So the rules state that Druids and Rangers can direct an animal companion as a free action. It also says that an Oracle's (and a cleric with the Animal Domain) bonded mount behaves like a druid's animal companion, only it has a minimum intelligence of 6. But an oracle is not a druid or ranger...
Normally, if you're not a druid or ranger handling animal is a move action. Should my oracle have to use a move action to get his mount to do stuff?
Because right now it seems like a character can direct a mount with his legs as a free action, have his mount act anytime in their turn and still be able to do a full attack or move action and standard from the back of a fast moving, attacking and tripping wolf. Am I missing something here in the mounted combat and animal companion. It just seems broken to me.
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"It also says that an Oracle's (and a cleric with the Animal Domain) bonded mount behaves like a druid's animal companion, only it has a minimum intelligence of 6."
The oracle (or cleric with Animal Domain) is treated as a druid in all respects. The only difference is that the Oracle's companion has a starting intelligence of 6.
This is sort of like a few other class features that are described as similar to a separate class's. For example, the druid who takes a domain as their Nature Bond rather than an animal companion is treated as a cleric in all regards to that domain.
So as a free action they just get to tell the thing what to do and suddenly the 20' movement oracle (or druid or whatever) has a move of 50' and an extra attack? They can just ride as a free action (dc 5 ride check)?
If a oracle is mounted, they can control (via handle animal) as a free action, and can guide a mount from the saddle as a free action with a dc 5 ride check (via ride). So essentially, they can do a full action themselves and command a wolf (or whatever) to do a full round action without it costing them anything as far as actions.
And this is the cost of one oracle mystery? Am I the only one that sees this as broken?
I think it's just that mounted combat and animal companions seems breaky to me.
PCs normally get a move and a standard. Usually a move of 20'-30'.
Druids, and rangers direct animal for free. Animal moves 50' and attacks, no penalty of action for the rider. Then the PC gets to take their whole action. Anyone who's rode an animal or tried to get an actual animal to do anything knows this is crazy.
But I guess I'll just sick some ranger orcs on worgs on my party.
True. I've just had one of my players really fighting my initial ruling on this and I've grown frustrated.
And it's not a mystery, but rather one of the revelations. I think of these on par with a rogue talent or witch hex. This particular set of rules just seems way out powered. I don't think the oracle single revelation should be exactly as powerful as the druid's animal companion in every way. Especially if for the druid, the animal companion feature is as powerful as a domain.
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A revelation is still quite an investment. Imagine it as an improved familiar. It is as smart as one, so you see the similarities. You may be reading too far into the power problem, and I have yet to see an animal companion cause a power problem. Let it ride a while, if there actually is a power issue, then just talk with the player, outside of session.
Animal moves 50' and attacks, no penalty of action for the rider. Then the PC gets to take their whole action. Anyone who's rode an animal or tried to get an actual animal to do anything knows this is crazy.
That's why there's a concentration check for riding on a mount. Vigorous Motion DC 10+Spell Level.
Also, if the mount moves more than 5 feet, you can't full attack (melee) and ranged weapons take -4 penalty (halved with 2 feats).
You're aware players can just buy a horse, right? 110 gold for a combat trained light horse. (45 gp for a CT pony!) Same DC 5 ride check to guide with knees.
Animal moves 50' and attacks, no penalty of action for the rider. Then the PC gets to take their whole action. Anyone who's rode an animal or tried to get an actual animal to do anything knows this is crazy.That's why there's a concentration check for riding on a mount. Vigorous Motion DC 10+Spell Level.
Also, if the mount moves more than 5 feet, you can't full attack (melee) and ranged weapons take -4 penalty (halved with 2 feats).
You're aware players can just buy a horse, right? 110 gold for a combat trained light horse. (45 gp for a CT pony!) Same DC 5 ride check to guide with knees.
Just a note, the -4 penalty to ranged attacks only applies when the mount takes a double move. If the mount uses the run action and you want to use your ranged attacks, you take a -8 penalty.
If the mount does not make a double move or run action, you take no penalty to ranged attacks. Unless there are some rules not in the section with the rest of the rules about mounted ranged combat.
Just a note, the -4 penalty to ranged attacks only applies when the mount takes a double move. If the mount uses the run action and you want to use your ranged attacks, you take a -8 penalty.
If the mount does not make a double move or run action, you take no penalty to ranged attacks.
Whoops, good catch.
"When you attack a creature smaller than your mount that is on foot, you get the +1 bonus on melee attacks for being on higher ground. If your mount moves more than 5 feet, you can only make a single melee attack. Essentially, you have to wait until the mount gets to your enemy before attacking, so you can't make a full attack. Even at your mount's full speed, you don't take any penalty on melee attacks while mounted."
would you interpret that to mean that if a mount moves more than 5 feet a character only gets a standard action?
No. It says melee attack. It's the section about fighting on horseback, not doing anything on horseback.