how does a NON animal companion gain proficiency with armor?


Pathfinder First Edition General Discussion


so I am not a druid, cavalier or what ever but I want my animal mount to be able to wear Light or medium Barding, Since they do not level I don't think you can give it a light armor proficiency or anything.

read somewhere on the boards that combat training gives it armor proficiency but I was unable to find it in any of the books I have or are available online.


Well, one thing to realize: the armor check penalty applied to attack rolls is the penalty for nonproficient armor use----> if ACP is 0, the penalty is zero.

That means that anyone or thing can wear leather or masterwork studded leather (or a mithral chainshirt, but as I mention later, that is a lot for just an extra +1 to AC)

There is also an armor enhancement (comfort or something?) that reduces ACP, which can open up medium armors for your animal.

Just remember: the price for barding is the price of the armor it is based on x2 for a nonhumaoid shape and x2 for a size larger than medium. I also pretty sure that it just keeps on getting another x2 multiplier to cost for every size beyond large. This is all for the price of the actual, physical armor and not for enhancements. I am also unsure if the cost of masterwork is multiplied (craft says to do masterwork like it was a separate component from the item being made)


FAQ/Errata

Does training an animal using Handle Animal to be Combat Trained grant it Light Armor Proficiency?

No, using Handle Animal to train an animal, or mount, in this way does not grant it a free bonus feat. It is not unreasonable, however to assume that an animal specifically designed to be ridden (such as a horse or dog) could be purchased with Light Armor Proficiency as one of its feats (swapping out Endurance or Skill Focus respectively) for the same cost.

The Animal Type(Bestiary) also mentions:
*Proficient with no armor unless trained for war. (See FAQs and Handle Animal Skill.)


masterwork studded leather barding

mithral chain shirt barding

mithral kiko barding.

or beg the DM to replace endurance with light armor proficiency.

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