you would not want your mount attacking. The rules for a charge while mounted state that your mount "may" make an attack, not that it "must".
what if I'm using a lance, but the mount doesn't have reach?
If you're using a reach weapon, but the mount does not have reach, then the mount may not make an attack.
If you possess the Ride-By Attack feat, then you may attack at reach and continue your movement, but as soon as your mount makes its attack its movement ends.
Who should take feats such as Improved Overrun, the character or the mount?
This is one of those options I would avoid.
Would I be able to start with the boar if I take the Undersize Mount feat, or do I still have to start with a pony or wolf even though I'm capable of riding a small mount?
You can only start with the list you're given. The feat only changes what you can ride. It does not open up new options.
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I have 2 pieces of advice for someone looking to play a gnome cavalier in PFS. The first is to look at the feats Wheeling Charge and Indomitable Mount from the Cities of Golarion campaign setting. Second is ask the local GMs how they think mounted combat works, and expect table variation.
The mounted combat rules have a lot of unclear language and rulings. Like the fact that when charging, both the mount and rider are charging. The language in the charge action says you must move to the closest square you can attack from, and after moving you can make an attack. But if you have 10' reach and the animal has 5' reach, considering you use the animals action for movement, or basically use the animals movement, that would mean you would need to move to a square adjacent to the target, which means that you can't make an attack with a lance. Which is just stupid, and most GMs don't rule it that way. You usually get things like, you can stop 5 feet short, where you need to be to make an attack, stopping there, or riding past if you have ride-by-attack. Or occasionally you can make your attack while moving, but the mount has to keep moving to be adjacent to the target, possibly allowing it to get it's attack (this one seems more rare). Both of these seem to come from how GMs think it should work, and not what the rulebook actually says.
Sorry if this hasn't cleared things up, but there is a clear problem with the mounted combat rules as is. Until we get a blog or possibly an errata clarifying it, expect table variation.
As for undersized mount, it won't do what you're hoping it will. It doesn't actually change any of the mount options or when you can take them. It would allow you to take the alternate advancement at level 4 so that instead of having a medium boar, you could ride a small boar, but it won't give you early access, but this is a terrible choice and waste of a feat.
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Mounted Combat was written in the 3.0 D&D PHB under the assumption that the mount basically wouldn't have access to feats, and the rider wouldn't have access to pounce.
During Pathfinder years, with the increasing access to customization of animal companions and the toxic interpretation of RAW in some parts of the Pathfinder society, questions have been raised. Paizo, being committed to the myth of backwards compatibility, has issued a number of spot fixes in the form of interpretation guidelines. And that's how we're in this mess today.
There, that's mounted combat explained.
Owner - D20 Hobbies
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Who should take feats such as Improved Overrun, the character or the mount?This is one of those options I would avoid.
I strongly suggest avoiding Overrun all together. It has massive table variance without adding the complication of who needs it (rider or PC).
Risner
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Who should take feats such as Improved Overrun, the character or the mount?This is one of those options I would avoid.I strongly suggest avoiding Overrun all together. It has massive table variance without adding the complication of who needs it (rider or PC).
Risner
I've made at least two topics specifically asking how overrun works and I still have no idea what it does.
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Owner - D20 Hobbies
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I've made at least two topics specifically asking how overrun works and I still have no idea what it does.
I played a character with Greater Overrun, Charge Through, and Elephant Stomp to level 10 before I gave up. I can tell you that just about every table ruled the various feats working differently. Of the 27 games maybe there were 20 different combinations of "that works this way, this works that way".