Druid to Cavalier with a horse.

[claudekennilol]

So if I start as a druid and then I start taking levels of cavalier, what abilities does my Animal Companion have, assuming it's an animal both are allowed to have--like a horse.

Pertinent info from cavalier

PRD, Cavalier wrote:

Mount (Ex):

A cavalier does not take an armor check penalty on Ride checks while riding his mount. The mount is always considered combat trained and begins play with Light Armor Proficiency as a bonus feat. A cavalier's mount does not gain the share spells special ability.

Specifically, does my mount retain its share spells ability? Does it not gain Light Armor Proficiency since it already "began play"?

[claudekennilol]

no one?

[Nefreet]

Since the Horse is on both classes' lists, your Druid and Cavalier levels stack to determine its effective level.

Your Horse gains Share Spells from the Druid class.

Your Horse gains Light Armor Proficiency from the Cavalier class.

As an addendum, there is a wonderful "Search" feature on these forums that you could have used for this question.

[claudekennilol]

And I've never seen a topic for just this question, and I wanted to discuss just this topic. Hence I made a new topic. I've seen it addressed in passing and wanted a topic devoted to this. Or are we not allowed to start new topics to discuss rules questions on this forum?

Also, effective level has absolutely nothing to do with the question.. I'm not sure where you got the need to answer that from.

What's the difference between "begins play" and "doesn't gain", then?

[Gauss]

claudekennilol,

Think of it this way: if you are a Fighter, and via your archetype you traded out Heavy Armor proficiency, would that have any effect on acquiring Heavy Armor proficiency when you take a level in Paladin?

Your AC gains share spells from your druid class and light armor proficiency from your cavalier class.

[Nefreet]

claudekennilol wrote:

What's the difference between "begins play" and "doesn't gain"

One is an addition, one is a subtraction.

A Cavalier's Animal Companion gains Light Armor Proficiency (not normally something that Animal Companions gain).

A Cavalier's Animal Companion loses Share Spells (normally something that Animal Companions gain).

[claudekennilol]

So if I do the same thing but in reverse (start with cavalier and then druid), I'd have the same class levels, abilities, and everything except my AC wouldn't have share spells?

[Nefreet]

See my first post.

[Gauss]

It doesn't matter what order you take your abilities in. Either they are on your ability list or they are not.
If you have a level in Cavalier, your mount has Light Armor Proficiency.
If you have a level in Druid, your Animal Companion has Share Spells.
If you are using your animal companion for a mount, it has both Light Armor Proficiency and Share Spells.
Welcome to the wonderful world of multiclassing, Enjoy! (Note: last bit is said with good humor, not snark.)

[Nefreet]

Same if you multiclassed Fighter and Cleric.

Fighter gains proficiency in Tower Shields.

Cleric gains proficiency in shields (except Tower Shields).

This does not mean that a Fighter/Cleric loses proficiency in Tower Shields.

[claudekennilol]

Alright, thanks.