|
I have to say, although I do not play mounted characters myself, I have seen some other players play cavaliers without almost any problem. There are indeed quite a few open-air scenarios. Although there are also a lot that are not, and we have found cavaliers and samurai still do a great job unmounted.
Have you thought about playing a Small race? With a halfling or gnome cavalier, your mount will be medium, and you will be able to take it with you into dungeons.
|
|
That's a bit extreme Malag. Off the top of my head (spoilers JUST IN CASE)
Frostfur Captives
The Pallid Plague
quest for perfection 1 and 3
Perils of the Pirate Pact
Delirium's tangle
Tide of Twilight
Among the gods
quest for perfection 2
god's market gamble
|
|
It's going to depend a lot on the scenario you're playing and a fair amount on the Judge. I would say more times than not, you'll find yourself in fairly cramped quarters where a Large creature will barely fit and where you'll have no room to charge. You'll also have a lot of urban and/or social encounters where it would be expected that your mount is stabled somewhere (you're not likely to bring your horse into an inn or shop).
As others have pointed out, the size issues are largely solved by playing a Small character with a Medium mount, but there will still be many times your mount will not be available at all (and this is where the Judge's discretion comes into play).
I would suggest that if you want to make a mounted character, you wait and make it your second character. Or make the character if you have your heart set on it, but make sure you maintain utility when on foot. The Cavalier's Guide here has suggestions on how to walk that line.
|
That's a bit extreme Malag. Off the top of my head (spoilers JUST IN CASE)
** spoiler omitted **
** spoiler omitted **
many of your examples are not friendly to mounted characters.
some would be down right BAD for a mounted character.
Or were you looking for examples of scenarios that it would be bad to be a mounted character in?
Maybe you should be more specific, nosig.
|
For a medium character with a large mount VERY difficult.
Small mounted summoner= Peice of cake.
Small mounted paladin or cavalier should probably take a dog, since despite being the same medium size as a pony are MUCH easier to take indoors, up stairs, and if all else fails you can probably pick it up and carry it.
|
RPG Superstar 2015 Top 32, RPG Superstar 2012 Top 32
|
Mostly I agree here. Smaller mounted characters will have an easier time in many scenarios. Still have some problems, and some scenarios would still bar them (one big example in the list above).For a medium character with a large mount VERY difficult.
Small mounted summoner= Peice of cake.
Small mounted paladin or cavalier should probably take a dog, since despite being the same medium size as a pony are MUCH easier to take indoors, up stairs, and if all else fails you can probably pick it up and carry it.
Pffft, it's a roleplaying opportunity! ;)
|
I hate to go with the bad news here ...
There are some adventures that could be considered "mount friendly" (for a horse), but I would estimate them at 10% or less of the total scenarios available for PFS.
It's sad to say, especially since I always wanted to play a "knight in shining armor" that carried a lance and the whole nine yards, but ... <sigh> that's just the nature of the beast. :(
|
I have a gnome cavalier on a large mount.
I have had a couple scenarios where I've had to leave the mount behind.
But I've also had several scenarios where I was able to use the mount quite effectively.
Wrath of the Accursed, not many problems.
Among the Gods, some, but not many problems. Actually worked out well when all was said and done.
Realm of the Fellnight Queen, through 90% of the module, no problems. Couldn't use the mount for the final dungeon.
Lost at Bitter End, Mount very effective
Frostfur Captives, some mounts can be very, very good, see Nosig's spoiler above for what problems might arise.
Perils of the Pirate Pact, disagree with Nosig.
Among the Gods, disagree with Nosig.
I would say its roughly 75% of the scenarios where you'd have trouble if your mount wasn't medium, and then there will be some issues if your mount is medium and climbing is required.
Venture-Captain, California—San Francisco Bay Area South & West
|
I have to agree with everyone who says there are very few scenarios where a large mount can be used and even fewer where it will be useful. I speak from experience as my first character is an Order of the Dragon Cavalier. In 6 months of play (and 2 conventions) I have only used Silver (well what else would a Silver Crusade Cavalier call her horse) in a fight 3 times.
That said, a cavalier can atill be useful and has some interesting special abilities that can add to a party and I do still enjoy running her. So if a cavalier is what interests you give it go, just be aware there will will few opportunities to rescue the prince in distress (I don't do damsels).
The scenarios I specifically remember my horse being usful were Frostfur Captives, and Quest for Perfection 3. First steps 3 also gives you a chance to bring your mount out of the stable.
|
You could time and ask politely your GM tho before playing scenario if this scenario will be often outdoor. That way you can shine in most cases, if it's actually legal.
@CRobledo
Playing a cavalier otherwise to shine in 20% of situations isn't worth it. You could play small sized person on medium mount, but it still limits cavalier class in PFS to much.
|
|
If you really want to play a cavalier, any chance one of your friends is willing to play a druid? :)
|
|
| 1 person marked this as a favorite. |
I run a Halfling Wolf Rider Cavalier and he has little issue bringing his full power to bear in most situations. Even when unmounted his mount acts as a companion... it's all good. For a medium character I would have to think it was a lot harder to make it work on a regular basis. I would avoid it. Think small.
|
Lost at Bitter End (fantastic scenario BTW) is season 0. Wrath of the Accursed is season 2. Realm of the Fellniight queen is an RPG superstar module.
Having run Among the Gods I will have to disagree. While climbing up a 5 foot path is difficult for a large creature I would argue that there is plenty of evidence that they could, both as real world examples (mountain goats) and via the rules (squeezing).
|
RPG Superstar Season 9 Top 8
|
On the subject of "where you can take mounts," I've found that my dwarf can go most places. Occasionally, other people give him odd looks, or comment that the lack of a beard is disturbing, but Tassel Packbearer doesn't mind. With his slow and steady racial, he can easily tote all of his bags, the exotic saddle strapped to his back, and the halfling barbarian riding on top.
He's also found that you can get some great strategies you can pull of by having a psychotic kneechopper riding on your shoulders. Like casting haste and charging into melee. That equals full attacks for your crazy barbarian friend. Or maybe you're climbing up a cliff and get attacked by harpies. Lucky for you, that halfling can reach into your bag and grab out some skyrockets!
I think the moral of the story is that it's the mount, not the setting, that determines if they're viable. There are times that my dwarf has to go it alone -- fancy dinner parties, under water, etc -- but that doesn't mean he's any less of a viable teammate. Although he is better with someone in that saddle.
|
RPG Superstar Season 9 Top 8
|
rolls eyes....
walter - you are baiting the Type A judges you know? are you doing it intentionally?** spoiler omitted **
I wasn't baiting anyone, intentionally or otherwise. I was actually unaware that this was *huge air quotes here* "an issue." If I encountered judges like that at my table, this is what I'd do.
"Oh, he can't ride in my halfling saddle? But good Sir or Madam! The Ride skill states:
If you attempt to ride a creature that is ill suited as a mount, you take a –5 penalty on your Ride checks.
There is no other mention of riding 'non-traditional' mounts here, so we're legal so far. But there are further points from the section on mounted combat in the combat section; lets explore that."
For simplicity, assume that you share your mount's space during combat.
"Kay, we're still good.
These rules cover being mounted on a horse in combat but can also be applied to more unusual steeds.
And we're still good there. Maybe he needs to make handle animal checks? Nope, you only need to do that for animals that you are riding -- a dwarf is a humanoid."
"But what about squeezing?creature can squeeze past a creature while moving but it can't end its movement in an occupied square.
As this is the only mention of two creatures occupying the same square as per the squeeze action, I guess we'll have to say that "specific trumps general," for mounted combat, or else no one can actually ride anything."
So unless there's a section I missed, why isn't this allowed Judge?""And if it isn't, fine. I'll just levitate my barbarian friend around to the same effect. Let's move on with the game and discuss this later."
"Also, thank you for taking the time to GM my table, I appreciate all the hard work you GMs do."
Tassel is a gentleman and a scholar, and abhors getting his hands dirty with violence, verbal or otherwise. If pressed, he'll gladly free up his shoulder space for a third Handy Haversack, or a second Bag of Holding.
|
|
Is your "Mount" another player character?
If not then you start falling into PFS rules on NPCs.
Other than that, if it is another player character played by another player, I have no issue with this as long as certain rules I will have to think about were adhered to.
It is odd, so odd rules will pop up.
|
RPG Superstar Season 9 Top 8
|
lol...
ok, I wish you luck Walter.
Oh, by the way, I would have no trouble with your "doubling up" at my table, but you may have to endure many off-color jokes about "Mounts" etc.Oh, and the jury is still out on if you can use the feat Mounted Combat on a PC mount. (though in a home game we had a player try to train a goblin rider to improve his AC... basicly the goblin Sorcerer would cast Vanish/Invisibility before combat, then just roll his ride checks to prevent hits on the "Mount", the first hit each round)
There was no use of any mounted combat feat, only the ride skill. I would not let that stuff fly at my table -- IMO Mounted Combat (feat) is for your basic animal, where you are controlling it to negate the attack. If both parties are operating normally as players, but one is carrying the other, there's no use for such a feat.
@ Dragn: It was another player, not an NPC.
And further clarification, this isn't a common occurrence, I just finally got to play a game with my GF and her halfling barbarian decided it wanted to ride on my shoulders, so I bought a saddle and carried her around for the scenario.
|
|
@ Dragn: It was another player, not an NPC.
And further clarification, this isn't a common occurrence, I just finally got to play a game with my GF and her halfling barbarian decided it wanted to ride on my shoulders, so I bought a saddle and carried her around for the scenario.
Cool, yeah I would not have any problem with that, though I might make some rule calls on the fly.
Like funky delaying of actions and stuff like that and making sure you are not encumbered.
Not much different the Picking up another PC and running with her, instead it is more like a piggy back ride, or playing horsey!
Edit: also if you are on all 4s, then you are prone so movement becomes wierd, like provoking AoO's and such.
|
RPG Superstar Season 9 Top 8
|
@ Dragn: It was another player, not an NPC.
And further clarification, this isn't a common occurrence, I just finally got to play a game with my GF and her halfling barbarian decided it wanted to ride on my shoulders, so I bought a saddle and carried her around for the scenario.
Cool, yeah I would not have any problem with that, though I might make some rule calls on the fly.
Like funky delaying of actions and stuff like that and making sure you are not encumbered.
Dwarf!
|
Halfling cavaliers now get the best of both worlds with the ARG.
They can usually ride their mount around because it's small-sized, but even if they can't, they can achieve 30 ft. movement speed with one of their alternate racial traits. Add to that the Order of the Paw, and I'm thinking they've beat out gnomes.
|
RPG Superstar Season 9 Top 8
|
Walter your Halfling Barbarian friend still does not get a full attack if he is riding you and you move more than 5 feet, I draw your attention to the following.
"If your mount moves more than 5 feet, you can only make a single melee attack." from the combat while mounted section http://paizo.com/pathfinderRPG/prd/combat.html you can also find it in the CRB but as im at work I cant give you the page number.
Not that I am in anyway saying you cant ride another PC but you still have to follow all applicable ride limitations
Excellent! Thank you for further clarification. I wonder if I should just carry the halfling and then set her down in front of foes now...
EDIT: Or even just have a character who's entire purpose is to carry other people, and put them in advantageous locations.
|
|
To Original OP:
You're new to PF, so you have many seasons of modules to choose from.
You can probably map out a course to take with your mounted PC.
Or...
Run two characters, trying to keep them similar levels so you can bring both to the game and inquire with the GM if the mount is viable. The unmounted one may have to go slow progression, as it will have more play opportunities.
Or...
Small characters, as mentioned above. The best mounted PC I've seen was a Druid w/ boon companion and Fighter levels. (Maybe Barb too.) He flew on a Roc that he would shrink down to medium as needed.
If you can't find enough modules that would work for your mounted PC, I would not recommend a straight Cavalier. There is an archetype or two that swaps out some of the mount abilities, so you're less balanced toward the mount.
You could choose a camel, that would be awesome.
Mike Kortes's yak-riding druid was a force to be reckoned with!
RPG Superstar 2010 Top 16
|
| 1 person marked this as a favorite. |
Andrew, I think your GM was being kind to you and your large mount in Among the Gods. A couple of encounters are inaccessible, and if I were running the table, and you left it alone when you went into [redacted] it would be dead when you came out.