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Im getting ready to start a new game, and one of my players is going to run a Halfling Cavalier, and wants to use the companion stats for the T-rex from the bestiary.
On the one hand, yes, the T-rex is better statistically overall compared to the wolf or pony the book suggests for small cavaliers.
On the other hand, the book does say he could potentially use anything he could ride, so if I said no to the T-rex, he could easily be justified in wanting to use a Lion or Tiger, which I feel is really, no more ridiculous in comparison to the wolf or pony than the T-rex is.
So, other than the arguement of 'if dinosaurs dont exist in Golarion/ that part of Golarion (Varisia, btw), then he cant use it', do you feel allowing him to use a T-rex is fair?
So, other than the arguement of 'if dinosaurs dont exist in Golarion/ that part of Golarion (Varisia, btw), then he cant use it', do you feel allowing him to use a T-rex is fair?
Yes, I think that would be fair; as you say, there are a number of suitable mounts that are as good or better (e.g. big cat or elephant). The only reason I can think of for disallowing it would be "I don't like dinosaurs in my D&D".
It might be unable to survive the winter...
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It might be unable to survive the winter...
That is a good point, and something I hadnt considered. We are going to play RotRL, so that might be something to consider, if he still wants to use it, after I point out its cold-bloodedness.
Also, I have no idea if he realizes he is going to need an Exotic saddle for it, instead of a normal one.
No- if it is far better than the other mounts commonly available to him it should not be available to him.
Say what? A tyrannosaurus animal companion is inferior to a horse in several important ways from levels 1-6.
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No- if it is far better than the other mounts commonly available to him it should not be available to him.Say what? A tyrannosaurus animal companion is inferior to a horse in several important ways from levels 1-6.
I did include an 'if' in the statement you quoted.
On the one hand, yes, the T-rex is better statistically overall compared to the wolf or pony the book suggests for small cavaliers.
^^
Say what? A tyrannosaurus animal companion is inferior to a horse in several important ways from levels 1-6.I did include an 'if' in the statement you quoted.
Then let me add as a footnote: if a frog had wings, he wouldn't bump his ass a-hoppin'.
:-)
I agree that the typical mount should be a quadruped, with exceptions being some flying mounts like a Roc or something.
Halfling and he doesn't want a boar?
Whats up with all this quadruped business?
You know people in real life ride ride ostriches. Pretty sure those have 2 legs you guys.
As for the T-Rex mount, I would say that if you are using the druids animal companion as the mount (and not the base creature) then it should be fine.
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Whats up with all this quadruped business?
You know people in real life ride ride ostriches. Pretty sure those have 2 legs you guys.
As for the T-Rex mount, I would say that if you are using the druids animal companion as the mount (and not the base creature) then it should be fine.
riding them and riding them into combat are two different things. I have never heard of an ostrich being trained and ridden into battle, only raced. in that video, they didn't have enough control over the bird to be considered mounts in my opinion... plus they fall off way to easy
I would sell him on a Velociraptor instead.
Use the Tyrannosaurus Medium sized stats and never upsize it to large. This keeps him with his main advantage being a halfling rider (medium mount who can fit in most underground areas, tight buildings, etc). It also keeps it from getting large and overpowered.
As to the cold-blooded, there's arguments about that. Especially for the smaller and more active dinosaurs, or even the medium sized ones (like t-rex). So it's just as likely for a velociraptor or t-rex to be warm blooded (endothermic) than to be cold-blooded (ectothermic). The larger ones were more likely endothermic poikilothermic (cold blooded with varied temperatures based on environment). Modern birds, which are theorized to be descended from dinosaurs, are (like humans), endothermic homeothermic (self generated & constant heat), which lends weight to the idea of the smaller and medium sized dino's being warm-blooded.
riding them and riding them into combat are two different things. I have never heard of an ostrich being trained and ridden into battle, only raced. in that video, they didn't have enough control over the bird to be considered mounts in my opinion... plus they fall off way to easyWhats up with all this quadruped business?
You know people in real life ride ride ostriches. Pretty sure those have 2 legs you guys.
As for the T-Rex mount, I would say that if you are using the druids animal companion as the mount (and not the base creature) then it should be fine.
A 10yo would have a much easier time, and the bird would as well, with the lesser weight.
T-Rexes (and velociraptors) would be bigger and more heavily muscled, with better control over turning. Additionally, they're rather heavily armed naturally. :)
Heck go medium size take leadership and boon companion to have a dragonne at level 10 (from the bonus bestiary).
I would sell him on a Velociraptor instead.
Use the Tyrannosaurus Medium sized stats and never upsize it to large. This keeps him with his main advantage being a halfling rider (medium mount who can fit in most underground areas, tight buildings, etc). It also keeps it from getting large and overpowered.
As to the cold-blooded, there's arguments about that. Especially for the smaller and more active dinosaurs, or even the medium sized ones (like t-rex). So it's just as likely for a velociraptor or t-rex to be warm blooded (endothermic) than to be cold-blooded (ectothermic). The larger ones were more likely endothermic poikilothermic (cold blooded with varied temperatures based on environment). Modern birds, which are theorized to be descended from dinosaurs, are (like humans), endothermic homeothermic (self generated & constant heat), which lends weight to the idea of the smaller and medium sized dino's being warm-blooded.
This second bit. If you trust science, than it's a forgone conclusion that the T-Rex was warm-blooded. Scientists did several tests observing the growth cycles of Dinosaurs (I believe T-Rexes specifically) and found that their growth patterns match those of warm-blooded animals rather than cold-blooded ones. Also they may have, infact had feathers. link. Weird, I know.