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I want to build one of these guys as recurring villain using PFS guidelines. I want to focus on only 1 dog, 2 at most. I was wondering if I could use riding dog stats, as they are a bit more impressive. I am aiming for that lvl 11 ability where if you are adjacent with your pack and an enemy, then you are flanking. First thing that springs to mi d is the teamwork feat that gives you 1d6 while flanking. Other than that, I am open to suggestion.
Please show me what you got.
I want to build one of these guys as recurring villain using PFS guidelines. I want to focus on only 1 dog, 2 at most. I was wondering if I could use riding dog stats, as they are a bit more impressive. I am aiming for that lvl 11 ability where if you are adjacent with your pack and an enemy, then you are flanking. First thing that springs to mi d is the teamwork feat that gives you 1d6 while flanking. Other than that, I am open to suggestion.
Please show me what you got.
There's a lot of teamwork feats that would work well. Not just flanking related stuff either. Tandem Trip and Coordinated Manoeuvres will help the dogs trip, especially since they're smaller than wolves. You can use Broken Wing Gambit, Seize the Moment, Circling Offence, or Improved Feint Partner to give AoOs to the pack (or have them give the AoOs to you), and Paired Opportunist to help those AoOs hit. Outflank and Precise Strike are just sensible ideas for a packmaster. Target of Opportunity + Enfilading Fire would be good for a ranged Cavalier who sends his pack to flank and distract an enemy so he can shoot them in the face. If you don't want to have this guy and his pack get surprised, Lookout means that only one of them has to make a successful Perception check.
I'd also consider taking Boon Companion once per dog if you go with multiple animals. At 11th when you get pack attack, they could be 9th and 10th level companions instead of 5th and 6th.
I'm thinking you could use riding dogs if you want to. Your hunt master will be using Mastiffs or something instead of hounds.
I feel like more dogs is better, up to a certain point, because you'll be getting more attacks in. Now they won't have as high of bonuses, but we'll get to that in a moment. More attacks = more chances to critical.
For feats Precise Striking is good. I would heartily recommend Outflank when you can.
With Outflank all of your flanking dogs will get an additional +2 bonus to attack. You and your dogs will be attacking with +4 flanking bonuses. And thanks to Outlfank whenever one of you scores a critical, the enemy provokes AoOs from everyone else with Outflank.
For the hunmaster himself, a longspear or other reach weapon might not be a bad weapon choice because you'll be able to stay just a hair further away from the PCs melee damage dealers, might help you execute a timely retreat if you need one.
Can I get a wolf? I thought it had to be a dog. I could easily see 2-3 wolves... I just don't want them to be too squishy later on. Maybe something that will allow an AoO when someone targets my pups in melee. Having too many dogs makes them more susceptible to aoe's and literally cuts their HP in half. The coolest thing about the dogs is that they all get the challenge dmg bonus, so even 2 dogs means I triple my challenge dmg.
Can I get a wolf? I thought it had to be a dog. I could easily see 2-3 wolves... I just don't want them to be too squishy later on. Maybe something that will allow an AoO when someone targets my pups in melee. Having too many dogs makes them more susceptible to aoe's and literally cuts their HP in half. The coolest thing about the dogs is that they all get the challenge dmg bonus, so even 2 dogs means I triple my challenge dmg.
I thought you might be able to refluff wolves as larger dogs, but since the archetype gives your dogs trip it's not as necessary. I do think that at least two dogs is best, maybe three if you can spare a boon companion feat for each one.
That's a lot of feats... How would you stat the build? I was thinking maybe
Human: eye for talent (I figure a +2 to all of my dogs str is worth a feat)
Str: 16 (+2)
Dex: 14
Con: 13 (+1 @8)
Int: 13
Wis: 13 (+1 @4)
Cha: 7
This is only for imp feint build otherwise drop int and con to 10 and 12. Also, boon companion only affects your Druid lvl to determine animal comp up to your HD, I don't think it improves your actual animals effective lvl if they are maxed but split (don't know if that makes sense, I'm tired)
If you are an aasimar and take celestial servant would it apply to all the ACs or just one?
Cross-posted (quoting myself) from another thread on this:
I think I've got a(n early level) progression for a Huntmaster Cavalier if you wanted to have two dogs that didn't die. Below is a chart listing how you would distribute the Druid levels to your companions. Feedback appreciated.
You / Alpha Dog / Beta Dog
Lvl. 1 / 1
Lvl. 2 / 2
Lvl. 3 / 3
lvl. 4 / 4
Lvl. 5 / 4 / 5 (1 + Boon Companion)
Lvl. 6 / 4 / 6
Lvl. 7 / 4 / 7
Lvl. 8 / 4 / 8
Lvl. 9 / 8 (Boon Companion) / 8
*Here's where you need to have GM permission to reapply Boon Companion, and if you can do that, you should probably have given it to Beta Dog at Lvl. 9 instead of Alpha.*
Lvl. 10 / 9 / 8
Lvl. 11 / 10 / 8
Lvl. 12 / 11 / 8
Lvl. 13 / 12 / 12 (Boon Companion)
Lvl. 14 / 12 / 13
Lvl. 15 / 12 / 14
Lvl. 16 / 12 / 15
Lvl. 17 / 16 (Boon Companion)/16
Lvl. 18 / ? / ?
That's a lot of feats... How would you stat the build? I was thinking maybe
Human: eye for talent (I figure a +2 to all of my dogs str is worth a feat)
Str: 16 (+2)
Dex: 14
Con: 13 (+1 @8)
Int: 13
Wis: 13 (+1 @4)
Cha: 7This is only for imp feint build otherwise drop int and con to 10 and 12. Also, boon companion only affects your Druid lvl to determine animal comp up to your HD, I don't think it improves your actual animals effective lvl if they are maxed but split (don't know if that makes sense, I'm tired)
I would advise against any character that has an anial companion to dump Charisma; one of your most important skills is Handle Animal. With only 1 rank in it at level 1, your handle Animal is only going to be a +2. You are going to have trouble getting your animal to do even tricks you have taught it.
Nice! Looks good.
@SBsdc: you are absolutely right. I may just switch int and cha. That will still leave me 3 skills/ lvl, and I can max survival and perception with my pups (Clark and Griswald)
Here is the quandary though. Should I put the +2 stat into int so they can learn team work feats immediately? The first feats will be skill focus something like this:
Me/ alpha/ beta
1) outflank / perception/ survival
2) outflank/ outflank
3) broken wing gambit
4)
5) boon companion/ broken wing gambit/ bwg
6)
7) precise strike
8) precise strike/ precise strike
9) boon companion
10) feint, partner/ same
11) feint, partner
12)
13) ?/?/?
I would advise against any character that has an anial companion to dump Charisma; one of your most important skills is Handle Animal. With only 1 rank in it at level 1, your handle Animal is only going to be a +2. You are going to have trouble getting your animal to do even tricks you have taught it.
Meh... Animal Companions all have "Link" which gives a +4 to that Handle Animal check. So even with that dumped Charisma, you still successfully "Handle" 85% of the time at first level, which will obviously get higher with level. I don't think it's a problem.
Cross-posted (quoting myself) from another thread on this:
I think I've got a(n early level) progression for a Huntmaster Cavalier if you wanted to have two dogs that didn't die. Below is a chart listing how you would distribute the Druid levels to your companions. Feedback appreciated.
You missed at least one level of progression Alex.
Boon Companion, as written explicitly disallows boosting the same companion more than once unfortunately. But it can still make the huntmaster's pack dangerous.
Lvl A B
1: 1
2: 2
3: 3
4: 4
5: 4 5 (Boon Companion B)
6: 5 5
7: 5 6
8: 5 7
9: 9 8 (Boon Companion A)
10: 9 9
...
20: 14 14
Beyond that, you can add more pets to get more Boon Companion feats. Two pets are most effective at either fifth or ninth. A third pet can be effective as well, but they'll be even weaker at high levels than two are.
Lvl A B C
1: 1
2: 2
3: 3
4: 3 1
5: 4 5 (Boon Companion B)
6: 4 5 1
7: 4 6 5 (Boon Companion C)
8: 4 6 6
9: 8 7 6 (Boon Companion A)
...
20: 11 11 10
Only problem with that is: I don't have enough feats to keep up with boon companion x3 AND teamwork feats. And my character would be sad if his puppies died.
Only problem with that is: I don't have enough feats to keep up with boon companion x3 AND teamwork feats. And my character would be sad if his puppies died.
You mean he'd have a reason to swear vengeance on the PCs and come back later with bigger, meaner dogs?
One thing I do know, is that the melee brute loves dogs IRL, and takes it easy on animals in game.
Here is the quandary though. Should I put the +2 stat into int so they can learn team work feats immediately?
Most of the teamwork feats the dogs won't actually need since the packmaster can share his with them. Lookout being the most obvious exception.
Also, has it been clarified how Eye for Talent interacts with multiple-companion archetypes?
Wow! I can't believe I missed such a game changing feature! I can spend all of my feats on teamwork feats, and all the dog feats on improving their to hit/ trip.
Wow! I can't believe I missed such a game changing feature! I can spend all of my feats on teamwork feats, and all the dog feats on improving their to hit/ trip.
Don't get too crazy though; it's only one granted per action of the hunt master (standard up to 8th, swift after that) so you'll probably still want the dogs to get some of the feats themselves.
Boon Companion x2, 2 mastiffs, the Huntsman feat from ARG, eye for talent human trait. Thiose should all stack, giving your Houndmaster even AC progression for a long time - through 10th-12th at full IIRC.
Now I need an order and a feat progression for me +2 dogs. Any suggestions?
That hunt master feat is nifty. I could dump cha even more with that.
Bump it up please.
Not sure if that is RAI, or RAW for that matter.
Str: 14 (+2, +1 @ 8 and 12)
Dex: 14
Con: 13 (+1 @ 4)
Int: 10
Wis: 12
Cha: 14
Feats
1) outflank/ SF: perception/ SF: survival
2) - / outflank/ outflank
3) Broken Wing Gambit/ -/ -
4)
5) boon companion/ precise strike/ precise strike
6)
7) power attack/ -/ -
8) - /? /?
9) boon companion/ - / -
10) -/ ? / ?
11)
12)
Still hammering out details and I feel like I'm missing something obvious.
I've got the begining of a build idea for you Byrd. Decided to make use of that whip proficiency that the archetype comes with.
Human Huntmaster, Order of the Warrior (I'm of the opinion that Way of the Samurai should be able to be used with Challenges instead of Resolves, if not, I'd suggest rebuilding with Cockatrice instead)
Str: 14
Dex: 14 (Increase Dex all the way)
Con: 14
Int: 10
Wis: 11
Cha: 12
(I think you were using a 15 point buy?)
Lvl A B
1: 1 Eye for Talent, Weapon Focus (Whip), Tactician: Coordinated Maneuvers, Challenge 1/day DR 1/-
2: 2 Honor in All Things
3: 3 Combat Reflexes, Takedown (Dogs get free trip or entangle after a successful melee attack)
4: 4 Expert Trainer (Dogs & Birds only), Challenge 2/day DR 2/-
5: 4 5 Boon Companion B, Swift Track
6: 5 5 Step Up
7: 5 6 Whip Mastery, Challenge 3/day DR 2/-
8: 5 7 Challenge 3/day DR 3/-, Way of the Samurai
9: 9 8 Greater Tactician: Feint Partner , Boon Companion A
10: 9 9 Challenge 4/day DR 3/-
11:10 9 Improved Whip Mastery, Pack Attack
12:1010 Demanding Challenge, Challenge 4/day DR 4/-, Following Step
13:1110 Improved Feint partner, Challenge 5/day DR 4/-
14:1111 Quarry
15:1211 Stand Still, Strike True
16:1212 Challenge 6/day DR 5/-
17:1312 Feat, Master Tactician: Broken Wing Gambit
18:1313 Step Up and Strike
19:1413 Feat, Challenge 7/day DR 5/-
20:1414 Improved Quarry, Challenge 7/day DR 6/-
Dogs
Starting Statistics: Size Small; Speed 40 ft.; AC +2 natural armor; Attack bite (1d4); Ability Scores Str 13, Dex 17, Con 15, Int 4, Wis 12, Cha 6; Special Qualities low-light vision, scent.
1: Tandem Trip, Link, Share Spells
2: Paired Opportunist
3: Evasion
4th-Level Advancement: Size Medium; Attack bite (1d6); Ability Scores Str 18, Dex 15, Con 17, Int 4, Wis 12, Cha 6
4:
5: Precise Strike
6: Devotion
7:
8: Outflank
9th-Level Ability Scores Str 18, Dex 15, Con 18, Int 4, Wis 12, Cha 6
9: Multiattack
10: Feat?
11:
12:
13: Feat?
14th-Level Ability Scores Str 18, Dex 16, Con 18, Int 4, Wis 12, Cha 6
14:
That looks nice. I think we have a winner.
That looks nice. I think we have a winner.
I'm not entirely happy with it; getting the necessary whip feats and both Boon Companions in there really squeezed the teamwork feats and meant leaving out some that I liked but couldn't justify the prerequisites to. And since I was trying to keep the ones with deep prerequisites on the Huntmaster so the dogs could get them for free, he doesn't really become properly operational until 13th.
Still, I really like the NPC. If I ever get the chance, I'll likely use him myself. I'm thinking that he's the bloodthirsty guy with the dogs that the evil Baron / Slave Owner from a ton of different movies (Django being the most recent reference I can think of) always sends out with his hounds to track down runaways.
There is also the Huntmaster feat from the ARG which would increase the the level of your dogs by one
There is also the Huntmaster feat from the ARG which would increase the the level of your dogs by one
By the way that feat's written, I'd say it's only going to increase one dog by one level; not worth the slot in my opinion.
What makes that feat good is that it allows your effective druid level to rise above your actual character level.
By the way that feat's written, I'd say it's only going to increase one dog by one level; not worth the slot in my opinion.There is also the Huntmaster feat from the ARG which would increase the the level of your dogs by one
While I know it is certainly not to be considered a ruling on such things, I did note that adding it to a similar build I made in Hero Lab for a Huntmaster, the feat was applied to both dogs with just one selection of the feat.
Wow! I can't believe I missed such a game changing feature! I can spend all of my feats on teamwork feats, and all the dog feats on improving their to hit/ trip.Don't get too crazy though; it's only one granted per action of the hunt master (standard up to 8th, swift after that) so you'll probably still want the dogs to get some of the feats themselves.
Also, my reading of Tactician seemed to imply it was only the bonus teamwork feats that could be shared with the pack.Tthis would mean that any other teamwork feats taken by the Huntmaster through normal feat selection could not be shared through Tachtician.
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I want to build one of these guys as recurring villain using PFS guidelines. I want to focus on only 1 dog, 2 at most. I was wondering if I could use riding dog stats, as they are a bit more impressive. I am aiming for that lvl 11 ability where if you are adjacent with your pack and an enemy, then you are flanking. First thing that springs to mi d is the teamwork feat that gives you 1d6 while flanking. Other than that, I am open to suggestion.
Please show me what you got.
Well, at that level an extra d6 will be pretty inconsequential. I would defintiely go with tripping and otehr such things for my teamwork feats.
Im totally gonna play this in my buddies homebrew.