Heyas,
Long time reader, first time poster (i think?).
I'm building a bit of a theory build here (it will likely never ever get used since i'm typically the DM but i genuinely love building characters for themes and possibilities.) and i'm a bit stumped on some rulings.
Since i didn't find anything on the search function i figured i'd just ask the think tank i've come to love so much ;)
The build is as followed:
Cavalier (Beastrider/gendarme): 1 lvl
Unchained barbarian (mounted fury / elemntal kin): 12 lvl
Mammoth rider prestige: 1 lvl
The Barbarian will be riding a Mammoth which at this point is huge and has a howdah on its back. The howdah counts as a saddle but only for riders to be mounted for the purposes of attacks. Can a barbarian take on a stance while mounted? Or rather in this case, can it work since they are technically standing on a platform and being moved around instead of being on an actual saddle? (also not in the clear if my rider takes up the same space as my mount still, as normal, or the limited space of the howdah :p)
With that said, can i give taunting stance over to the mammoth or does that one count as being activated (like flesh wound)? I always assumed a stance was just something you took on as soon as you hit rage, since it doesn't need an action.
That said, when i make a trample with the mammoth (which really should be its own question, i'm sorry but the context is required :p)
Enemies can choose to attack me as i pass them. Does that also now trigger the taunting stance for it as well as when i'd attack them with the trample itself?
Seeing how the trample is a native ability for the mammoth, its a pain to have to take ferocious trample, as its the same thing but it does lead to the greater variant.
Combine that with the Improved and Greater Overrun feats, you would get the following since a Trample counts as an overrun:
* Improved: Enemies arent even allowed to avoid you anymore, so they 'need' to make an attack against you during a trample. This is great even if you dont plan on going greater ferocious trample though it could potentiall be dangerous from high threat NPC's.
* Greater: Every time you knock someone down with an overrun, you get to attack them with an AoO. combined with greater ferocious trample (free overrun check on all trample targets) and since cavaliers beastrider says you may interchange any hoof related actions for another natural attack (like the gore, with enchanted tusk blades) this can bring a lot of hurt to the table. Especially with the Mammoths insane strength at this point.
These two options are fully dependent on your DEX modifier for combat reflexes though.
Its been suggested to take the Trample & Mounted Onslaught feats but the native Mastodon trample (which is nearly the same as ferocious trample) are much better in every way in my opinion.
Your thoughts? Did i miss anything or is my logic faulty?
Can it even work this way? :p
I wont even start about using animal growth, strongjaw/improved natural attacks, amulet of mighty fists, beast totem pounces, adding siege weapons on its back or bringing in a cohort of cavalier buddies with lances on the howdah.
I will stress again, this is a theory build and will likely never get used.
Not even as an NPC in one of my games.
(dunno if i can edit posts, but will be happy to maintain this one for future and easier reference for people. I also have a lot more ideas to get the most out of a charge with that big guy so it may become a fun discussion ^^)
Edit: I totally missed the section about stances and where stances are move action activated, so we may as well skip that part entirely.
Shame that you can't pass it on to your mammoth with trample, that would have been quite devastating :p