Hunter Megalania mount build advice

[BigP4nda]

So I am trying to build a Hunter or Druid (looking for full HD animal companion) with a Megalania animal companion and would like to use it as a mount. I was trying to search for rules on riding oversized mounts, such as being small riding a large mount, but couldn't find any.

Also, I was thinking of dual-wielding starknives. Though the hunter doesn't get access to the Rangers style feats, which makes that a pretty expensive feat investment. What is the best way negate the two-weapon penalties and have a full HD animal companion that is the least feat-taxing?

Back to the oversized mount question, if it is possible without penalty, I am probably going to do halfling or gnome, any recommendations? I could go dwarf as well.

EDIT: Also, I intend for this to be a PFS character, so no third-party.

[Joynt Jezebel]

BigP4nda wrote:

So I am trying to build a Hunter or Druid (looking for full HD animal companion) with a Megalania animal companion and would like to use it as a mount.

1 I was trying to search for rules on riding oversized mounts, such as being small riding a large mount, but couldn't find any.

2 ... and have a full HD animal companion that is the least feat-taxing?

3 Back to the oversized mount question, if it is possible without penalty, I am probably going to do halfling or gnome, any recommendations? I could go dwarf as well.

1 I don't think there are any.

2 You can't have a full HD animal companion. Oracles with the appropriate mystery can get close if they are the right race. Elves have this- Oracle: Add +1/2 to the oracle's level for the purpose of determining the effects of one revelation.
But there is a FAQ that limits it.

3 You want to be small, so you can ride the thing from level 1, with a high wisdom. Grippli?

On the other hand, Asimars have the celestial companion feat.

Finally, look at the primal companion archetype for hunters.

[BigP4nda]

Joynt Jezebel wrote:

BigP4nda wrote:

So I am trying to build a Hunter or Druid (looking for full HD animal companion) with a Megalania animal companion and would like to use it as a mount.

1 I was trying to search for rules on riding oversized mounts, such as being small riding a large mount, but couldn't find any.

2 ... and have a full HD animal companion that is the least feat-taxing?

3 Back to the oversized mount question, if it is possible without penalty, I am probably going to do halfling or gnome, any recommendations? I could go dwarf as well.

1 I don't think there are any.

2 You can't have a full HD animal companion. Oracles with the appropriate mystery can get close if they are the right race. Elves have this- Oracle: Add +1/2 to the oracle's level for the purpose of determining the effects of one revelation.
But there is a FAQ that limits it.

3 You want to be small, so you can ride the thing from level 1, with a high wisdom. Grippli?

On the other hand, Asimars have the celestial companion feat.

Finally, look at the primal companion archetype for hunters.

I meant Full HD as in effective Druid level = your level. Sorry bad descriptor

[BigP4nda]

WOW!!! See what proper searching does for you?

Boon Companion

I can be a Ranger now :) would just have to wait to get the mount, but it solves my issue with feat-taxes.

So that adds another option. I don't really want the Grippli mostly because it just seems weird a frog riding a lizard...

Available options for this build (in order of likelihood)

Race options: Dwarf, Gnome, Halfling, Human, Half-Elf

Class options: Ranger (w/ boon companion feat), Hunter, Druid

[Dafydd]

I would suggest Hunter over ranger and druid. Ranger because PFS has a limitation on what you may take as a pet as a ranger. Druid for the following.

With outflank(free at 2nd) and Pack Flanking (possible bonus feat at 3rd) you will have a higher to hit then a ranger.

Toss on Lookout feat and Bodyguard archetype for the pet and you get to do something like this.

GM: You are traveling through the woods when a trio of bandits drop down, surprise round.
You: I roll initative: initative: 1d20 + 5 - 2 ⇒ (14) + 5 - 2 = 17
GM: Ok, you beat the bandits
You: I charge, lancing bandit A attack: 1d20 + 12 ⇒ (9) + 12 = 21 while Mega chews on bandit B attack: 1d20 + 10 ⇒ (14) + 10 = 24
GM: ok, Bandit C runs away as it's surprise round action

This is assuming you can ride him at level 3, so you will need to be small size or have the Undersized Mount feat.