So there is much ado about ACs but not many questions about pets.
My Paladin has stumbled upon a Bulette that was already combat trained and saddle ready. He took some time (a few months) to retrain it to himself as the rider but up until now has preferred his Bounded Mount.
Sadly the mount was struck with Insanity and we have no way to remove it yet so in the meantime, Paladin will be riding this Bulette.
For pets/non-AC animals... the regular riding rules still apply right? I just don't get the + for it being an AC.
What if I am unmounted? I use the Handle Animal skill (in this case with a +5 to DC due to being a beast with 2 int)to get it to act how I want?
Does it have a natural tendency to keep attacking after the first order? I'd guess closest being? No regards to ally or not?
Sadly, I do have a halfling in my party so I need to keep an eye on what this thing is doing as per fluff, they prize halfling flesh above most else...
Anything else I should know/watch out for?
If it is a "pet" rather than an animal companion or similar companion creature, than it takes a move action to direct it with Handle Animal. That, more than anything, is the chief difference I think.
Pets are also generally less powerful since their stats are set and never scale.
I imagine most normal animals will continue to follow your last order until you give it a new one, tell it to stop (stay, down, etc.), or something happens to change its behavior (such as an aberration attacking it, it becoming seriously wounded and afraid, etc.).
Probably best to to base its behavior off of its natural tendencies with the notion that its extreme conditioning/training has mitigated it somewhat.
Well it's going to be ridden for the most part so I can direct it as a free action while riding with a Ride check.
If I get dismounted or need to dismount, then yeah that move action to command is going to start to suck.
My GM is giving me a "wild animal" Penalty of -4 to ride/handle animal but I'm still easily auto passing most checks. He also says there may be some "favorite food" control checks for having a halfling on the field....
Isn't a straight up DC 20 to get an animal to do something it isn't trained for (but is physically capable of)?
At into 2 its at least game mechanically as smart as a dog. Its probly up to your dm to decide if its a border collie or an afghan hound. But basically assume as ravingdork said its likely to continue to follow previous commands til told to stop.
If you want him to become scooby bulette out a headband of intellect on him then take leadership.