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6/11/2025, 1:54:02 AM
>>95841824
So, I enjoy RPG design and higher crunch RPGs. The first thing to ask is: is the mount being used in combat or is the mount for the purposes of travel?
If it's for travel, no big deal. Nearly every RPG has fine rules.
If it's for combat and you are at all trying for any sort of realism you need to understand that Cavalry is treated a whole lot like Tanks are treated today. Namely, until we had automatic weapons, Cavalry had a decisive role on the battlefield because there is an inherent advantage to being on a 1,000 pound Destrier (war horse). If you charge by and swing a weapon, the velocity of the horse will impart incredible force to any cut. If you are able to brace a lance, this is orders of magnitude more force and easily capable of impaling even plated foes. And horse archers? The most dangerous army in history, arguably, were Mongolians. There was no answer to high volumes of horse archery in the medieval and early premodern eras.
Systems that do horse combat well include: GURPS, Mythras (and Runequest 6e), Harnmaster, and Riddle of Steel (Song of Swords is also good). I haven't played The One Ring but their rohan supplement is supposed to be good.
The "balance" tends to come with the expense and tedium of keeping your mount safe, alive, and the extensive training required to be good on horseback.
TLDR: if you want GOOD mount rules you have to accept the "balance" is going to be fucked when it comes to combat.
So, I enjoy RPG design and higher crunch RPGs. The first thing to ask is: is the mount being used in combat or is the mount for the purposes of travel?
If it's for travel, no big deal. Nearly every RPG has fine rules.
If it's for combat and you are at all trying for any sort of realism you need to understand that Cavalry is treated a whole lot like Tanks are treated today. Namely, until we had automatic weapons, Cavalry had a decisive role on the battlefield because there is an inherent advantage to being on a 1,000 pound Destrier (war horse). If you charge by and swing a weapon, the velocity of the horse will impart incredible force to any cut. If you are able to brace a lance, this is orders of magnitude more force and easily capable of impaling even plated foes. And horse archers? The most dangerous army in history, arguably, were Mongolians. There was no answer to high volumes of horse archery in the medieval and early premodern eras.
Systems that do horse combat well include: GURPS, Mythras (and Runequest 6e), Harnmaster, and Riddle of Steel (Song of Swords is also good). I haven't played The One Ring but their rohan supplement is supposed to be good.
The "balance" tends to come with the expense and tedium of keeping your mount safe, alive, and the extensive training required to be good on horseback.
TLDR: if you want GOOD mount rules you have to accept the "balance" is going to be fucked when it comes to combat.
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