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Just wanted to clarify that the following cavalier abilities provide bonuses to the cavalier's alles, but not himself, since the ability descriptions don't state that the cavalier gets the bonus, as well. Note that this is different than the Order of the Dragon's "Strategy" ability which specifically states that the cavalier also gets the bonuses as well as his allies.
Order of the Lion:
Lion's Call
For the King
Shield of the Liege
These all state that the cavalier's _allies_ gain the bonus, but does not say that he gets the bonuses as well.
Correct?
Thx!
IIRC, unless otherwise stated, you are always considered your own ally...
IIRC, unless otherwise stated, you are always considered your own ally...
Shield of the Liege:
Allies that are adjacent to the cavalier receive a +2 shield bonus to their AC
You are never adjacent to yourself. Though the point of that ability is to affect allies and not yourself because it doesn't make sense to use it solo.
For the King probably should affect you.
I have more of a problem with the Phalanx Soldier Fighter archetype Shield Ally abilities for level 13 and part of level 17. It makes no sense for those to NOT be able to be used for yourself.
IIRC, unless otherwise stated, you are always considered your own ally...
I would tend to agree, but the cavalier (and bard) rules seem to do the opposite. Unless they specifically state that the ability also affects the character as well as his allies, it appears that they don't.
Examples:
Cavalier Order Abilities
Strategy (Ex)
At 8th level, the cavalier can spend a standard action to grant one of a number of bonuses to all allies within 30 feet (including himself ).
vs.
Lion’s Call (Ex)
At 2nd level, an order of the lion cavalier gains the ability to rally his allies. <<< Note there's no mention of including the cavalier in the effect here
For the King
<<< No mention of including the cavalier in the effect here
Shield of the Liege
<<< No mention of including the cavalier in the effect here
Bard Examples:
In the bard ability descriptions, they make a point to repeatedly include the text "(including himself)" on various abilities that can affect allies.
Inspire Courage (Su)
A 1st level bard can use his performance to inspire courage in his allies (including himself), ..
Countersong (Su)
At 1st level, a bard learns to counter magic effects that depend on sound (but not spells that have verbal components.) Each round of the countersong he makes a Perform (keyboard, percussion, wind, string, or sing) skill check. Any creature within 30 feet of the bard (including the bard himself)
Distraction (Su)
At 1st level, a bard can use his performance to counter magic effects that depend on sight. Each round of the distraction, he makes a Perform (act, comedy, dance, or oratory) skill check. Any creature within 30 feet of the bard (including the bard himself)...
Rallying Cry (Su): At 1st level, an arcane duelist can use performance to rally dispirited allies. Each round he makes an Intimidate check. Any ally (including the bard) within 30 feet ...
Again, the point is that the designers went out of their way to specifically state when these abilities affect the character as well as his allies. They did this for one of the cavalier order abilities, but did not for the others. If this is a mistake, I'd expect to see it corrected in the errata.
Shield of the Liege only has any affect if you are using it for allies. It makes no sense to use it for yourself and in fact it is pretty much useless solo. Though, there is an error in it: you can grant a +2 Shield Bonus to AC, but it doesn't specify the shield type you must be using to do it, thus you can grant a higher shield bonus than you yourself have.
I am just thankful that my DM ruled that Banner affects the Cavalier himself as well.