Feat: Unhorse [General]

[Harroghty]

This came to my attention when we were able to have that joust (which I will organize again on my return from Iraq): unhorsing. Yes, it is possible to fall from the saddle but what if a blow from an opponent could have the chance to unhorse someone regardless of their skill level at Mount? I saw this feat in an article:

Unhorse [General]
You are trained in unseating a rider.
Benefit: When you damage a mounted foe, that character must make a ride check of DC 5 + the damage dealt in order to stay in the saddle.
Normal: The ride check to remain in the saddle is DC 5.
Special: A fighter may select unhorse as one of his bonus fighter feats.

Schwartz, David. "Knights and Pawns: New Feats and Weapons for Cavalry and Infantry." Kobold, August 6, 2008, 48.

There were other recommendations already addressed in the game but this one caught my attention as something that could be worked with for Forgotten Kingdoms eventually and add more nuance to mounted combat.

[Glim]

I like this feat. It would provide a bit of an edge against those who like to fight mounted opponents.

Also, that supplement article looks quite interesting. Would it be possible to post more feats from it or give a link where they could be viewed?

That can be done via pm if you would prefer and/or have the inclination.

[Harroghty]

I will put them up here when I have the opportunity (probably tomorrow morning). There are only three more, I think.

[Harroghty]

The other feats from the article...

Agile Shield [General]
Your deft shield movements distract your opponent and obscure your weapon.
Prerequisite: Shield Proficiency
Benefit: When using a shield (except a tower shield), its shield bonus increases by +1. Add your shield bonus to Bluff checks made to feint in combat.
Special: A fighter may select Agile Shield as one of his bonus fighter feats.

Hedgehog [General]
Your rapid strikes and thrusts force an opponent to keep his distance.
Prerequisite: BAB +6, proficient with any reach weapon.
Benefit: When you make a full attack with a reach weapon (except a spiked chain) with which you are proficient, you may also attempt to push back one target of the attack. Treat this as a bull rush, but you automatically move into the target's space, and you cannot push the target more than 5 feet.
With a weapon that provides 10 foot reach, you move 5 feet toward the target and push the foe an equal distance.
Special: A fighter may select Hedgehog as one of his bonus fighter feats.

Shield Barge [General]
You are trained in both forming and breaking shieldwalls.
Prerequisite: Shield Proficiency
Benefit: When using a shield you are proficient with, add your shield bonus to opposed Strength checks (on your combat manuever bonus) both when making bull rush, overrun, and trip attempts and when being targeted by such attacks.
Special: A fighter may select Shield Barge as one of his bonus fighter feats.

Schwartz, David. "Knights and Pawns: New Feats and Weapons for Cavalry and Infantry." Kobold, August 6, 2008, 48.

[Liandria]

I think this is a good idea, I'd like to see unhorse to be a skill used with mounted polearms and polearms. (spears, lances)
Imagine a unit of cavaliers coming down the road into a team of pikemen.

[Harroghty]

I like where you're going with that, Liandria. Ostensibly the feat is designed only for mounted combatants (attacker and defender both mounted), but you bring up a good point.

I think the feat should apply to any weapon when mounted but could be extended to apply to, I believe, great blades and polearms when dismounted. The value of polearms against cavalry is commonly understood but picture the Swiss mercenaries who learned their trade against their aristocratic, mounted oppressors; they fought with pikes, halberds, and greatswords (one of the few examples of this sort of weapon actually used in something beyond judicial combat) to be used against cavalry.

That's a good angle, Liandria. Thanks!

[Selveem]

I wouldn't mind seeing it usable via great chains and whips on the ground, too, but this is me just thinking aloud.

[Harroghty]

Hm. Yes, that would be nice, but there are weapons traditionally used against mounted opponents. Most of these are selected by the time-honored process of trial and error.

Shorter, less substantial weapons present obvious issues (you get hit first!). Chains, on the other hand, present the problem of requiring a lot of skill to damage your opponent (it is, however, remarkably easy to damage yourself) even on foot. I think it would require a large amount of skill and a great sense of timing to unhorse someone with a flail. It isn't impossible but I recommend that this feat, if extended to apply also to opponents on foot, should be limited to traditionally effective weapon types (great blades and polearms).