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This rule is nothing new, it has been in the game (pretty much unchanged) since ED1.

The main reasoning behind it is the way a spear/lance is used in mounted combat, braced against the rider's body. The shock of the blow can carry through the weapon and jar the mounted attacker, possibly knocking them out of the saddle.

A sword, axe, or other melee weapon is not braced against the body in the same way and is therefore knocked loose if the attacker fails the Strength test and can't keep hold of it.

Note: Most people that are regularly doing mounted combat will have the Charge talent or skill, which is used in the test.

I see your point. Spears and Lances do not have any real damage bonus for mounted combat.

This would benefit from a rules correction. Maybe add half the size of the spear/lance to the damage step for charge.

Rider's STR + Mount's STR + Weapon Step + Charge Ranks + 1/2 the size of the weapon if Spear/Lance.

STR Step: 7 = Ork Cavalryman
Rank: 3 = Charge
STR Step: 9 = Battle Cat
DMG Step: 5 = Broadsword
Total Damage Step = 24 (STR test to not drop weapon)

STR Step: 7 = Ork Cavalryman
Rank: 3 = Charge
STR Step: 9 = Battle Cat
DMG Step: 9 = Lance (DMG 6; Size 6) (6+3)
Total Damage Step = 27 (Knockdown Test)

That would, at least, explain why a cavalrymen would consider risking the fallback. But I still prefer the pierce type to resolve this, even if that rule is way more involving.

Dont know if this really would take place in RL (this knock off the horse thing), that being said:
Saddles in Ed are not yet perfected (just like in RL history) to hold rider while he charge, but you need to hold spear/lance really hard to get maximum damage ( because if you dont you wont hit as hard), there is a chance to be knocked off the horse. But main reason to use lance (or long spear) on horse is their lenght.
In game terms: You will always strike first your opponent even if he has greater Initiative. The only thing faster (more Initiative) oponent can do is:
- get hit
- shoot and get hit
- hide behind something
- prepare for charge (if his spear is long enough, and most spears are much shorter than lance, or use pike - but its mostly useless in skirmish foot fights)
- and even if horseman misses you, he will turn slightly and ride by out of your reach (so good long spear is a must to fight lance using horseman, or you wont even have a chance to attack)

If you get hit by charging rider most of the time you are Knocked Down - which means you are no longer Prepared for the charge.

Riposting Longer Weapons p.165 rule is mostly unrealistic because if you have 6 meters long lance how on Passions the oponent can reach you with 2h sword (1.8 meter maksimum - more for troll weapons but still...).

But lances are one hit weapons because they shatter after successful hit (in RL), but can pierce even several men if they stand in tight formation.

So even if there is a chance of being knock off the mount with all that advantage IMB horsemen with spear (or even worse, lance) are feared. And use it. All the time.