When using a Ride skill check to claim cover from your
mount, exactly when do you start claiming cover from your
mount? When must you stop claiming cover from your
mount? The skill description says you react instantly to
claim cover, and it doesn’t take an action. Does that mean
you can do so anytime, even when it’s not your turn? The
skill description says you can’t attack or cast spells while
claiming cover. Why is that significant if you can claim
cover anytime without using an action?
You can make a Ride check to claim cover from your
mount anytime, even when it’s not your turn. Make the check
before your opponent makes his attack roll. If your check
succeeds, you have cover against your opponent’s attacks. If
several different opponents attack you during the same place in
the initiative order, one Ride check determines if you have
cover against all those attacks. If you’re attacked again, you
must make another Ride check to claim cover again. You
cannot claim cover while you’re casting a spell or making any
kind of attack. So, for example, if you cast a spell while
mounted, you can’t use your mount as cover against any attack
of opportunity you might provoke. You also cannot claim cover
from your mount while making a charge attack (not even
during the movement portion of your charge).
