DnDNext Mounted Combat Rules

These rules seemed like a pretty major oversight in the 3/20/13 playtest packet, especially since the Paladin and his special mount was introduced.  These are some pretty basic, commonsense rules.

Other rules are in place based on my philosophy on mounts.  A high level or low level fighter who is built to be excellent at sword combat can reasonably buy a mundane long sword for 15 gp and use it effectively throughout combat. A high level or low level fighter who is built to be excellent at mounted combat should be granted the same level of effectiveness if he buys a 400 gp heavy warhorse. In 3.5 the only decent mounts to ride into combat were animal companions and Paladin mounts, because they scaled with level.  A mundane mount just died after a hit or two, at most.  In 4e this problem was solved by just removing mounted combat altogether.

The general idea is that a mount should be a useful tool that doesn't get killed one round into combat.  If you make it hard or unappealing to hit a mount with an attack, it will last longer in combat.

Targeting Mounts

-Attacks that target a mount with a rider have disadvantage.  Attacks that target a rider on a mount are resolved normally.

-Abilities, spells, and attacks that target an area that includes a mount and rider treat the mount and rider as two separate targets.  The attack targeting the mount still has disadvantage.

-When a mount is forced to make an intelligence, wisdom, or charisma ability check, make the check using the rider's ability score and relevant class features (such as Divine Grace) instead of the mount’s.

Moving

-A rider may direct the mount to move using the mount’s movement.

-A rider may dismount to any unoccupied space adjacent to the mount as part of a move by spending 5 feet of movement.  The rider may continue moving using his own movement if he has any remaining movement.

-A rider may mount when adjacent to the mount as part of a move by spending 5 feet of movement.  The mount may be directed to continue moving using its own movement if it has any remaining movement.

-Any forced movement that targets the rider or mount affects both individuals together.  The rider stays mounted.

Actions

-A rider may use his action to direct the mount to perform one of its actions, such as attack or use a special ability such as a Paladin Mount’s multiattack.