Exactly what the title says: I'd like to play a tiger-riding warrior. Sure, there's He-man, but also various games like WoW and ESO have options for feline mounts.
My thinking: I'm thinking of playing a Cavalier, but it seems like it'll be approx 21 games before I can get a cat mount that's size Large using the Beast Rider archetype. Looked at Ranger, and even at Summoner, and I don't see options for a giant tiger mount until well into the game; summoner gets size Large only at 8th level. I'm not sure if Paladins could gain a big cat until level 7 either. I do not want to play a gnome summoner or halfling/goblin dog-rider, thanks. I'm open to a paladin, a barbarian, fighter, cavalier, sure, just wondering what's possible in PFS *or* if this is more of a home game concept.
Suggestions appreciated, I know you kind people are very clever with mechanics, and that time is limited for all of us. Thanks!
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Mechanically, I don't think there are any rules allowing you to get a large sized mount right away or even early access, but if you are trying to emulate He-Man, remember that his cat was really just a simple house cat until he "powered up." You could simulate that with magical expendable resources like a scroll of animal growth. Cast that at the earliest opportunity and he becomes the monstrous combat mount you want. Barbarian rage would also be somewhat thematic with this build, perhaps combined with a melee hunter build for the companion and access to the spells you'll need. Of course cavalier is also a good choice but you'll need an option that would allow you to take a cat as your mount instead of horse and stack with other classes that might provide companions. Granted it's not an ideal choice since your first round of combat will usually be just buffing, but I think you'll find that the excellent combat effectiveness of this theme will far outpace the loss of a single round of actions.
http://www.d20pfsrd.com/magic-items/wondrous-items/wondrous-items/c-d/dire- collar
Could turn cringer into battlecat starting around adventure 8.
Bob: There's the Beast Rider archetype. I'd be Medium, but if allowed to take a Medium cat as a mount, he could use that scroll or, eventually, a Dire Collar in the meantime. Would PFS allow me to take a mount that's too small for me *if* I can ride it via items or spells?
BigNorseWolf: Thanks! :D
I like Cavaliers, though I wonder if there's a Barbarian archetype that gets an animal companion. A Gestalt game would solve the problem, of course, but I'm thinking about PFS. I managed it in 4e using a Barbarian.
Pretty sure He-Man would be a great premise for a Mythic campaign. Avoids going high-level (more monsters and adventures while still "epic"), plus add some Numeria or d20 Future tech/cybernetics for kicks.
Another build I'd like to show up with is an Elsa from Frozen Boreal Sorcerer (she's untrained, born with the power, so not really a Witch or Wizard; but I did look at those options). My kids were playing with a Disney boardgame made by Hasbro, and I just want to see the looks on the faces of the group when I show up with a Disney Princess figurine... and just pretend I don't know what they're talking about. I'm hoping I can keep my power face on until one of them (likely one of the ladies, as the guys tend to be more inhibited) starts singing to prove me wrong. I plan to make it worse by casually responding with movie quotes, a la Michael Keaton in "the Other Guys" quoting TLC songs. :D
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Technically, no it wasn't. Cringer was a green tiger. As Battle Cat he became bulkier with far more muscle mass and shaggier fur, but overall size didn't increase that much. It just looked like it did due to Cringer always cowering, then going into a confidant combat stance with some kick ass barding.
That said, would a battle host occultist with transmutation focus (initially) be a better choice for making He-Man? You'd still have to buy your tiger mount
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I am Rufus, Knight of the Silver Crusade and defender of the secrets of Castle Dawnspire. This is Alabaster, my fearless friend. Fabulous secret powers were revealed to me the day I held aloft my magic sword and said Alabaster became the mighty Grapplecat, and I became...
So, I literally have a character who is based off of He-Man. Sir Rufus is half-human, half-gargoyle (explaining his Oread heritage), and is the inheritor of Castle Dawnspire, an enchanted castle from a magical realm, transformed into a suit of armor (currently +1 hosteling stoneplate of comfort) for protection from the forces of evil. Using his oread magic (and some magic items), he summons miniature castle walls around himself and his allies, and battles alongside Alabaster, a lion who usually sleeps inside the castle when not battling, miniaturized to live inside its tiny corridors. He has 4 levels of Castellan cavalier, so he gets all kinds of bonuses when he fights behind cover, with high ground, or within fortifications.
In battle, he can summon the Spirit of the Castle Guardian, a spectral griffon, to imbue Alabaster with the power of flight. He gets this power from his 4 levels as a Primal Companion Hunter, giving Alabaster the Flight evolution for a few minutes each day. Alabaster is an absolute monster in combat, and pounces on enemies and grapples them to the ground.
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Actually, tinkering around with a battle host occultist, the following two things would make it nearly perfect for a "he-man" type character.
Physical Enhancement is the transmutation focus ability. It gives you a boost to one physical attribute when you invest focus into the implement. It isn't going to be a "lift buildings and toss over sized boulders" strength increase, but still an impressive +6 to strength by high levels. Unfortunately it doesn't stack with physical attribute boosting belts.
Then for your initial focus power, Size Alteration. This lets you use a focus point to increase or decrease one creature's size by one step for one round per occultist level. Again, it's not going to allow you to ride your Battle Cat all day. Nor does it give the barding. But it's thematically appropriate.
Animal Archive lists prices for ride animals - a combat trained tiger comes for 500 gold. Not sure whether it's PFS legal. Its battle prowess will be limited later on, so it would need buffing or to stay out of battle.
A small druid could ride a tiger animal companion from level 1, actually...
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I can see my occultist now...
"I am Adam, prince of Rosewater and defender of Castle Brierthorn"
A guard leans over and whispers "No he's not, his father's a merchant. And I ain't never heard of a castle brierthorn."
"Fabulous secret powers were revealed to me the day I held aloft my magic sword..."
The guard then comments "Magic? Hah, I was there when he found that rusty thing in a flea market."
"... And said By the power of Brierthorn, I have the power"
Cue transformation sequence into She-Ra, guard then says "The sword ain't magic. But I got no idea where the battle dress comes from. Or the cleavage. It's kind of disturbing, really."
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Animal Archive lists prices for ride animals - a combat trained tiger comes for 500 gold. Not sure whether it's PFS legal. Its battle prowess will be limited later on, so it would need buffing or to stay out of battle.
Additional Resources: "A PC can only purchase an animal, mount, or similar creature if its Challenge Rating is lower than that character's level; creatures with a Challenge Rating of 1 or lower are exempt from this restriction, as are horses."
Could also wait for Vigilante to come out in the new book?
Or for the He-Man part. You guys are great, but wow the ADD is strong on this thread ;P
I was getting a Batman vibe from the vigilante, but Zorro works, too. Definitely an intrigue/RP character vs a sword & sorcery concept, but that isn't necessarily a bad thing. Eberron as a cold war style game of spies and intrigue would work. In fact, the Scarlett Pimpernel is a fantastic example of exactly that: English nobleman who has a secret persona where he goes to revolutionary France and rescues aristocrats from the guillotine.