Ride-By Attack and Flying Mount

[Mrakvampire]

Hello All!

I've got a question.
Assume we have a NPC on Wyvern. NPC has Ride-By Attack feat.

Wyvern is flying 30 ft above ground. And our PC is on ground.
It's NPC turn. How can he attack our PC with Ride-By Attack?

As per Ride-By Attack after he charges our PC he can continue his movement in straight line, but obviously, considering that he was above target this straight line will go into the ground.

So, my question is:
1. Do I understand correctly that creatures that use flying mounts basically can't use Ride-By Attack vs ground target?
2. If "1" is correct - do you know any option that will allow creature on flying mount to attack ground target and then move away from it?

Thank you in advance!

[Avoron]

1. Your understanding about the logistics of the movement is correct. However, flying Ride-by-Attack works just fine if you stay 15 feet above the ground and strafe your opponent with a reach weapon (preferably a lance), moving in a straight line over their heads.

2. Wheeling Charge allows you to turn up to 90 degrees on a charge, which should make your aeronautical charges a whole lot easier.

There are also some non-charge options. The mount could take Flyby Attack, which lets you move in and out with a lot more freedom, although you'd need some other method of escaping attacks of opportunity, such as the Escape Route feat. Or you could just use a reach weapon against enemies without reach to avoid entering their threatened area.

If nothing else works, both you and your mount could take Spring Attack, which would hopefully make things a bit simpler.

[Ridiculon]

I don't think flyby-attack would allow the rider to attack during a move action, only the mount

[Wolfsnap]

I would be fine with a flying mount rider making swooping, ride-by attacks. Rule of cool covers it for me, plus the fact that the mounted combat rules are already tough for people to deal with sometimes.

Although it doesn't really cover flying mounts, you may find this book useful for more on mounted combat.