1. Whether there should be an advantage of horseback over unmounted,
2. Or a disadvantage; then
3. Whether anyone, or only some professions, can fight with 2-handed weapons from horseback; and finally
4. Whether there ought to be special advantages or skills available to Knights* or Barbarians* (in particular).

Advantages or Disadvantages for Fighting from Horseback

Mounted Combat

I would only allow a bonus if the mounted Knight* is attacking a target lower than himself - two mounted Knights* deulling from horseback would cancel out any relative advantage. I would remove the bonus to attack, as fighting mounted is in no way 'easier' than fighting from foot. However, I would instead add +1 to Armour bypass and Damage. Fighting from an elevated position (such as horseback) allows the knight to use gravity and momentum to their advantage when delivering blows to less elevated targets

Knights*, Barbarians*

• 1 handed weapon on horseback: no penalty, even with shield
• 2x1 handed weapon (via Weaponskill: -2 ATTACK with each weapon, no DEFENCE penalty
• 2 handed weapon: -4 ATTACK and -4 DEFENCE

Warlocks*:

• 1 handed: -2 ATTACK, no DEFENCE penalty
• 2x1 handed: -4 ATTACK with each weapon, -2 DEFENCE penalty
• 2 handed weapon: -6 ATTACK and -6 DEFENCE

Other professions:

• 1 handed: -4 ATTACK and -4 DEFENCE
• 2x1 handed: -6 ATTACK and -6 DEFENCE
• 2 handed weapon:
  • generally can't be done, if they insist, -8 ATTACK and -8 DEFENCE,
  • 1 in 10 chance each combat round they will fall off the horse

I am open-minded to horseback fighting being learned as a skill, but really as rank improves the deficits of this will slowly become less of an issue. Fighting Orcs*, for instance, an 8th rank Knight* might not mind so much being -4 ATTACK and DEFENCE, confident that won't hurt him. This could explain, then, say the fighting with 2H weapons seen in the movies - those warriors are "high rank" fighters who care not about the combat deficits of horseback fighting, but wouldn't dream of fighting a powerful foe from horseback unless the foe was doing likewise.

Two-Handed Fighting from Horseback

I seem to recall reading somewhere that when a two-handed sword was used from horseback, it was weilded much like a scythe, sticking out at a 90 degree angle to the horse. The rider would sweep through the enemy and 'reap' a crop of heads, arms, whatever happened to get in the way... This is battlefield combat though rather than mano a mano - in this case a two-hander would indeed be a bit unweildy from horseback. As a rule of thumb I'd impose a -4 penalty to ATTACK and DEFENCE if a weapon was considered hampered by the environment or situation.

... So, I would think that mounted characters shouldn't be allowed to wield two-handed weapons without some significant penalty...

As for a Two-handed Sword -- the practicalities of balance and technique, I think, would make it a poor choice for use from horseback. But, having only sat on a horse _once_ in my life, you may argue freely with my views! ;)

With two handed swords, I thought the celts fought with two handed swords on horseback. Polearms were meant for foot soldiers, but I thought some were used on horseback as well. In my games, the only people able to use a two handed weapon from horseback are Knights* and Barbarians* anyway, and that includes missile weapons.

They were also used from horseback, Talhoffer, describes their use and it seems that they were just used one handed (they're not much heavier than an arming sword). If that's the case I would just treat them as a sword and be done with it.

Missile Fire from Horseback

As for shooting while riding, I think that will have to be a Skill of the Mighty*, or something that has to be specially learned. Even with a pre-loaded crossbow.

Regarding the horseback shot, I feel that the "moving quickly" or "moving slowly" penalty should apply only if the target is moving appropriately. However I would give a circumstance penalty for shooting from an unstable ground. If the rider is shooting at a fast moving target, the penalty is cumulative.

Not only is a charging Mongolian archer travelling at high speeds but also bumping up and down. I read on wiki that they timed themselves to release arrows at a certain time on the horses gallop. Should be another penalty for shooting from a non-stable platform whether that is a moving coach, chariot or horseback.