Elin:Riding

Riding allows you and an ally to stack onto the same square, and move as one. The chief benefit is defensive. Your mount takes damage before you in most cases, and if they are reduced to 0hp, they fall unconscious instead of dying. This means that a well-defended mount can effectively protect its rider. However, there are also several downsides, such as reduced speed and accuracy for both characters.

Benefits

• Most damage will be directed to your mount instead of you. If a monster attacks you, there's a 20% chance each turn they'll switch to your mount.
• If your mount is reduced to 0 hp, it will go unconscious instead of dying.
• Single-target spells such as buffs and heals apply to both you and your mount
• If your mount can Float/levitate, you will benefit from it as well
• Your mount cannot wander off like a regular ally

Drawbacks

• Both your and your mount's speed will be capped at a maximum limit. Leveling Riding alleviates this penalty.
• Both you and your mount will receieve a penalty to melee and ranged accuracy. Leveling Riding alleviates this penalty.
• Adds a cast failure chance to you and your mount.
  • Your mount's Cast Failure chance: = 1 - 95*100/(100+300/(MAX(5,10+Riding Skill))).
    • At 1 Riding, Your mount's chance to fail is 25.4%. At 30 Riding, it's 11.63%. The cast failure chance can't go below 5%.
  • Your cast failure chance is +5%

Notes

• Unlike Elona, enchantments with "Speeds up Travel Progress" apply when equipped by the PLAYER, and NOT when equipped by the mount.

Uncertain details

• What determines which attacks/spells are directed at the mount, vs the player?
• Some allies are better or worse as mounts. This is rated as good/normal/poor. When you ride them, you'll see a message saying "This creature is good to ride!" It's unclear what this affects.
• Does the mount's speed determine how quickly you both move?
• Does a mount's weight capcity influence its performance?