I was reading the Cavalier Optimization Guide over in the Advice area, when I saw the link to Cody Coffelt's submission for the 2011 RPG Superstar competition. I really like the idea of the archetype, but thought of a couple modifications. I've italicized the changes I made to the original text:
Hound Master (Cavalier)
Most cavaliers charge into battle atop mighty steeds, however some lack the finesse with equines required to be proficient riders. Still wishing to serve their order, hound masters choose to fight beside war hounds which are powerful animals trained for battle. A hound master has the following class features.
War Hound (Ex): At 1st level, a hound master gains the service of a loyal war hound to aid him in battle. This hound functions as a druid’s animal companion, using the cavalier’s level as his effective druid level. The creature has the same stats as a wolf.
The war hound is always considered combat trained and begins play with Light Armor Proficiency as a bonus feat. A hound master’s hound does not gain the share spells special ability. These hounds are not suitable for riding and cannot be trained to carry riders.
A hound master’s bond is strong and if the war hound dies, the cavalier may find another hound to serve him after 1 week of mourning. This new hound does not gain the link, evasion, devotion, or improved evasion special abilities until the next time the cavalier gains a level. This ability replaces mount.
Pack Tactics (Ex): At 3rd level, a hound master learns greater coordination with his war hound. When a hound master and his hound are flanking the same creature, the hound master’s flanking bonus on attack rolls increases to +4. This ability replaces cavalier’s charge.
Expert Handler (Ex): Upon reaching 4th level, the hound master may take on a second war hound; while smaller and weaker than his primary hound, it is still a useful ally. This ability functions like the war hound ability, except that the hound master's effective druid level is equal to his cavalier level – 3. In addition, this ability allows the war hounds to choose from teamwork feats when selecting feats gained from additional Hit Dice.
Alternatively, the hound master may choose to take on a mount, as a more traditional cavalier. However, the hound master’s effective druid level is still equal to his cavalier level – 3 when determining the mount’s abilities. This ability replaces expert trainer.
Go For the Throat (Ex): At 11th level, a hound master has perfected fighting beside his animals. Whenever an opponent is tripped or overrun by the hound master or one of his war hounds, the opponent provokes an attack of opportunity from the hound(s) or the hound master, depending on who performed the trip or overrun. The target must be threatened by both the hound master and his war hound(s). This ability replaces mighty charge.
Kill Command (Ex): At 20th level, whenever an opponent is threatened by the hound master and both of his hounds, the hound master may issue a kill command. This is a swift action that grants both hounds an attack of opportunity on the target. Any critical hits from this attack are automatically confirmed. A creature cannot be the target of this ability more than once per day. This ability replaces supreme charge.
I'm considering letting one of my pc's try this out in our next campaign (we're going to use Rise of the Runelords), but would like to know what you guys think of it 1st. I felt the capstone ability was a bit weak, which is why I added the auto-confirm on crits. I'm not totally sure about allowing a mount with Expert Handler, but I wanted to allow for more variety in the archetype (kind of picturing classic European dog hunts - oft-times the hound master's were mounted). Allowing the hound master the AoO as well seemed logical, as wolves get the trip ability anyway.
I can post to the original text if you guys would like for easier comparison. Also, I wasn't sure where to post this, so a moderator can feel free to move it if it belongs somewhere more appropriate. Looking forward to input from the Paizo community - I was just bragging about how helpful you all are for everything Pathfinder. Thanks in advance!
This is not really a rules question, but a homebrew class, so this probably isn't the right forum.
That said, I think they adapted the Houndmaster archetype into the Huntmaster to an extent. I preferred the original version but it is what it is.
Well. like I said, I wasn't sure which forum to put this in...
I hadn't thought of the Huntmaster, will take a look at it now...
Looks like I got moved into the Homebrew area. Hey, whatever fits...
Huntmaster isn't really what I was looking for, as it's just a trait.
I can't find anything about a Mad Dog Barbarian or anything like it in the PRD site. Could you give me some more info on where to find it?
If there isn't anything else similar, what are anybody's thoughts on the archetype as presented? Is it reasonably balanced/ thematically appropriate? If not, what changes would you make & why?
Huntmaster is also an archetype. Gotta love same-name features. (I'm looking at you, Winter Witch, bane of character sheets.)
I'm leery of having two animal companions representing 2n - 3 druid levels whether they're hounds or mounts. Pretty much every precedent for a single tiered feature granting multiple animal companions caps at druid level = character level, barring silly Animal Ally tricks and other separate abilities boosting the druid level. It probably won't break anything too badly, but it might slow things down.
Honestly, I prefer the huntmaster, but if you and your player find it a bit weak, your archetype variation would probably be fun to play.
Huntmaster is also an archetype. Gotta love same-name features. (I'm looking at you, Winter Witch, bane of character sheets.)
OK, this is more what I had in mind. Will have to take a look at it in more detail & see if it will do. Thanks!
Just for my own curiosity, I'd still like to know what you guys think of my version, since I don't make up things like this. :)
Just for my own curiosity, I'd still like to know what you guys think of my version, since I don't make up things like this. :)
My main concern is the 2nd companion/mount option from the Expert Handler ability - it was pointed out in the original post that Boon Companion would allow both companions to be = to full cavalier level, instead of the 2nd being cavalier level -3. If that would unbalance the archetype, I could rule that Boon Companion doesn't work with the ability. Or should the mount option be removed, and just left as originally written with a 2nd hound?
I'm hoping to work on this pc's character over the weekend, so any feedback offered will be greatly appreciated.
My son suggested specifically putting in that Expert Trainer cannot be used with Boon Companion to help keep the ability from becoming overpowered, as he also felt that might be a balance problem.
I made my own version of this AT as well, the Pack Master if you want to compare notes.
My main quibble with the orginal AT, which remains in your version, is that the animal companions are not all identical. I want to keep bookeeping as low as humanely possible.
Actually, the original only allowed wolves - I opted to expand it to a mount for the 2nd companion (although I'm not sure I'll be keeping it). Even then, there is the fact I only allow 2 animals max, so bookkeeping shouldn't be too bad.
Still, you're option has merit after a quick look, will have to examine more closely in the next day or so... thanks!