Charging rider with reach + mount with no reach = ?

[EndlessTravesties]

Tl;dr RAW can you perform a mounted charge, have the rider hit with his lance (10ft reach) and then continue 5' further forward and have the mount complete its charge attack as well?

Would Ride-By Attack change this to a yes, if no?

[Odo Hillborne]

EndlessTravesties wrote:

Tl;dr RAW can you perform a mounted charge, have the rider hit with his lance (10ft reach) and then continue 5' further forward and have the mount complete its charge attack as well?

Would Ride-By Attack change this to a yes, if no?

The answers to your questions are No, and No.

The Mounted Combat rules on this subject have been extensively debated. It is acknowledged that the rules + FAQs are messy/unclear.

The Mount gets to Charge when you do, if you hit at 10' feet and the Mount cannot reach that far, it does not get a Charge. If you have Ride-By Attack the Mount may continue moving after your Charge has gone off. If your mount has Spring Attack, it can take its normal standard action attack as it moves by the target.

Ways to work around this issue:
1. Maximize the lance damage and ignore the mount's attacks.
2. Shift to a non-reach weapon, so you and the mount charge or otherwise attack at the same time.
3. Get a mount with reach/pounce.
Each of these approaches has it's ups and downs.

[Moonclanger]

I disagree with Odo.

My answers are No and Yes.

Ride-By Attack allows your mount to keep moving after you attack, but not after it attacks. In effect Ride-By Attack allows your mount to continue its charge until it attacks, ends its move or is otherwise unable to keep charging. Tactically it's usually better for the mount not to attack but to keep moving past your opponent.

Also note that Spring Attack requires a specific full-round action and so can't be used with a charge.

[Chess Pwn]

Can't charge if you don't have the same reach or your reach being longer and having ride by attack to keep going so your mount can get to their spot.

[EndlessTravesties]

Any more opinions?

[blahpers]

1. No. Either you attack with the reach weapon and then stop, or the mount attacks and then stops.
2. Not really clear, but I'd say "yes" since you're both charging. However, you'd have to stop when your mount attacks since it isn't the one with Ride-By Attack (and isn't itself mounted).