I'm playing in an upcoming ravenloft campaign, and would like to play the Mistweaver version of the cavalier. Below is the new archetype, and I was wondering how I should go about making this viable. I don't much care about cheesing it out or anything. I just want the character to sufficiently do his job of front line BSF...minus the S. Any suggestions?
Resources allowed: Core, Ultimates, Advanced Class and Race Guides, Core Ravenloft 3.5 rulebook, and Advanced Players Guide
Order of the Raven:
New Order: The Order of the Raven
Edicts: The cavalier must protect the lands of men from the predations of supernatural foes. He prefers death to surrender against such monstrosities and in combat can offer no quarter to those he is sworn to destroy.
Challenge: Whenever the cavalier issues a challenge, he receives a +1 dodge bonus to his AC against attacks made by the target of his challenge. This bonus increases by +1 for every four levels the cavalier possesses.
Skills: The cavalier adds Knowledge (arcana) and Knowledge (religion) to his list of class skills. In addition, the cavalier can add his Charisma modifier to saves against fear effects, including Fear and Horror checks.
Black Shield (Ex): At 2nd level, the cavalier gains Greater Iron Will as a bonus feat. He does not have to meet the prerequisites for this feat.
Raven’s Strike (Su): At 8th level, the cavalier can prevent his opponents from using their unnatural abilities. As a swift action following a successful attack roll the cavalier can disable the use of one supernatural or spell-like ability the creature possesses. The target of the strike gains a Will save (DC 10 + half cavalier’s level + cavalier’s Strength or Dexterity bonus, depending on which ability modified the strike’s attack roll). If the target passes its save, the cavalier can’t use this ability against the creature for 24 hours. If the cavalier knows of a specific special ability, he may designate that ability as the one disabled; otherwise, the GM determines randomly. The target may make another save each round to regain the use of the disabled ability, but suffers a morale penalty to the save equal to the cavalier’s Charisma bonus if threatened by the cavalier at the start of its turn. Creatures without supernatural or spell-like abilities are not affected by this ability. The cavalier can use the ability once a day plus one per 3 levels after 8th.
Dark Soul (Ex): At 15th level, the cavalier permanently gains the effects of death ward. The ward has a caster level equal to the cavalier’s level. If dispelled, the cavalier can restore the ward as a move equivalent action.
Edit: If I'm lacking a bit of detail on what's going on in my group, we're playing a homebrew campaign dealing with undead newly rising within the remains of a fallen city. I'm one of the first people to make a character so, since we usually get a structure going, I got first pick.
I'm used to playing clerics, and spontaneous casters, and so, figured I'd take a step away from magic for a bit to get a feel for the martial classes. I also wanted to use the order above because of how it relates to ravenloft lore.
As far as what I envision this character being, based off of the challenge adjustment and seemingly wonderful mental durability, is a switch rider. Naturally, I'll be going human. And because of how my dm runs things, I'll be rolling two sets of six 4d6 (taking the lowest out), and picking the one that is better. I have to roll them in front of him, so I haven't done the stats yet, but they should be up soon.
Edit: If I'm lacking a bit of detail on what's going on in my group, we're playing a homebrew campaign dealing with undead newly rising within the remains of a fallen city. I'm one of the first people to make a character so, since we usually get a structure going, I got first pick.
I'm used to playing clerics, and spontaneous casters, and so, figured I'd take a step away from magic for a bit to get a feel for the martial classes. I also wanted to use the order above because of how it relates to ravenloft lore.
As far as what I envision this character being, based off of the challenge adjustment and seemingly wonderful mental durability, is a switch rider. Naturally, I'll be going human. And because of how my dm runs things, I'll be rolling two sets of six 4d6 (taking the lowest out), and picking the one that is better. I have to roll them in front of him, so I haven't done the stats yet, but they should be up soon.
There's a chapter on fighting styles that you might want to check out. You mentioned being a switch rider, so the Vanguard fighting style discussed in that chapter could be a good way to go. Power Attack, Combat Reflexes, and Bodyguard and a good reach weapon would let you fight smart against undead (with reach) and also help defend party members near you. The guide also has a chapter specifically on some different ways you could build your mount out to support your fighting style.
Since you're in an urban campaign (or at least it seems like you might be) and fighting undead Shake it Off might work well for your Tactician feat to help boost the party's saves when you're all in close quarters.
I'd go Daring Champion Cavalier, some undead attacks are particularly nasty on a hit, and being able to parry them for no effect is awesome.
Also, the synergy with Cha Panache and the cha to saves is wonderful.
You'll want either a Mithral Breastplate or Elven Chain depending on your str.
Shake It Off is a great Teamwork feat to choose, but there are others that are nice. Escape Route is good for combat mobility(your threatened area doesn't provoke AoO's when allies move through it).
