Good evening,
I am playing a Cleric with the Crusader Archetype and the Animal Domain with the Feather sub-domain.
Historically I always played Mages, or Fighter/Mages, but this particular party had both need of a healer and a tank, so I went with straight Cleric.
I have set her up as a Sword & Board combat type, who is currently running rings around everyone else in the party damage wise (2 summoners, a ranger and a rogue), and going forward I'd like to move into mounted combat.
I intend to pick a Tiger as my animal companion at 4th level, who'll be big enough to ride at 7th. I don't expect to beat them all over the long term, I'd just like to remain combat viable (and the idea sounds neat).
My question is this:
What is the best class to dip into for mounted combat without COMPLETELY nerfing my Cleric casting ability?
Since I am on the hook to be main healer I can't really afford to go more than 1-2 levels into another class even though I have Magical Knack, unless there is a HUGE payoff. Also I intend to keep fighting with my Falcata and shield while mounted, but I'm open to change if need be.
I was thinking Barbarian, but I don't think I can go deep enough to earn the mounted rage abilities. Rangers or Cavalier might work, or I can always wait for Leadership and take a Sythesist Summoner, right? ;)
In case you need to know, my stats as a lvl 2 Oread Cleric are:
18 Str
12 INT
16 Con
15 Chr
15 Dex
20 Wis
I worship a unique Deity (The Midnight Sun)which gave me the domain and exotic weapon proficiency.
My (current) planned feat progression is:
FEATS
1 Two-Weapon Fighting
1 Crusader Bonus: Improved Shield Bash
3 Boon Companion (at 4 when the Companion arrives)
5 Power Attack
6 Crusader bonus (?)
7 Mounted Combat (when the Tiger will be big enough to ride)
9 Leadership
Thank you all, I appreciate any pointers you can give.
You'll want spirited charge and quick draw, and absolutely nothing beats charging with a lance. I'd go with either cavalier or fighter (which would give you the bonus feat and heavy armor and weapon profs). Charge with a lance, deal crazy damage, drop said lance as a free action, lay waste with the sword and board.
I know we spent thousands of posts discussing rage/lance/pounce, but the consensus was if riding a mount that can pounce (the tiger), the mount gets it's full attack round while I get my full attack sequence with the lance, right?
Sorry to bump this, (I promise to only do it once) but I really need to know for the sake of an upcoming game session:
If your *mount* can pounce (like riding a tiger) does it get it's full claw/claw/bite while charging AND you get your full attack sequence (or x3 damage with a lance?)
And a bonus question:
since I know the mount charges on the players initiative, does this mean ALL the attacks for both of you are determined at once, or separate initiative attack sequences?
AKA if you have an initiative of 7 and the mount has a 5, it charges on your turn but then you lance/lance/lance it, and the mount claw/claw/bites right then; *or* you lance it, someone who acted on 6 acts, then the mount?
What if the BBEG goes on 6 and tries to move, does that mean the mount loses it's attack actions?