Mounted Combatant

"Alright boys, saddle up! We’re going to blast a hole through that infantry and send them running!"
——Gorn Shattertusk, Half-Orc Cavalry Commander

The Mounted Combatant exists in most cultures that have learned to train and ride other creatures. While horses are the most common, a Mounted Combatant can ride anything capable of being tamed and directed. In fact, many high level riders choose exotic or especially powerful beasts as their mounts not only to show off, but to better dominate the battlefield. These warriors can be Mercenaries, Soldiers, Adventurers, Warlords, anyone skilled enough to ride and fight as one with their chosen mount.

It is one thing to learn to ride a mount, it is an entirely different endeavour to learn to fight properly while riding one. The Mounted Combat talent grants you the proper training to fight opponents while mounted.

Mounted Combatant

The Mounted Combatant must master movement while riding, as well as combat. Through extensive training with a variety of animals and weaponry, they learn to perform combat techniques as a single unit. The Mounted Combatant learns to protect themselves and their mount with clever maneuvering of their steed as well as attack fluidly in combination with their beast’s impressive mobility and bulk. Perhaps the most devastating, the ability to charge down an enemy from atop their mount is also mastered, making them a force of destruction to be reckoned with.

Prerequisites

  • Rank 2 Physical
  • Rank 3 Riding Skill
  • Cost: 1 Destiny Point

Features

♦ Mounted Combat Basics
While riding a trained mount, you and your mount work as one on the battle field. This grants you the following benefits:
  • You and your mount use the same initiative, fighting as a single unit (however, you still count as separate creatures, and therefore separate targets).
  • You may make Melee or Ranged Weapon attacks from your mount without penalty, however you do not gain any movement granted by an ability as part of the attack (such as with Nimble Strike).
  • You may utilize Focus Actions and Cast Actions while mounted, providing your Cast Action does not have a Somatic Component.
  • In lieu of taking your own turn, you may choose to utilize one of your mounts innate attack abilities, waiting the Recovery Time of this attack before your next turn.
  • You and your mount move as one, using your mount's movement modes instead of your own. Similarly, if you or your mount suffers from any Forced Movement, you move along with your mount.
  • You may not use the Grapple ability while mounted, except to use the Escape Grab ability. You and your mount gain a +4 Talent bonus to Grapple Checks made to avoid being grabbed. If you become Grabbed while mounted, your opponent may attempt to pull you from your mount using the Positioning Grapple ability.
  • When you suffer damage, and the damage exceeds your Healing Value, you must succeed a Riding check [DC 20]. If you fail, you are dismounted and fall Prone on the ground.
  • If you are subject to an ability that knocks you Prone, you may make a Riding check [DC 20] to avoid falling from your mount. If you fail, you are dismounted and fall Prone on the ground.
  • If your mount is subject to an ability that knocks it Prone, you are automatically dismounted and may make a Riding or Balance check [DC 20] to stay on your feet. If you fail, you fall Prone on the ground beside your mount.
  • Your mount uses your Morale as its own and will not normally flee combat (unless you wish it to). Other effects that force a creature to flee (such as Fear, still apply.
♦ Charging Ride-by Attacks
While mounted, you may use any power with the Charge augment, using your mount's movement modes instead of your own. If the power is a Melee Weapon Attack that deals damage, its deal +1 WD to one target of the attack. Additionally, when the attack concludes, if your mount has any movement left you may choose continue moving past your opponent. This movement still grants an Opportunity as normal (on you or your mount, attacker's choice).
♦ Defend as One
Gain the Defend as One ability.
Defend as One
Mounted Combatant Class Feature
Free Action
Trigger: Your mount is targeted by an attack.
Effect: You become the target of the attack instead of your mount. If you were already targeted by the attack (such as you and your mount both being in the Area of Effect), your mount is unaffected by the attack, but the attack has a +2 bonus to hit you.