Why are there so many variables to riding a horse? Why isn't it a simple d20+skill vs a static DC based on the kind of horse you're trying to ride? Why is the DC hidden at all?Contributor Kirito wrote;
Rather than you all complaining, why not play the game and explore. Grab a horse with 6 ride and see how you do. Fall off? Well put another point in when you level.
Rinse and repeat.Benchmark values have been given. 6 and 33 ranks. You can even guess that somewhere in the middle... say 16 ranks... you'll have a middling ability. Your ogre might not be able to ride that elven warhorse through the gates of hell but a sober human not heavily laden or with a crippling balance problem should do alright fighting ogres on a horse meant for fighting outside Cordor most of the time.
Why? because all the variables. you've been told this many times before and can read the example found earlier here demonstrating this.Except haste spell is a fixed point. It's always a level 3 spell (editors note; incorrect). It isn't a moving target based on your environment whereas ride requirements are. Consequently giving lower and upper bounds are the only workable solution to player builds.
You want to ride perfectly on any horse, in and out of combat? it's 33 ranks. You want to ride down a safe road with your friends on a nice docile horse? 6 ranks.
You want to ride a horse? 6 ranks, an elven horse? 15 ranks, with a dwarf? 20 ranks... who is mildly inehibriated? 22 ranks... in combat against a badger? 24 ranks, the badgers on fire? 26 ranks, you are fighting the badger in avernus? 33 ranks whilst being heavily encumbered with 3000lbs of coal ? 0 ranks... you broke the horses back...now you gotta walk.Is that combat against badgers? Combat against orcs? Combat against dragons?
What about the number of ales you want to drink before riding into combat?
Where do you want to fight?
What about combat against torch wielding foes?
How much weight do you want to be able to carry?
Ride is -not- a class skill for every class, and it is simply not an option to max the skill on many builds, due to rogue, bard, wizard, and other classes not getting access to the skill. The suggestion, therefore, of "Fall off? Well put another point in when you level" is cruel and bad design, as many classes simply do not have the opportunity to do that, and heavily punishes those without access to Discord where such things are openly discussed anyway.
I take specific umbrage with the first quote by Kirito in particular, as I feel it is an insane position for a D&D game, and makes no sense at all when used on other mechanics. Take a look;
Rather than you all complaining, why not play the game and explore. Grab some armor with 6 AC and see how you do. Get hit? Well put another enhancement bonus on when you craft.
Rinse and repeat.
Rather than you all complaining, why not play the game and explore. Cast a spell with 6 concentration and see how you do. Lose the spell? Well put another point in when you level.
Rinse and repeat.
I do not like this position, much more-so when applied to something as benign as riding a horse that has, all to itself, so much going on behind the scenes it actually cannot be explained. Why is it like this? What is gained by this? Why is riding a horse so singular in its mechanics compared to literally every other system in D&D 3.0, which NWN emulates?Rather than you all complaining, why not play the game and explore. Grab Drow with 6 SR and see how you do. Spell resisted? Well put another point in spell penetration when you level.
Rinse and repeat.
This is a request to please explain the ride mechanics to the player base, and explain why the decision to make riding a horse was made so supremely complicated and what benefit to the server and playerbase comes from such byzantine obfuscation.
Dev quotes all from here; viewtopic.php?f=13&t=16167