Basically as the title says. Right now I'm in the Kingmaker campaign, and we've faced a fair amount of large monsters that often try to grab me off my mount and are usually successful due to their redonculous CMBs.
Does anyone have recommendations for items that can increase my CMD or ways I can avoid getting grabbed?
I've got an insight bonus due to an Ioun Stone, plus a decent strength, and my DM gives me a +2 in circumstances where I'm mounted (due to having a Military Saddle) but it still feels woefully inadequate since the DM can get me even on low rolls.
I'm playing Kingmaker, and I know what you mean about the abundance of oversized monsters. The party needs to have the tank's back, not just the other way around. One of my favorite combats so far, I barely engaged the enemy until half of them were dead or wounded. I charged in and mopped up, actually feeling heroic for a change, instead of like a punching bag.
Edit: BTW, my strength and dex are both pretty good, and I rage, so CMD isn't a weakpoint for me. Don't invest in too many riding feats.
id try a lance, and using your horse's speed to keep distance? charging through on horse back with a lance with reach might prevent getting grabbed, so would ranged combat from horse back (more the samurais deal tho) .. have you tried tying yourself into the saddle? hed have a hard time getting you if you were also connected to the horse via the saddle.
seriously though try dancing in and out of his range with a lance.
im assuming you have some kind of cavalier?
My dex is terrible since I wear plate and can't take advantage of anything better than a 12 dex. I have a 20 str though.
Feats for me look like this:
Mounted Combat
Ride-By-Attack
Spirited Charge
Power Attack
Horse Master (Needed to multiclass)
Leadership
I'm actually the off-tank though, since I need to remain mobile to take advantage of charging. The Paladin is the main tank, since the Ranger and the Witch need something to stand between them and the enemies.
Also, yes I am using a Lance, but a lot of what we are fighting with high CMBs have reach so the DM just readies for when I attack to grapple.
huh, so.... how do they snag you in mid charge? are you guys using a battle map? Most of the time your turn shouldn't end too easily with the reach of a monster, unless they are really fast and running around after you??
What is your level? What is your second class?
cant the witch use some hexes that would drop the grappling chances of the big ole oafs?
what about having a spell cast on you like fire shield? that would teach them to grab ya!
They have reach, so that means I have to move into their threatened range to attack and the DM has grapples readied. I attack and then he initiates a grapple when I get close enough. It's not a matter of him catching me, that's impossible with a 100ft movement speed.
My level is atm 7, my second class is Battle Herald.
Also, I don't know if Fireshield is a witch spell, I don't think the DM would care though, since the damage is worth it if he dismounts me.
fire shield cannot be cast on others. the target is 'you'
a 4th level spell 'freedom of movement' would stop all grapples on you, if you can find an item or have someone cast it on you. it isnt a witch spell though. wand is possible but very expensive if anyone has a good UMD. ring of it is 40k gold but no one could grapple you ever then.
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sounds like the DM is one hit wondering you if everything big has a grapple ready, he's effectively canceling out your characters usefulness.
Try a new tactic, if the monster is holding actions, hold your own, stay out of his range, if you are a battle herald use herald abilities as actions.
essentially make sure you stay out of range, hold your action until end of turn, if large enemy is holding action and staring at you, then use a bardic performance, if the enemy has attacked someone else, they dont have an action to grapple you with (in game their attention is elsewhere) set yourself up for a flank and nail them with a charge.
In other words dont be predictable.
If you end up wasting actions, the big guy will waste his actions as well while the two of your just stare at each other. Let the rest of the party mow him down. He will likely start attacking them, at which time you can charge him because he has not held actions.
it's unfortunate you cannot ready a charge, that would solve the issue too.
(although you could charge things that are attacking your paladin, they obviously arent readying actions)
Thanks for the advice. It just feels a little annoying to not be getting to do anything while the Ranger gets to pincushion the enemy.
if it's happening that often, get yourself a ring of freedom of movement. Cant be grappled or tied up at all while your wearing it =).
Asta
PSY
Yea, the GM is making the encounter challenging. The monster shouldn't let you charge in on him like a blithering idiot. Like what has been said before, hold back and wait for or create an opportunity.
Even a simple blur will give you a 20% chance of not being grappled they have to overcome every round, use your inspired tactics ability, fight defensively, get the dodge feat, if they are readying attacks against you your party mates are free to do what they want, just keep standing there. Heck intimidate them instead.
everybody save to buy a ring of freedom of movement
in our kingmaker, which we finished, the fighter / rogue ran around very mobile with a ROFM, occassionally gettting an attack in, while the bard and Inquisitor shot the place up. Very frustrating but archers for the win in KM
it's unfortunate you cannot ready a charge, that would solve the issue too.
(although you could charge things that are attacking your paladin, they obviously arent readying actions)
Actually you can. The feat Rhino Charge.
Your charges are both violent and unpredictable.
Prerequisites: Power Attack, Improved Bull Rush, base attack bonus +5.
Benefit: You may ready a charge, though you may only move up to your speed on the charge.
Normal: Charging is a full-round action and allows you to move twice your speed.
Well you can if you access to Pathfinder Companion: Sargava, the Lost Colony. I just realized it is not core :P
But as stated, mix up your tactics a bit. See monster 1, charge. See monster 2, charge. See monster 3, charge. Is not very versatile, and as you found out, has its counters. That being said, if the combat is just a single big monster and you can tie it up completely by just sitting there doing nothing, Good job! If combat is consisted of multiple monsters, then you possibly have the option to charge different targets, and again, if you can tie up multiple targets by just sitting there, that is a great tank and you put the paly to shame!