Hey, Mr. Coffelt! I wanted to say job very well done. You've probably heard this all before, but this archetype alone ignited my interest to play this class. That's talent as an artistic creator. I'm excited to see what you produce next round :) Thanks!
I love it, I usually play rangers, but this really makes me want to play a cavalier. The use of hounds is balanced and clever. I do also believe that trip, and a few other abilities would help. I have no problem with the first hound being equal to druid companion, and later second hound adding penalty. The kill command needs revising. Great job! love to see this in print, I WOULD PLAY IT!
I immediately though of A Song of Ice and Fire by George R.R. Martin
It reminds me off Alain the boy from Kate Elliott's Crown of stars serie.
Esspecially since he has 2 dogs.You were thinking Jon Snow, right?
Almost forgot to say I absolutely love this archetype. Hope it will become official. If not I houserule it, One of the DM's liberties :)
I will rename the Kill command to "Go for the Throat"
I was originally thinking about naming it "Sic 'em" but decided to leave it open ended so the player could choose for themselves an appropriate command.
really like the hound master very cool
had one thought wouldn't it be easier to have the dogs be the same say have both of em be 2 levels lower that way there stat block would be similar easier to keep up with and youd have a mathcing set.
Awesome this is gonna be my next PC.
Powerful with order of the Dragon (2 auto flank buddies) or Order of the shield (since hounds are allies) challenges.
Is there a link to the final version of this archetype, or is that it on the first page of the thread? I love this version of the class.
I'm getting to play this Archetype in a Carrion Crown AP that we just started yesterday. We haven't even had any combat and it's been a blast. The RP potential is off the charts.
I'm having him training several hounds at different times while he as his main (and very well trained/behaved) hound (Bull Mastiff). He's even going to eventually consent to breeding a hound for the halfling paladin as a mount. {giggling with nerdy joy!}
Just a note, as written a level 20 hound master whose hounds die will never get ones that have the special abilities such as Link, since there are no levels after 20.
I'm curious how Expert Handler would work with Boon Companion.
I really don't think the presenter's going to be back to respond to any further comments for now; maybe if you're fortunate he'll be back in this part of the forums some time around about the start of the next contest...
RPG Superstar 2008 Top 32, 2011 Top 16
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Star Voter Season 6, Star Voter Season 7, Star Voter Season 8, Star Voter Season 9
aka JoelF847
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Ask A RPGSupersuccubus is posting from the point of view of a CE inclined Abyssal Temptress. In which context, 'kindness' is almost always unintended and a consequence of having a pressing Much More Important afternoon tea appointment to get to with Someone Quite Important.
I really don't think the presenter's going to be back to respond to any further comments for now; maybe if you're fortunate he'll be back in this part of the forums some time around about the start of the next contest...
I can't speak for Cody, but I watch the RPG Superstar forums on the off chance anyone comments on my entries...so he might as well.
RPG Superstar Season 9 Top 16, RPG Superstar 2015 Top 32
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Star Voter Season 6, Star Voter Season 7, Star Voter Season 8, Star Voter Season 9
aka CalebTGordan
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Just wanted to pop in here and say that I am really really hoping this one becomes a refined and published archetype. I am planning on playing this as soon as I have an open campaign, but I would really like to see this get the honor it deserves in a book.
It needs to be in 'Inner Sea Combat"
why isnt this a real archetype yet?
why isnt this a real archetype yet?
Sorry about the thread necromancy but I concur! I'd feel more comfortable rolling one up if it was "official" so to speak. Maybe we'll get lucky with Knights of the Inner Sea.
It seems to be the ONLY way for someone to play a military style dog handler in Pathfinder with the AC rules and possibilities. Make it so, Paizo!
bump
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i have one of my players trying this class out. Hes built it with boon compaion but somehow he has been able to get a second animal compainion is that even possible.
hes lvl 13 with 2 13 hd dire wolives.
A Hound Master uses the druid progression for animal advancement, so, at 13th level, he'd have an 11 HD 'hound.' His second one, thanks to Boon Companion, will also be 11 HD. (Boon Companion cannot raise your effective druid level for this purpose above your actual character level, and it only affects one companion.)
Two 11 HD 'hounds' (using the wolf stats from the core book) are effective, but not terribly brutal for encounters balanced for a 13th level party. The design of the AT neatly sidesteps the potential horror of two 11 HD big cats or velociraptors or rocs or whatever, by limiting the companion choices to wolves.
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It looks like the new Animal Archive basically has this, but not just for dogs! It's called the Huntmaster instead of Hound Master, and there are a few changes. But it's very interesting!
I know I'm kind of opening an older thread, but I was reading the cavalier optimization guide, & saw the link to this thread. I really like the idea of the archetype, but thought of a couple modifications. I've italicized the changes I made to the original text:
Hound Master (Cavalier)
Most cavaliers charge into battle atop mighty steeds, however some lack the finesse with equines required to be proficient riders. Still wishing to serve their order, hound masters choose to fight beside war hounds which are powerful animals trained for battle. A hound master has the following class features.
War Hound (Ex): At 1st level, a hound master gains the service of a loyal war hound to aid him in battle. This hound functions as a druid’s animal companion, using the cavalier’s level as his effective druid level. The creature has the same stats as a wolf.
The war hound is always considered combat trained and begins play with Light Armor Proficiency as a bonus feat. A hound master’s hound does not gain the share spells special ability. These hounds are not suitable for riding and cannot be trained to carry riders.
A hound master’s bond is strong and if the war hound dies, the cavalier may find another hound to serve him after 1 week of mourning. This new hound does not gain the link, evasion, devotion, or improved evasion special abilities until the next time the cavalier gains a level. This ability replaces mount.
Pack Tactics (Ex): At 3rd level, a hound master learns greater coordination with his war hound. When a hound master and his hound are flanking the same creature, the hound master’s flanking bonus on attack rolls increases to +4. This ability replaces cavalier’s charge.
Expert Handler (Ex): Upon reaching 4th level, the hound master may take on a second war hound; while smaller and weaker than his primary hound, it is still a useful ally. This ability functions like the war hound ability, except that the hound master's effective druid level is equal to his cavalier level – 3. In addition, this ability allows the war hounds to choose from teamwork feats when selecting feats gained from additional Hit Dice.
Alternatively, the hound master may choose to take on a mount, as a more traditional cavalier. However, the hound master’s effective druid level is still equal to his cavalier level – 3 when determining the mount’s abilities. This ability replaces expert trainer.
Go For the Throat (Ex): At 11th level, a hound master has perfected fighting beside his animals. Whenever an opponent is tripped or overrun by the hound master or one of his war hounds, the opponent provokes an attack of opportunity from the hound(s) or the hound master, depending on who performed the trip or overrun. The target must be threatened by both the hound master and his war hound(s). This ability replaces mighty charge.
Kill Command (Ex): At 20th level, whenever an opponent is threatened by the hound master and both of his hounds, the hound master may issue a kill command. This is a swift action that grants both hounds an attack of opportunity on the target. Any critical hits from this attack are automatically confirmed. A creature cannot be the target of this ability more than once per day. This ability replaces supreme charge.
I'm interested in any feedback on my changes. I'm considering letting one of my pc's try this out in our next campaign.