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The second type of bond allows a paladin to gain the service of an unusually intelligent, strong, and loyal steed to serve her in her crusade against evil. This mount is usually a heavy horse (for a Medium paladin) or a pony (for a Small paladin), although more exotic mounts, such as a boar, camel, or dog are also suitable. This mount functions as a druid's animal companion, using the paladin's level as her effective druid level. Bonded mounts have an Intelligence of at least 6.
How would a mount have a higher INT, short of magical equipment? I remember that in 3.5, the mount actually got smarter as the paladin leveled, but since paladin mounts are now just smart animal companions, where does one take this? Was something going to be done, but ultimately dropped or forgotten? Would it be appropriate to offer intelligence increases in place of bonus tricks which are otherwise waisted on a sentient mount?
So many questions, so little sleep.
You could spend the point increases you get every 4 hd in Int giving it more. It simply starts at Int 6.
The second type of bond allows a paladin to gain the service of an unusually intelligent, strong, and loyal steed to serve her in her crusade against evil. This mount is usually a heavy horse (for a Medium paladin) or a pony (for a Small paladin), although more exotic mounts, such as a boar, camel, or dog are also suitable. This mount functions as a druid's animal companion, using the paladin's level as her effective druid level. Bonded mounts have an Intelligence of at least 6.How would a mount have a higher INT, short of magical equipment? I remember that in 3.5, the mount actually got smarter as the paladin leveled, but since paladin mounts are now just smart animal companions, where does one take this? Was something going to be done, but ultimately dropped or forgotten? Would it be appropriate to offer intelligence increases in place of bonus tricks which are otherwise waisted on a sentient mount?
So many questions, so little sleep.
Just because the mount is sentient doesn't mean it has access to tricks. Tricks imply training and discipline. Soldiers are sentient, too, and they don't do their jobs with skill and precision until they've been trained. Same kind of thinking applies here. Tricks imply instant obedience regardless of the situation, not "I will think about this and maybe choose to go along with it."
==Aelryinth
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Just because the mount is sentient doesn't mean it has access to tricks. Tricks imply training and discipline. Soldiers are sentient, too, and they don't do their jobs with skill and precision until they've been trained. Same kind of thinking applies here. Tricks imply instant obedience regardless of the situation, not "I will think about this and maybe choose to go along with it."
Actually, I was speaking more to the fact that tricks are only available to creatures of INT 1 or 2. A paladin's mount could never access those tricks, as his INT is too high. Thus, the bonus tricks that an animal companion is usually granted are an absolute waste for the mount.
Animals can learn tricks no matter their intelligence... its just the fact that once they hit Int 3 they really don't need the tricks anymore since you can just give them a rank of linguistics and yell commands to them.
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Animals can learn tricks no matter their intelligence... its just the fact that once they hit Int 3 they really don't need the tricks anymore since you can just give them a rank of linguistics and yell commands to them.
Sorry for my poorly worded bit. I did not mean that they did not have access, but rather that their intelligence necessitates a comprehension beyond what tricks are intended for. Thus the bonus tricks are, in essence, wasted.
eg. you have to train an animal companion to guard a door.
Attempting to train the mount would be insulting, as you could simply say, "Guard this door, ok?"
Also, I believe 6 INT means that it would already be able to comprehend a language (probably chosen by paladin), but I see your point.
Probably so, however with say an INT 3 boar there is more of a question on it and with the rank you clearly have an animal that can comprehend the language spoken... probably still can't speak it though they could write it (poorly in all likelihood).