If I direct a mount to charge an enemy but not make the optional attack, does the charge count as attacking for the purposes of the ride skill (fight with a combat trained mount) or the handle animal skill (attack trick)? Can I direct a mount to charge without making those checks if I do not direct it to attack at the end of the charge?
I could be wrong since mounted combat is a bit of a mess at times but I do believe someone has to attack at the end for it to be a charge so are you asking if you can
1. Charge on your mount and only you attack?
or
2. Declare a charge on your mount and neither of you attack but still benefit from all the things that might benefit?
I believe you can do 1 with problem 2 I don't think you can however.
I can see the point in having either the mount or the rider attacking at the end of the charge while the other refrains from attacking for whatever reason.
But is there any point in charging without attacking rather than simply double moving up to the target? Among other things, the latter would avoid the AC penalty from charging.
So what is the point of charging with a lance but not attacking with it?
| 1 person marked this as a favorite. |
So what is the point of charging with a lance but not attacking with it?
Exactly, no offense meant to the OP on this but we see questions like this alot from players trying to game some benefit out of weird rules case. They will ask a general question that seems pointless or even better to their detriment if it works, but they are hoping it works so that some non-mentioned feat/ability/spell can be used to better effect.
So we have to ask what is the point of trying to charge without actually attacking?
| 1 person marked this as a favorite. |
Why not just double move???
My "red flag" senses are tingling.
cause they have dragon style and can charge over difficult terrain but not walk over it?
Okay then take a run action not a charge.
Edit: or a Withdraw Action.
cause they have dragon style and can charge over difficult terrain but not walk over it?
That'd be fine with me in my games. -2 AC for a little extra speed? Sure.
cause they have dragon style and can charge over difficult terrain but not walk over it?That'd be fine with me in my games. -2 AC for a little extra speed? Sure.
Which is why i suggested a run action which lets you go in any direction. I still have to suspect more than just moving farther.
Reason I asked is because a "mounted charge" as described in the faq is when both mount and rider are charging. Unless both charge, you don't get the multipliers from a lance or spirited charge. I was wondeding if I could make a mounted charge without making skill checks which would be difficult at early levels.
Okay yes if your wanting the mount to charge and not attack you do still have to make it charge as far as I understand.
Reason I asked is because a "mounted charge" as described in the faq is when both mount and rider are charging. Unless both charge, you don't get the multipliers from a lance or spirited charge. I was wondeding if I could make a mounted charge without making skill checks which would be difficult at early levels.
Mounted combat rules are a mess, and how and where they interact with animal handling skill is also a bit of a mess.
That said, I don't think anyone will disagree that you can charge on your horse, make a lance attack and not have the horse make an attack.
Indeed their are many cases where your mount won't be able to attack (not having reach, you using ride-by attack etc.).
If your mount is not going to make an attack, you certainly don't need an animal handling skill check to make him to attack. If you want him to attack, you would need to make your 'fight with a combat trained mount' check, which can (maybe must) replace an animal handling check to command an attack.
If you don't want the mount to attack, then no roll of any kind is needed (at least for this, you might need to be guiding with knees or something) and you can charge and make your attack to your hearts content.
Okay. So as i thought the charge action is not itself an attack for the purposes of these skills, just the attack at the end if it.
New question, though: I thought one had to make a handle animal check to make a mount attack, then make a ride check to fight with the mount. So you only have to make the ride check? What if the mount hasn't been trained to attack all enemy types, such as undead or constructs?