So my younger brother's making a Beast Rider Cavalier to level 15 for a one off game since my main game's stalled out for the holidays. He's decided on a T-rex for his mount and while I wanna help, I'm unfamiliar with the companion rules(especially since at first I thought he was getting the full sized monster from the beastiary).
To that end, I could use some help making sure this is all correct as well as any suggestions for his build. I think he wants his T-rex fighting along side him given his feats.
So the Build:
Tyrannosaurus Level 15
HP: 78(12d8 + 24)
Size Large, Speed 30 ft.
AC 38, Touch 15, Flatfooted 33(6 Armor, 17 natural armor, 5 Dex)
Fort +10, Ref + 10, Will +6
Attacks
Bite +18/+13(2d6 + 18 plus grab)
Special Qualities low-light vision, scent, link, evasion, improved evasion, devotion, multi-attack
Ability Scores
Str 28, Dex 20, Con 14, Int 3, Wis 15, Cha 10
Skills(12 ranks)
+15 Perception(10), +3 Survival(1), -2 Linguistics(1)
Animal Tricks: All of them
Feats(6)
(B)Endurance
1 Combat Reflexes
2 Power Attack
5 Imp. Overrun
8 Greater Overrun
10 Charge Through
13 Armor Proficiency (Light)
Questions:
1) How do his feats look? I think he took most of these off the Cavalier guide.
2) So far he's spent 16,800 gp on the Barding for Mithral Breastplate(4 x 4200). Could he put on magical gear too? The cavalier guide suggests yes but I imagine the T-rex wouln't have the body slots most creatures could have. On the other hand I think it could have: Neck, Rings, and a Belt Slot. Any others I'm missing? I know he wants to put on the magic horse shoes too, but it doesn't have such feet and I don't think boots would fit either...
3) Also, both he and I are confused on how tricks are handled. Unless I'm misreaing, his mount is automatically Combat Trained so it comes with: attack, come, defend, down, guard, and heel. And then he gets his 6 atop of that... Fetch, Perform, Seek, Stay, Track, Work. That means he knows all of them. Yet he gets another the next level when there aren't any left? I'm confused.
4) T-rex's apparently get a +8 Racial mod to perception(so I guess staying still won't work). Does this racial extend to T-rex companions?
5) Finally, a creature with 3 int can put a rank into any skill. He put a rank into linguisics. The T-rex then learns a new language yes? I think he's terribly bemused at the possibility of riding a talking, war trained T-Rex into combat.
no need for armor prof as long as you have no ACP.
You cannot wear mithral breastplate without medium armor prof. so that feat doesnt actually do anything for you.
Yes, the T-Rex can use magic gear.
3) get his int to 3 - he will be able to understand language then.
4) no
5) see 3. But he cannot speak.
no need for armor prof as long as you have no ACP.
You cannot wear mithral breastplate without medium armor prof. so that feat doesnt actually do anything for you.
Ah, good catch. So then does he need another proficiency feat or should he aim for mithral light armor with no ACP instead?
3) get his int to 3 - he will be able to understand language then.
...
5) see 3. But he cannot speak.
So wait, after 3 Int, it's pointless to have tricks? I'm okay with that since it makes it one less thing to track.
Also, looking at the animal type, once it has 3 int; is it no longer an animal but instead a Magical Creature for it's typing? If so, could it talk?
| 2 people marked this as a favorite. |
Can't talk unless it has vocal cords or if a Druid casts awaken on it....I think.
Oh one thing though, the Rex may not be able to speak per se, but it CAN READ, Comprehend, and WRITE in that language. Now getting it paper and a writing utensil it could use might be an issue.
Haha, well then perhaps he should pay for the spell casting service to get it awakened. Or buy a really big pencil XD
Also, been thinking about the armor situation and do you multiply the enchantment cost too? I would think it's intened just to multiply against the base cost of the armor. But if it does, the x4 barding cost is insane and Medium Armor is completely out of cost range. If it doesn't, then another 6K of enhancments thrown at the armor to get comforting and reduce it's ACP isn't a terrible thought.
RPG Superstar 2015 Top 32
|
"The mount is always considered combat trained and begins play with Light Armor Proficiency as a bonus feat."
He's got an extra feat to play with. Might I suggest Improved Natural Attack (Bite)?
And no, the x4 cost only applies to the cost of the armor. The enchantments cost the same regardless of the size.
Dot.
"The mount is always considered combat trained and begins play with Light Armor Proficiency as a bonus feat."
He's got an extra feat to play with. Might I suggest Improved Natural Attack (Bite)?
But he is a Beast Rider... thus the mount gets endurance instead. Or at least that's what I thought.
And no, the x4 cost only applies to the cost of the armor. The enchantments cost the same regardless of the size.
Good. Then +1 Mithral Comfort Armor it is.
Got another question for you fine folks. I just read the mounted combat rules(I had only skimmed them before), and am unclear on the role the mount plays in combat. I see it "takes initiative on it's rider's turn", so the mount basically gets a whole turn and the rider does too? That's pretty powerful for a Beast Rider. Then on its charge, does its rider gets an attack too? Cause it sounds like it, and if I'm reading this right. Wowza.
The rider has to use a move action to have the mount go where he wants it to be, so he can still use a standard attack.
One exception is ranged combat. The rider can take a full attack while riding but does get a penalty to hit depending on how fast the mount moves.
why a move action to move the mount? cant he still command it as a free action as per the animal companion rules? handle animal is a free action, does that not apply when riding it?
I think I mixed something up.
The move action only applies when riding a not combat trained, frightened mount.
Sorry for that.
Mounts in Combat
Horses, ponies, and riding dogs can serve readily as combat steeds. Mounts that do not possess combat training (see the Handle Animal skill) are frightened by combat. If you don't dismount, you must make a DC 20 Ride check each round as a move action to control such a mount. If you succeed, you can perform a standard action after the move action. If you fail, the move action becomes a full-round action, and you can't do anything else until your next turn.
Normally it really is a free action.
Combat while Mounted
With a DC 5 Ride check, you can guide your mount with your knees so as to use both hands to attack or defend yourself. This is a free action.
Problem is going to be that the dino will spend exactly 100% of its time hungry. Feed kind of won't do it, you know? May I suggest several bags of holding full of carcasses? T Rex was a carrion eater, so freshness or lack thereof shouldn't matter.
Ranger Beast Master 1
CG Human
Intiative: 2
------------
Defense
------------
AC: 16, Touch: 12, Flat-Footed: 14
HP: 12
Fort: 3, Ref: 4, Will: 4 (6 vs Charm and Compulsion)
------------
Offense
------------
Speed 30ft
Melee: Earthbreaker: +5, 2d6+6 x3
+7, 2d6+8 x3 (favoured enemy)
With Power Attack:
Earthbreaker: +4, 2d6+9 x3
+6, 2d6+11 x3 (favoured enemy)
Ranged: Composite Longbow: +3, 1d8 x3
+5, 1d8+2 x3 (favoured enemy)
------------
Stats
------------
Str 18, Dex 14, Con 12, Wis 14, Int 8, Cha 10
BAB 1, CMB 5 (7 FE), CMD 18 (20 FE)
Feats Iron Will, Power Attack
Traits Birthmark
Racial Heart of the Wilderness
Skills[ Handle Animal 4 (6 handling own animal), Intimidate 4, Perception 6 (10 favoured enemy and terrain), Ride 6, Survival 6 (10 favoured enemy and terrain, +1 when tracking)
Languages Common
Gear Chain Shirt, Earth Breaker, Composite Longbow, 40 Arrows (provided I can afford it all)
------------
Class
------------
Favoured Enemy
Track
Wild Empathy (+2 Beast Master)
Later Abilities
Animal Companion Roc and T-Rex, with possible Stampede of Aurochs.
Apollo will ride his T-Rex into battle, attacking while mounted, unless he needs to flank, in which case he gets off and both he and his T-Rex charge side by side, towards the enemy to flank them!
Spells: Lead Blades, Gravity Bow
Concept:
This guy takes his pride and joy from smashing opponents heads in, intimidating others who are hostile and intimidating towards him (just to see how they like it) and switches to Archery if an opponent thinks it can outrun or fly away from him. Apollo particularly likes collecting arrows of all kinds, as he never knows when he might need an Ogre Bane or Holy Arrow.
Hobbies: Scouting, Dino-Riding, making friends, drinking and bashing unfriendly skulls in.
Attitude towards friend: Cocky, funny, friendly
Attitude towards foe: Cocky, sarcastic, annoying
Favoured Terrain:
Forest, Plains, Mountains
Favoured Enemy:
Human
Monstrous Humanoid
Magical Beast
Add Spell:
Abundant Ammunition for infinite Arrow replacements until the spell ends. Named Bullet for a critical hit within 30ft.
Make Holy, Keen (Composite Longbow), Human Bane Weapons.
Combat Style: Archery
Precise Shot (level 2)
Improved Precise Shot (level 10)
Manyshot (level 14)
Add three levels Two-Handed Fighter.
This gets rid of one of my Favoured Enemies, but gives me more damage for one melee attack in a round, as well as three extra feats to play about with.
Feats:
Ranger Level 1 (Power Attack, Iron Will)
Ranger Level 2 (Precise Shot)
Ranger Level 3 (Favoured Defense)
Fighter Level 4 (Point-Blank Shot)
Ranger Level 5 (Boon Companion)
Ranger Level 6
Ranger Level 7 (Rapid Shot)
Ranger Level 8
Fighter Level 9 (Clustered Shots and Critical Focus)
Ranger Level 10
Ranger Level 11 (Mounted Combat)
Ranger Level 12 (Manyshot)
Ranger Level 13 (Mounted Archery)
Ranger Level 14
Fighter Level 15 (Deadly Aim)
Ranger Level 16
Ranger Level 17 (Improved Precise Shot) +1 Feat
Gear:
100 Arrows = 15lb's
Chain Shirt = 25lb's
Earth Breaker = 14lb's
Composite Longbow = 3lb's
= 57lb's
Also grab: Rations, Waterskin, Rope, Flint and Steel, Canvas.
Apollo Level 1:
Favoured Enemy - Humanoid (Human) = +2 Attack and Damage
Track - 1 for level + 6 Survival = 7
Wild Empathy - 1 (no Charisma Bonus) = 1
Possible Damage Output by end game:
From Hammer:
15 + 39 +
3d6=18
str large = +6 mod
damage is +12 from two handed fighter
Favoured Enemy = +6
Power Attack = 15
18+12+6+15=51
+5 weapon = 56
+2d6 bane weapon = 68
+2d6 holy = 80 damage per attack
This might give you some idea on what you can do. :p
THanks Bandavaar, I'll give it a look over. Though I can tell things are gonna be be different already since the cavalier's building into charges, it's still appreciated.
Problem is going to be that the dino will spend exactly 100% of its time hungry. Feed kind of won't do it, you know? May I suggest several bags of holding full of carcasses? T Rex was a carrion eater, so freshness or lack thereof shouldn't matter.
Isn't there some sort of un-ending supply of food bad? Cause otherwise a simple sustaining spoon should do the job, even if it doesn't like gruel very much.
You can still equip the mithril breastplate because you just need medium armor proficiency to not take the armor check penalty to attacks. Mithral breastplate doesn't have an armor ceck penalty so it is a moot point.
But doesn't normal Breastplate have a -4 ACP? Then when mithral, it reduces it by 3 to -1? That's why I was looking at comforting armor, since it reduces its ACP another increment.
But doesn't normal Breastplate have a -4 ACP? Then when mithral, it reduces it by 3 to -1? That's why I was looking at comforting armor, since it reduces its ACP another increment.
yes, you are correct, but being able to add 7 to your AC's ac (har har) with just the cost of a comfort +1 mithril breastplace is pretty nice. like buying 2 feats.
| 1 person marked this as a favorite. |
Problem is going to be that the dino will spend exactly 100% of its time hungry. Feed kind of won't do it, you know? May I suggest several bags of holding full of carcasses? T Rex was a carrion eater, so freshness or lack thereof shouldn't matter.
Tyrannosaurus Rex was thought by some to have been a carrion eater. In pathfinder they are apex predators. I shall now add an exclamation point!
And @Darth Grall! Shame on you for suggesting that a T. rex should live on gruel! Feed your horses some steak and see how happy they are trying to digest it and get all the nutrients they need! Poor little T. rex, you'll give it anemia and hepatic lipidosis. You could even make the poor guy go blind from lack of taurine! For shame! I'm considering reporting you to the PSPCA*! :P
Pippi,
for the ethical treatment of theropods.
*Pathfinder Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals
i require that it be given an ioun stone capable of storing scorching rays (lasers! pew pew!)
My childhood demands that this T-Rex be outfitted in T-Rex fitted full plate.
I would, but it's too feat heavy for my brother's taste. Plus, he'd move slower than most other mounts; even with a spur check.
And @Darth Grall! Shame on you for suggesting that a T. rex should live on gruel! Feed your horses some steak and see how happy they are trying to digest it and get all the nutrients they need! Poor little T. rex, you'll give it anemia and hepatic lipidosis. You could even make the poor guy go blind from lack of taurine! For shame! I'm considering reporting you to the PSPCA*! :P
Pippi,
for the ethical treatment of theropods.*Pathfinder Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals
Oh, that's even better! Then I can put "horse blinds" and have it take blind-fight instead of armor proficiency... The blind, sickly, talking & armored T-rex. :D
yes, you are correct, but being able to add 7 to your AC's ac (har har) with just the cost of a comfort +1 mithril breastplace is pretty nice. like buying 2 feats.
Agreed, small price to pay really.
And as for the Ioun stone; that would be great but... Not worth paying for the cost of paying a guy to charge it every encounter. He's going full cavalier levels so no casting power.
Oh, that's even better! Then I can put "horse blinds" and have it take blind-fight instead of armor proficiency... The blind, sickly, talking & armored T-rex. :D
I can't even believe how much trouble you're in, now! There are 7 level 18 lawyers who have taken every "Cease and Desist" feat available, coming your way. :P
But now I want an Allosaurus to ride around on. :(
I can't even believe how much trouble you're in, now! There are 7 level 18 lawyers who have taken every "Cease and Desist" feat available, coming your way. :P
But now I want an Allosaurus to ride around on. :(
It's okay, lawyers are still non-heroic classes; And I have Antagonize. I'm pretty sure that if they attack me on open court they throw out the case.
And I didn't even think that an Allosaurus was an option lol. More power to you.
Anyways, posting his feats too from his Cavalier. Apparently he plans to do mounted combat, then sword & board co-op against foes on the ground. Don't know how effective he'll be, since it looks like he's trying to do 3 things, so any input helps. He's also Order of the Sword Btw.
H Mounted Combat
1 Ride by Attack
C2 Percise Strike
3 Weapon Focus(longsword)
5 Trample
C6 Shield Focus
7 Power Attack
O8 Spirited Charge
9 Furious Focus
C10 Outflank
11 Endurance
C12 Mounted Shield
13 Toughness
15 Diehard
I myself are building (or rather thinking about how to build) a Cavalier 4/ roughrider fighter 5/ Mammoth rider 1 rest undecided.
With the horsemaster feat I always have a maxed mount and the roughrider gives some nice bonuses to his mount instead of having the mount ability so they stack.
Why am I telling you this?
Because one of the benefits is to ignore movement reduction by armor (first medium, later heavy).
Armored T-Rex Mount?
Yes, please.
WITH LASERS!
Mithral Celestial Plate Armor.
Adding the Mithril removes the armor check penalty and makes it count as light when calculating encumbrance. And now he's a FLYING T-REX in FULL PLATE!!!
Not bad for 34,000g.
That's... Not bad at all. I'll run it by my player and see if he's got the gp/desire.
If he was an asimar, he could take the feat that gives your animal companion the celestial template. But you would be required to name the T-Rex Lord Goodfang.
I'm fairly sure that the second you awaken the T-Rex, it stop being an animal companion and loses all benefits gained from being one.
Haha, yeah... But he went human cause his dump stat is INT and needed the skill points. Also, dinotopians were human and that's part of the drive for this character methinks.
Yeah, read that bit, and it can't be used on creatures with 3 int or higher(which the Trex has).
I'm pretty sure he's already a Magical Creature on account of the int, or at least a very special exception to the rules of animals. So I don't see why it wouldn't be able to talk if it garners a language through a skill like linguistics. They have no inherent capacity for language; that doesn't mean they can't learn to speak at all imo. Just it's only under specific circumstances.
Edited for clarity.