While I don't need to be a full BAB, I do want some ability to fight and have a full spell progression. That basically limited me to a cleric, oracle or druid. But it seems Divine Magic is quite inferior to Arcane. Is this accurate? And is druidic spells any better?
Or does anyone else have any ideas?
The concept is a fast cavalry type. Mounted combat, but basically a hit and run specialist. I figure the least feat intensive version would be a sword wielder with mounted feats, and vital strike. Does this make sense?
I'd think if you want fast cavalry, nothing'll beat a druid that uses her AC as a SUPER MOUNT.
Except a Cleric built for buffing with the animal companion and the Boon Companion feat to bring it up equal to a Druid. That's pretty close.
Except the Druid can BECOME the mount in a pinch. Either one works pretty well. It all comes down to if you want metal armor or the ability to turn into an octopus.
Druid with a nice animal companion sounds like the best fit.
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While AM REAL ROLEPLAYER has a point, and it does sound like you're asking to be overpowered, I'll do my best to answer...
Druid is quite fun. I actually like the druid spell list; it's not going to allow you to be a blaster, but it's good for buffing and debuffing, and I love the flavor. Having an animal companion will allow you to go the mounted route.
But honestly, if you want to be a cavalry-man first and foremost, it's going to be difficult to be a full spellcaster. Not every character can do everything. Having weaknesses is part of roleplaying, and it's also part of party balance.
Except the Druid can BECOME the mount in a pinch. Either one works pretty well. It all comes down to if you want metal armor or the ability to turn into an octopus.
You speak of this like its a choice.
You speak of this like its a choice.
Except the Druid can BECOME the mount in a pinch. Either one works pretty well. It all comes down to if you want metal armor or the ability to turn into an octopus.
Okay admittedly wearing +5 Red Dragonhide Full Plate Armor is pretty darn metal, but you know what I meant.
I had to smile at the overpowered thought. My characters are generally anything but. I just didn't think the divine spell list had many options except buffing and de-buffing.
My favorite type of spells is the area of effect spells e.g sleet storm.
As for combat, ideally i would want mounted archery, but its too feat intensive.
i assume to have area of effect spells, I should avoid divine and go with the druidic? Sorry my book has been borrowed for the next few days.
A druid mounted on an animal companion can be fun. Druids CAN be blasters, too. Their spell list is very versatile, they get plenty of skill points, and their class abilities are also very versatile. And animal companions can be pretty diesel.
As a human, you can get Mounted Combat and Ride-by Attack at 1st level, Spirited Charge at 3rd, Natural Spell at 5th (lets you cast while wildshaped), and by 7th level, you can get some additional mounted combat feats like Mounted Archery, Trample or Unseat, or begin to focus on spellcasting, with Spell Penetration, Empower Spell, Craft Wondrous Item, etc. etc.
It might (MIGHT) be worth taking a 1 level dip into fighter, or maybe barbarian, ranger, or cavalier, to get martial weapon proficiency so you can use a lance.
Flame Blade is a great 2nd level druid spell. 1d8 + 1/2 druid level damage, crits on 18-20, and is a TOUCH spell with a duration of minutes. Combined with Ride-by attack, you'll almost be guaranteed to hit each round and not get hit back.
Produce Flame is a fun ranged touch spell that can be fun on horseback.
I just feel a character is naked without some spells. And this adventure opens itself to mounted characters, which allows me to try playing the "Hun" that I always wanted to try.
My favorite class to date is the bard, but I wanted to try something with more spells.
I just feel a character is naked without some spells. And this adventure opens itself to mounted characters, which allows me to try playing the "Hun" that I always wanted to try.
My favorite class to date is the bard, but I wanted to try something with more spells.
BARBARIAN AM GREATEST MOUNTED COMBATANT. AM RIDE DIRE BAT, AM SUNDER SPELLS, AM SUNDER CASTYS, AM SUNDER ALL.
AM BEST CLASS. ALL ELSE NEED NOT APPLY. SPELLS AM FOR WEENIES.
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I just feel a character is naked without some spells. And this adventure opens itself to mounted characters, which allows me to try playing the "Hun" that I always wanted to try.
My favorite class to date is the bard, but I wanted to try something with more spells.BARBARIAN AM GREATEST MOUNTED COMBATANT. AM RIDE DIRE BAT, AM SUNDER SPELLS, AM SUNDER CASTYS, AM SUNDER ALL.
AM BEST CLASS. ALL ELSE NEED NOT APPLY. SPELLS AM FOR WEENIES.
Actually, I've seen a pretty kickin' Mounted Barbarian build. This thing was death on a Tiger. Aroden forbid the mount could fly, as per Dire Bat. AM BARBARIAN may just be on to something. Ragelancepounce is definitely a mightyfine tactic.
Barring Barbarian, Magus is a fantastic idea. You could do some serious damage with a mounted Magus.
In 3.5, I played a Barbarian 4/Fighter 2 with Spring Attack and Power Attack and Cleave--then I discovered the glory that is mounted combat. Especially on a heavy warhorse. Unfortunately, s/he didn't get to level up high enough to get any mounted combat feats...s/he died in a trap while exploring on his/her own when s/he should have been letting the cleric heal him/her.
(He was cursed with a girdle of gender bending, so s/he wore lots of bulky sweaters and rubbed ashes on his/her cheeks for "stubble.")
Barring Barbarian, Magus is a fantastic idea. You could do some serious damage with a mounted Magus.
Would a Magus using Words of Power be able to essentially use any spell with the "Selected" target word, with, say, a Ride-by attack / Charge? (Basically using the spell it as a melee touch attack)
I was thinking Inquisitor with the animal domain for the mount might be an option also but no full-cast progression (which to be honest is no great loss if the Calvary/Mounted aspect is the most important, right now the cavalry aspect seems "tacked on")Especially when being a tiny bird casting spells from 400+ ft away with max stealth as a druid arguably is the "safest" way to go if you want mobile spell casting. Going to 3/4 BAB 3/4 caster opens up: alchemist bard magus and inquisitor as options. which may get closer to what you seem to be looking for.
Dervish Dance bard has movement speed rivaled only by the monk and pounce-ish type options allowing for full attacks while moving an inbuilt haste effect that increases as you level as an example nothing like having a 65' movement so that you are faster than the mounts on the field of battle.
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While they can't cast the spell while charging, they could cast the spell, and on the following round they could charge. Most of what I would do as a mounted Magus would be Area of Effect to soften targets up, and then charge through with a lance/ what have you to finish things off. On the other hand, an intensified shocking grasp through a lance might be fun, too.
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Druid magic is better at low levels and better at high levels at battlefield control. A lot of their spells are either excellent buffs (especially for themselves / animal companion) or have an effect even if opponents make their save. They can even standard-action summon if you take one of the "limiting" subtypes (which aren't terribly limiting). This let's you concentrate on physical stats and get away with a 14ish wisdom.
Between they and their animal companion they even outdo melees in damage. After the summoner they are the most powerful class, and the absolute best full caster melee machine.
Good utility / range spells too; and you can pick the feather domain (forego animal companion till 4 and lose a feat to boon companion at 5) and eventually get your companion and even more spellcasting.
Except the Druid can BECOME the mount in a pinch.
Which one is the druid and which the AC?
In our Kingmaker campaign, I'm playing a dwarven bear shaman. I suggested we start making bear cavalry, everyone at the table nodded their heads, saying bears would make cool mounts. That's when I had to pull out that picture to correct them.
Consider Summoner if you're willing to only have 6 levels of spells. Though, to be fair, some of their 6th level spells are much higher spells for full casters.