I am soon to start a new game, and I am looking at a few character concepts, but the Hunter seems like a bit of fun. Intending to go full mounted archer if I choose to use it (and having it pre-built for another campaign would also be nice).
DM has more-or-less hinted that a large component will be 'doing dungeon stuff'. Likely, this means 5' corridors and low ceilings. I'm not normally in the market for flying mounts anyway, and in discussion with the DM I expressed an intent not to really go for a climb speed either, just to not trivialize enemies - the DM responded that climb is okay, but for the purpose of the exercise it's not a massive selling point.
I'd like the mount to at least be able it hold it's own if someone closes to melee, or if I can charge an fleeing enemy or a weaker outlier from time to time, and occasionally close to assist with flanking if the "flying kebob stick" isn't working for whatever reason - not a full-switch hitter, but a rough approximation that wouldn't just be a liability when those situations arise.
So, my riding bretheren - what mounts are any good? I'm not just looking for 'the most OP', but if there is a clear winner I'm obviously going to take it.
Specifically:
Are there any really decent mounts that start off medium but STAY medium?
Are there any that start Small (thus not a mount right away) but become just exceptionally good at 4/7 when they increase in size?
Or, is there a way to prevent a really good Medium sized mount from becoming Large at the requisite level??
Or am I really going to struggle to be a mounted halfling flinging toothpicks?
Thanks in advance for any and all advice. If it's too hard, I will park the concept and go with a Medium one in another campaign.
If you can wait till 4th level, the cheetah has a 50 foot move speed and the sprint ability. It’s one of your faster mount options if you are small.
If you are going to do an archer riding an animal companion consider how you will manage things so you and your pet can both attack enemies, or how often that will be the case.
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A Ratfolk PC + Riding Rat(Giant Dire Rat) mount combination offers good mobility (Medium size, Speed 40, climb 20, swim 20).
Any mount can remain it's same size instead of increasing.
"Instead of taking the listed benefit at 4th or 7th level, you can instead choose to increase the companion's Dexterity and Constitution by 2."
Yes! This - I knew I had read it somewhere...
I can't remember the exact rules, but there is an option to advance stats on ACs without advancing size for either Druids or Rangers, so I'm assuming there's an option for Hunters.
Halfling riding dogs are iconic. Wolves being a common alternative. Any AC can be taught the mount trick, so as long as you can afford the saddle, you can go nuts. Obviously the big cats are powerful combat choices. Though a boar or goat could be fun if you do decide to use charging tactics.
What types of tactics are you thinking of? What critters spark fun ideas or visuals for you?
I was thinking hanging outside melee range for full attacks, but (when space permits) moving around to the side to provide "rush in and... (flank/aid/special mount attack)", or chase down a runner/close up to a spellcaster behind the front lines.
In the tighter areas, the mount just can't be a detriment - i.e. if it were outdoors I'd have loved having a Triceratops, Elephant or even a Stegasaurus, for the potential of peppering away for a time and then when an opportunity presents itself just smashing in for a charge (or a hefty trip a la Steg)
Given I need a small mount, I still want the opportunity for something interesting to do besides being a mobile missile battery.
I did consider the Halfing Pupper Pepperer route, and although it's never been done before in our group, I wanted to see if there was something a little more exotic and interesting.
RAW Mounts and Pets which can be frustrating as it does not link to the monster.
→ Horse Substitutes thread, 2022 which includes a link to Animal Companions - so many choices thread.
This was amazing! Thanks!
The Riding Dog is pretty much the gold standard for small riders. It's strong, it's fast, it has four legs (granted, that's most mounts) so it's resistant to trip and can carry more, and it can trip enemies, and has scent for tracking. It's also not so freaky looking that you get looks in town or stabling at the inn.
After that, I think most people go for something with Pounce.
But if you really want to try something that almost nobody (that I have observed) really tries, it's a snake. A constrictor snake starts at Medium and it's like 6 gold if you were to buy one. Granted, you would likely need to pay for an exotic riding saddle. Most people have trouble visualized riding a snake, because they are so attuned to riding horses or dogs or boars.
It has Constrict, which can damage and lock down an opponent with a bite and its movement includes Swim and Climb speeds (you said you weren't into climb, but your GM said it was okay), so even in tight spaces you could theoretically be moving forward on a wall or even across a ceiling (see why you have an exotic saddle to hold you place). Now your ranged attacks might not be blocked by your front liners and you can skirt pits and rough floor. Swim may or may not come into play. It has no legs so it really can't be tripped or knocked prone at all.
The real downside is their Speed of 20, which is not impressive. It's okay if you're planning to hold back and snipe anyway, but otherwise one of your spells might need to be longstrider or an Animal Focus that ups their speed.** spoiler omitted **...
You know, I saw snake and immediately thought "oh, that's just a companion, not a mount - would be cool though..." and just forgot about it.
Reading this I am very much interested, and it may even be what I end up. I can see the GM only letting me climb on surfaces that have some sort of grip-able protrusions, but I don't mind at all.
I'm definitely putting this back at the top of the list.
I don't think anyone has mentioned the Titanoboa. It starts medium and has a regular, climb and swim speed of 30 and is good in other ways.
You can always take the Undersize Mount feat to ride something the same size as you. And then trade it away for another feat when it gets bigger. As a Hunter, you get Precise Shot at level 2 for free so you don't really need Point-Blank Shot. So you can take Undersized Mount at level one.
My own Hunter rode a boar and she was a killing machine. She was a melee build and my boar rarely went down.