How do I use lance on horse?

[Russel]

I gallop up to the target with left mouse held down and upon release the enemy usually only recieves dmg from horse
And whats the best way to start up a force of my own?

 

[Magraev]

When using a lance you don't wanna use the attack-button at all.

Below a quick guide:

1. Get a fast horse and a lance (preferably a great lance or a jousting lance)
2. ride quickly towards your hapless victim
3. Notice how you automatically lower your lance (if not you're probably too slow or going uphill, that won't work, circle around and try again)
4. Ride past the victim, keeping him just to the right of the horse and looking right at him with the mouse
5. If you do it right you'll get a red txt with "Couched lance damage" and a nice high number next to it

Practice in the arena or soloing river-pirates. Try starting a new character (I suggest a court lady since she starts with a very fast horse) and practice with her.

Let's hear how it turns out.

Edit: right, right.

 

[CurryMutton]

Just when I am about to "complain" about "couched lance is too easy"

Russel, excellent post. Allow me to add a couple of points:

"Fast" horse usually means a speed of 9 or above. Get at least a regular warhorse (a Heavy Hunter would be as good);

Equip yourself with a one-handed melee or anything shorter -- use it instead during close combat.

Charging with lance is great for you in large open flat area (aka "tank country"). Avoid, tactically, rolling hills, rivers and other confined areas.

Good huting!

 

[JohnathanStrange]

I also would note that a good "charge" statistic for the horse helps if you miss and want to keep riding past. Low charge stats mean your horse will rear back, possibly allowing you to take some hits from nearby enemies. Knocking an enemy down for "charge damage" may be the only damage you inflict until you perfect your technique.

 

[Stonewall382]

4. Ride past the victim, keeping him just to the left of the horse and looking right at him with the mouse

One quick correction--shouldn't the person be on the right of the horse, as that's the side the lance is on? I'm not entirely sure, because I don't use lances that often, but I thought the person should be on the left.

 

[Lhorkan]

4. Ride past the victim, keeping him just to the left of the horse and looking right at him with the mouse

I'm not sure, but shouldn't you keep him to the right of your horse?

 

[Magraev]

ahem - it is infact right of the horse and not left. I have two excellent excuses. I wrote the post at work and I'm a lefty...

 

[Cleitan]

You are NOT excused.

 

[Maksha]

Generally it helps to use the left mouse button too, just don't try to attack too fast or you'll cancel the previous ttack, wait for the animation to show you thrusting forwards.

Works for me, I didnt' do any damage without the mouse buttons.

 

[Wanderer]

Generally it helps to use the left mouse button too, just don't try to attack too fast or you'll cancel the previous ttack, wait for the animation to show you thrusting forwards.

Works for me, I didnt' do any damage without the mouse buttons.

That, however, won't couch the lance, and thus get you 'insta-kills' as you ride by.

 

[Maksha]

I can't do it I keep missing, haven't got one yet...

 

[Nairagorn]

Practice

Try switiching views if you haven't already, I find it easier in 1st person (f6)

 

[Maksha]

Hmm... I am level 24, practicing would help if I can't do it by now

 

[Innocence]

Hmm... I am level 24, practicing would help if I can't do it by now

You're likely not riding by close enough. There's a pretty fine line between being to far to the left (and missing), hitting with the lance (and getting the red "Couched Lance Damage" message), and galloping straight into the guy (giving horse charge damage).

With the Great Lance (the longest weapon I know of) there's no chance they'll hit you before you hit them, and if your targets are perfectly aligned you can kill three mounted riders in three seconds.

Equip yourself with a one-handed melee or anything shorter -- use it instead during close combat

For close-combat on horseback I prefer a two-handed great axe - it has long reach and does huge damage. Downside is you'll lack the shield so you're vulnerable to missile fire (particularily ICBM's )

 

[CurryMutton]

Correct me if I am wrong: iirc, great lance has a reach of 214 and jousted lance is of 218. But jousted lance knocks enemies out rather than killing them.


CMutton.

 

[okiN]

Meh, always preferred a double-ended lance myself. It's shorter, sure, but the damage makes sure that anyone you hit stays dead from there on out, even if you're not coming at them from the perfect angle.

 

[Sir Saladin]

I might try the double lance again I just thought it looked dumb, you know like the double bladed orc axe from D&D. The type of make believe weapon that you would probably kill yourself with if you tried to use it. I felt really stupid when I bought a jousting lance and I was wondering why I wasn't hurting anybody with it HEHEH.

 

[Russel]

Thanks guys I tried it out with a female court lady (w/e its called)
Works wonders, i was able to ride down 8 bandits vs only myself quite easily (Im using demo right now so only lvl 4).
I usually try to hit them with the tip of the weapon im using.

 

[Innocence]

Correct me if I am wrong: iirc, great lance has a reach of 214 and jousted lance is of 218. But jousted lance knocks enemies out rather than killing them.

Interresting, I hadn't noticed. I guess I simply took a look at the damage level and immediately disregarded the jousting lance before checking reach.

It's a shame prisoners aren't really worth the trouble in the current game state, or else the jousting lance would be a nice alternative if you wanted to do some slave trading 100 gold per prisoner is too little if you compare it to the amouts you get for selling captured stuff. When you reach level 15 or so, the fights you can manage change drastically, so instead of 3-400 gold per fight you're hauling 4-5.000(!)

Enjoy it while it lasts, cause I got the feeling this will change in the final version

Thanks guys I tried it out with a female court lady

As a gentleman you shouldn't brag about your romantic conquests

 

[pasisti]

What weapons can be used to this couched lance -thing? Everything with a lance in it's name or what?