Re: [hw-rules] Mounted Combat

On Mon, 15 Jan 2001 01:16:55 -0800, Brad Furst <esoteric_at_KWvuUmTJibScCt35GvwVquugmsMIEKYWixEYXM6cGlYCA0RpKOexd5WiF8tnksInY8M.yahoo.invalid> wrote:

>How does one determine the target number for a mounted attacker? Does the
>character need to have a skill in "Mounted Combat"? Does the Riding skill
>variably affect the Close Combat skill when fighting while mounted (that
>is, does Riding apply as possible Augmentation to Close Combat?

Characters who have a naturally mounted culture (Grazers, Praxians, Pentans, etc) fight normally when mounted, they may be able to use Riding as an Augment, BUT they suffer a penalty when fighting on foot (where they have had less training & practice) unless they develop a 'Foot Combat' ability. Characters from a pedestrian culture (Heortlings, Lunars, etc) fight normally on foot, at a penalty when riding, until they develop a Mounted Combat (or just Riding) ability.

Now... do you use the Grazer's Foot Combat, or the Heortling Riding, as a limit (use the lower of CC or there abilities), or as an Augment to the penalised ability? Up to you. Likewise, I don't remember what specific penalty should be imposed, but I'd recon the easiest way to run it is use the lower of the two abilities, and allow augmenting with the higher. If riding is the 'natural' combat style, like Grazers, use the higher and augment with the lower (a horse or other mount is a damn effective weapon in itself, and can greatly increase combat effectiveness). Note, however, just to add further complication, that a mount must be trained for combat to be willing to stick around near loud men with nasty pointy things...

Wulf             Received on Sun 14 Jan 2001 - 13:46:57 EET