Hi,

Ok your little unit of knights is attacked by a volley of arrows. They decide to split their attacks.

Do you give the bonus for being mounted to both the defence e.g. getting your shield in the way of the arrow and the melee attack?

or

Just the melee attack?

I am inclined to give it to both as the rules state


Missile units do not suffer a -5 penalty if they are on foot
and shooting at mounted targets.

Which indicates to me that the +5/-5 modifier for mounted v foot is a factor in the resolution

Cheers,

Steve

Sounds logical. I mean, it's not like you're a harder target just because you're on a horse.

oh god please be merciful

I probably wouldn't apply the foot versus mounted penalty. However, the added speed at which a man on horse moves might justify a -5 to hit under some circumstances.

Missile units do not suffer the -5 penalty for attaching mounted opponents.

I think that the ability to use your skill to oppose the archers, and the ability to get your shield's armor points replaces the -5 to hit modifier that shields provided in the GPC.

I probably wouldn't apply the foot versus mounted penalty.


That is correct.
There is no height and scariness advantage for the mounted man when his for is far away, shooting at him.
Remember that most of these missile troops are not in the front line, but often an additional zone away.



However, the added speed


Perhaps offset by the additional size of the target.



at which a man on horse moves might justify a -5 to hit under some circumstances.


There are always "some circumstances" that the GM should keep an eye out for. Those little "conditional holes in the rules" are where fun and surprise lie

In terms of the 'speed of movement modifier', I think that would really only apply to regular melee where the archer is targeting an individual. The speed of movement or potential intimidation of being charged might justify the -5. However, in battle, missle troops would generally be not be picking individuals but directing massed fire at an area. Plus a mechanism already exists within the battle rules for missle troops to be 'nervous', at least in the first charge (yes?).

NT

Plus a mechanism already exists within the battle rules for missle troops to be 'nervous', at least in the first charge (yes?).


Yes, and most of them simply Sprint if actually attacked, too.