Hey guys, I'm planning on starting the STAP with 2nd level characters, but my current 4 player group consists of 2 knights, a wizard, and a duskblade (roguish type). They play well as a group but from what I see from the first few modules, there's a lot of underground delving and ship traveling. Will the knights be out of place, as well as their mounted combat be wasted, in this campaign?
Hey guys, I'm planning on starting the STAP with 2nd level characters, but my current 4 player group consists of 2 knights, a wizard, and a duskblade (roguish type). They play well as a group but from what I see from the first few modules, there's a lot of underground delving and ship traveling. Will the knights be out of place, as well as their mounted combat be wasted, in this campaign?
There are some overland adventures but I'd certianly be concerned about the Knights Mounted Combat Focus. It won't be something they use very often in this AP unless they figure out some way to make it usable in under ground settings or in generally constricted environments. Lots of boat travel in this one and when your not on the boat your often underground.
Generally, heavy armor can have serious drawbacks in ocean bound situations. On the other hand, real knights historically didn’t walk around all day fully armored – they would only don the shell when going into battle. Any other time, Sir Knight would be dressed in the appropriate garb of nobility, possibly with a tabard.
Further, knights did not always fight in armor. During periods of relative peace (i.e. not currently at war), a knight would only dress in armor for ceremonial events and tournaments.
In short, knights were well trained to fight for king and country in situations other than mounted combat in armor. It’s only in the fantasy setting that knight equals mounted tank. A paladin could be reshaped for this environment if you’re clever.
Perhaps you could suggest that they take Dodge/Mobility, to somewhat offset the lack of armor. They could develop their characters more as chevalier or musketeer than as a knight. They would still be “paladins,” just better molded to the environment.
Hey guys, I'm planning on starting the STAP with 2nd level characters, but my current 4 player group consists of 2 knights, a wizard, and a duskblade (roguish type). They play well as a group but from what I see from the first few modules, there's a lot of underground delving and ship traveling. Will the knights be out of place, as well as their mounted combat be wasted, in this campaign?
Shark riding paladins with water wings.
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Hey guys, I'm planning on starting the STAP with 2nd level characters, but my current 4 player group consists of 2 knights, a wizard, and a duskblade (roguish type). They play well as a group but from what I see from the first few modules, there's a lot of underground delving and ship traveling. Will the knights be out of place, as well as their mounted combat be wasted, in this campaign?
In a word, Yes. The knights will be out of place. The group will spend months on a boat. Then a bad water thingy that may kill the horses. Then a trek through dino infested jungle with no real paths. Rocky mountain cliffside trails. More ships. Underground tunnels. Underwater.....
A knight in heavy armor is gonna be tough enough but the loss of mounted combat and the ability to use a horse is gonna be really awful for them.I would suggest that the knights go for something else.
Think piratey oceanic adventure.... Swashbucklers, rogues, Scouts, Lightly armored fighters, druids and rangers would all love the path. Paladins, knights, and other dudes encased in metal are gonna be constantly worried about drowning until they find means to work in and around water without fear.
I'd advise any Knight character not to focus too much on the Mounted combat side of things in most standard D&D games. I've played a Knight in Red Hand of Doom and that's mainly open terrain, yet still Mounted Combat feats weren't the best option, because enemies will just target your mount once they realise it's you main advantage and mounts just don't last long.
Also your other class abilities don't work well when you ride off away from the rest of the party. Shield Ally is much more useful than Mounted Combat.
In reality the they will spend more time caring for their Armour than in it, at sea and in the humid hot jungle it would just be a real pain, but this is fantasy so if you hand-wave all that stuff who cares? And a dino riding Knight could be fun!
A Knight can work in Savage Tide, but might have some ethical problems later on in the campaign.
A Knight can work in Savage Tide, but might have some ethical problems later on in the campaign.
Ooh, this is an excellent point I hadn't consider. Very true.