Mounted Combat v0.4.0 #

Piloting a Mount #

On your turn while riding a Creature with the Mounted trait, that has designated you as its rider, your movement speed is equal to your mount’s speed. Your mount acts on the same turn as you and unless given a command via a Rider Action, your mount will take either the Dash, or Dodge action. Depending on the scenario your mount may be unable to act or follow your commands, in such a case it will often take the Dodge action.

• To Mount or Dismount an applicable Creature you must spend half your movement speed.

Rider Actions #

On your turn while riding a Creature with the Mounted trait, that has designated you as its rider, you gain the following options as Bonus Actions:

• Heroic Leap. You command your Mount to charge forward. After moving you may leap from your steed to Attack your enemy gaining advantage on any Attacks you make during this turn.
• Rider’s Call. You command your Mount to use one of the Actions listed on its Stat Block.

Creating Mounts #

Creature to Mount template #

• Restrictions. In order to serve as a mount, a Creature must be willing, at least one size category larger than its rider, and have the proper anatomy to serve as a mount.
• Mounted. During a Long Rest, this Creature can designate one other Creature who rode them within the last 10 days as their Rider. This Creature gains Temporary Hit Points equal it’s category on the Temporary Hit Points Multiplier Table after completing the Long Rest. This Creature uses the Rider’s Proficiency Bonus in place of their own Proficiency Bonus for AC, Ability Checks, Attack Rolls, Saving Throws, and the DC made to save against certain Action effects.

Temporary Hit Points Multiplier Table #

Adding Additional Effects to Mounts #

As a DM you may find a Creature to be a thematic fit for a character, but that it’s stat block is meager and uninteresting to pilot. In general one to two traits coupled with one to two actions will go a long way to get the fantasy across. If you’re lacking in ideas, considering giving the Creature the following additional traits, and actions.

Traits #

• Hot Trot. The Creature is unaffected by nonmagical difficult terrain. When the Creature takes the Dash action, opportunity attacks made against them or their rider have disadvantage.
• Water Waltz. The Creature can move across liquid surfaces as if they were solid ground. If they end their turn on top of the liquid, they sink.

Unique Actions #

• Cleave. Add this affect to a simple one target attack. Following a hit the target’s AC is reduced by the Rider’s proficiency bonus until the start of their next turn. This attack deals maximum damage to objects, structures, and plants.
• Wild Hack (3/Day). The Creature whirls around in a cleaving frenzy. The ground within 10 feet of the Creature becomes difficult terrain, and each Creature in that area must make a DC 10 + proficiency bonus Dexterity Saving Throw. On a failed save, a creature takes 3 (1d6) slashing damage and attacks against them have advantage until the start of the Creature’s next turn.

Taming a Mount #

Learning Curve #

Taming a Mount is not so easy as hopping in the saddle and praying for the best, rather the increased effectiveness of both beings in combat is a measure of their combined skills and developed bond. Put simply, “A Rider does not choose their Mount, a Mount chooses their Rider”. In order for a Rider to Tame a Mount, the Mount must be willing to choose that Creature as their Rider. This can often involve a process of bonding with the Mount over an extended period of time, often represented as a number of weeks worth of work equal to 4 + half the Creature’s CR. Once per week of Bonding a Rider may attempt to shorten this time by making an Animal Handling Check with a DC equal to 10 + the Creature’s CR, using the provided “Mount Taming Table” to determine the results of this check.

Mount Taming Table #