Hello all. My first post in this forum, so forgive me if this is not the right place to ask it. Also, please forgive any grammatical mistake, English isn't my main language.
Here is what, I found the every player dream table. Experienced GM, five players (so full party), meetings regularly twice a week minimum. The sort of thing you found once in a lifetime, so we decided that we'd get serious and play chars from level 1 to epic, really growing attached to the char. We'll use medium EXP progression. As this is very important to me (a real campaign that will last generations?) I'd like help and advice with the class I've choose: The Cavalier.
I've played a single Cavalier before, without any thoughts about it. It was a halfling with mithral full plate, dex 16 and shield. Little tank, with the shield order, I had a lot of fun, it was really funny how everything kept trying to hit it, but missed. The damage was poor however, but we had other melees in that time, so I got the tank/support role. This time, however, I want to hit, and hit hard. I want something that is great out of a mount and overpowered with one. Can you please help me?
The material: We'll be able to use the Core Rulebook, the Advanced Player's Guide, the Ultimate Magic and the Ultimate Combat. Other books, magazines and etc will not be allowed.
Exception and House Rule: Hellknights are allowed (apparently they'll show up in the campaign at some point, introduced by the DM himself) and NO RACIAL TRAITS. Why not? The DM dislike them... and particularly I never used them myself, but the guy who'll play the rogue got maaaaaad. Also, alignments free, so we can be evil, neutral or good (most will be good though).
The party: We'll have an elf rogue (who may or may not get some levels as shadowdancer), a dwarf healer (who'll have some combat prowess, but not much, he will focus more in buff and healing), my beautiful girlfriend as a half-elf sorcerer (she has been playing RPG for many years now, but no doubt she'll be a blaster), me, as Cavalier, and the other is still unsure about what he'll play. He asked for advice for anything that would complement the party, if you could help with that would be nice too. Thanks.
My experience: I really have no deep love or hate for any particular build, archetype, class or multiclass. I wouldn't mind getting some levels as Paladin (as I assume I'll have a nice charisma to boost the Saving Throws) or Fighter (for some sweet extra feats), but I wouldn't want to outnumber the Cavalier levels, really. I like to balance well the mechanics with the flavor, but I don't see myself as a halfling riding a dinosaur. Maybe some celestial Lion...
Thank you very much for any advice given and yes, I'm reading/read the guides and comments previous posted in this and other forums, but still, don't think it harms for asking here, right?
Do you plan on being a Halfling again or is any core race available?
Also any ideas on your order (what would fit your mindset for the character)
As for general things to consider, obviously the Lance, (Reach, and does double damage with a charge on a mount), great compliment to the 3rd level feature.
If you take Mounted Combat, and if their are other Mounted characters, consider the Cavalry Formation Teamwork Feat from Tactician (This could work well with an Inquisitor, (they receive Teamwork feats as class features as well) (though I'm not 100% on the workings of teamwork feats, I believe that for most, it requires that all participants have the feat.
As for the 5th person, I think there's a lot of wiggle room for what would be useful. With a Rogue, Healer, Sorcerer, and you as a Cavalier pretty much anything that doesn't cast, open lock, heal or ride a mount could be good.
A good Idea would be maybe a Druid or Bard for support & heals, (in case the healer get's crit). Also consider something like a Ranger or more ranged based. (It also depends on the dynamic of the type of classes the others play. Is it a Two-Weapon rogue? Melee healer? What weapon is the sorcerer holding(dagger, or xbow, or mainly using cantrip for most mobs?)
Let me know what you think. There's a lot of options and all are correct.
Hardly anyone else would battle mounted besides me.
I'd go any race really, that exist in the books I mentioned. The Sorcerer will attack with crossbow (light) as long as she need, until she get wands of magic missile. The rogue is still thinking about his build, but most likely will be finesse hitter, not sure if he'll do two-weapons. The healer will go melee with a warhammer.
Hum... yeah, looks like my mount will be stronger, even if I don't choose the Beast Rider archetype. Here is a couple doubts:
What are good Teamwork feats?
Lance has reach. A large creature had "reach" of 5 ft, so is my lance. If I'm mounting, let's say, a lion, and an enemy approaches, he receives two attacks of opportunity (my large mount and my reach weapon) ?
I don't think it's in any way an optimized build, but I love the Emissary archetype: he functions pretty well in or out of the saddle, and can move at full speed in medium armor (read: mithral full plate). Apparently, Standard Bearers are good, too, but I haven't played one yet.
I also like the Order of the Star, if you wanted to split your levels into Paladin. Maybe 2-6 in Cavalier and basically all the rest into Paladin. You could also go into Holy Vindicator, if that suits you.
Be small and plan on staying mounted. Medium cavs suck because they cannot take their mounts anywhere. Wayang are the best cavaliers.
That's a lot of excelent advices everyone.
I think I found my reason of being, a Cavalier of the Shield, probably medium, probably (which means I'm thinking).
I talked to the GM and the answer wasn't good. He said "it'll be a ton of battles, but worry not about dungeons, remember harsh terrain also screw you up" So I guess he's planning to reduce my number of charges.
My friend decided he'll go melee ranger or fighter (or both) and the rogue said he will also go melee (finesse) and so will the healer (hammer and shield), so we'll be a lot of melee, the rogue, sorceress and ranger can hit at distance very well too.
I'll be taking the role of tank as well, I'm really, really liking it, but now I'm thinking about my mount, and about what feats to take, I feel there's too much I want and not enough space, also wondering what to take first, as I NEED to survive the very first levels. Advice?
I'm a big fan of the Beast Rider archetype. If you specifically want to go melee, this will allow you a little hike in the DPS department.
Beast Rider also stacks with Luring Cavalier, which can give you a ranged edge in an otherwise melee-heavy party. You'll want to be human to get Precise Shot at level 1, but you'll play a lot like a Ranger...right up until you blast targets with a ranged-friendly Challenge.
If he isn't likely to be mounted friendly go
Human Order of the shield and TWF with Shield and Scimitar.
Specialize in LOCKDOWN- Combat Ref, synergies with Protect the meek.
You get to turn lethal to non lethal in heavy armor. (Wear Breastplate+kilt)
Feats should include TWF, Imp Shieldbash, ITWF, Doubleslice, Bashing Finish, TWR
Great teamwork feats are Paired Opportunist and Broken Wing Gambit. Stay adjacent to an ally and grant each other free AOO's at +4 to hit. Your third teamwork feat should be the Teamwork Charge feat. It grants FREE charge attacks when allies move.
Use your mount as a Flank buddy (swap expert trainer for beast master and get a Lion)
Also the Honor guard and Stratagist archetype synergise really well with this.
Thank you everybody for your advices. I found a radio/record about two guys discussing the class Cavalier, I guess it was 3.5 sanctuary or something. It opened my eyes.
I'm making a beast rider, large mount, medium human character. The focus is not the charge. It is the Pushing Assault + Lance (reach weapon) + Lunge + Steam the Tide (Shield Order level 8). Basicly I keep my foes AWAY, 15 feet away from all my allies.
with the right feats, even though I attack only once (so I have the Vital Strike combo AND the mounted combat combo of feats) it effectivelly protect any melee from attacking anyone in the party, unless ranged.
Exactly as I dreamed. Awesome without a mount, overpowered in a mount. I'll be using Mithral Breastplate and so will my mount. As I got this more defensive, strategic role, the fifth guy will be fighter/barbarian half-orc.
So, our party will have a human, an elf, a half elf, a half orc and a dwarf. What are the odds, right? The barbarian guy will have skills points in Survival, the rogue elf will have gather information and knowledge (local) and perception, the dwarf healer will have sense motive, heal and perception, i will have climb, ride, diplomacy, the sorc will have bluff, knowledge arcana and spellcraft. We have a great party, both in and out of combat. We'll start today. Again, thanks all.