Post/Author/DateTime	Post
Namarus 11-14-05, 05:18 PM	I have been recently playing a druid. I use a riding dog companion, and I was wondering what are the rules in LG for 'war trained'? I am looking for a definate guide, rules statement or something. I feel that currently the rules are pretty obscure on that regard in the LGCS. Can I make an animal companion war trained by giving it the 2 attack tricks? Alternately do I train the animal for 'fighting' to make it war trained? In the LGCS it allows riding dogs to be trained twice in attack to obtain the trip ability. However, does this make the dog proficient in wearing armour as per the animal type? Relevant quotes. If trained for war, these animals can make trip attacks just as wolves do (see the Wolf entry). Proficient with no armor unless trained for war. For the riding dog, you may either pick two tricks or use these trick slots to make the dog trained for fighting and granting them a trip attack (as specified in the riding dog entry in the Monster Manual v3.5) Can anyone shed any light on this?
Namarus 11-17-05, 09:57 PM	No replies. Anyone know the answer?
Oaklock 11-17-05, 10:40 PM	With little experience at this but lots of reading, I'll try. The default PHB Riding Dog is best described under the Handle Animal Skill with the general purpose of Combat Riding. This is war trained. The LGCS on page 39, (2nd para) states that LGCS expand the core rules option. Later, on p 40, under Domesticated animals, you can choose to get a Riding Dog with an attack trick and two other tricks or one with Trained to attack. I guess this would include the default PHB Riding Dog or one that has the general purpose of Fighting. I am guessing and have ruled that the Fighting Dog also gets the Trip ability. The Druid Animal Companion can choose one additional Trick at 1st level and more later. If the Riding Dog does not have its six tricks allowed(+ for animal companions), it can also be trained for others with the Handle Animal skill.
Namarus 11-18-05, 03:26 PM	Thanks for the reply. what I'm actually looking for is a defination on how to optain 'war trained' for an animal companion so that I get obtain the ability to wear armour for the animal. The rules seem very unclear on this though
curseofgnome 11-18-05, 04:40 PM	From the LGCS v4.2: Q: I want to take a warhorse for an animal companion for my druid or ranger. Can I do this? A: Not unless you have campaign documentation allowing access to that specifi c animal. As noted on page 35 of the Player’s Handbook v.3.5, a druid may select horse (light or heavy) for a starting animal companion, and the warhorse is not listed in the sidebar on page 36, Alternate Animal Companions. I know this is for horses, not riding dogs, but I think the same reasoning applies.
ShinAkuma2 11-18-05, 05:53 PM	....I disagree. A warhorse is a specialized breed of horse. They have different stats from regular horses. A riding dog "trained for war" is just that, a standard riding dog with special training. I, too, would like to see an official answer to this. I would think it just involves the "Fighting" type, but I do want to know for sure. Heck, I was once told "War-" was a template for animals. -_-
Oaklock 11-18-05, 11:25 PM	From the LGCS v4.2: Q: I want to take a warhorse for an animal companion for my druid or ranger. Can I do this? A: Not unless you have campaign documentation allowing access to that specifi c animal. As noted on page 35 of the Player’s Handbook v.3.5, a druid may select horse (light or heavy) for a starting animal companion, and the warhorse is not listed in the sidebar on page 36, Alternate Animal Companions. I know this is for horses, not riding dogs, but I think the same reasoning applies. Riding dogs are specifically listed under Druid animal companions.
Namarus 11-19-05, 01:00 PM	The problem is what exactly does a druid have to do to ensure his riding dog companion is 'war trained'? Furthermore can other types of druid companion be war trained, so that they can wear armour heavier than masterwork studded leather.
Sieylianna 11-19-05, 05:30 PM	The problem is what exactly does a druid have to do to ensure his riding dog companion is 'war trained'? Furthermore can other types of druid companion be war trained, so that they can wear armour heavier than masterwork studded leather. My companion wears a mithral chain shirt. That's your best bet, since I doubt you'll ever get a definitive answer on "war trained". It's been brought up multiple times over the past year without resolution. Ed
Namarus 11-19-05, 06:30 PM	My companion wears a mithral chain shirt. That's your best bet, since I doubt you'll ever get a definitive answer on "war trained". It's been brought up multiple times over the past year without resolution. Ed Yeah, atm the moment I'm making do with studded +1, I would like to get heavier, but seems noone knows for sure. Some GMs are an absolute sticklier for the rules, and won't allow the animal to use armour without the ACP affect combat abilities, while other GMs will give it 'thumbs up'.
Sieylianna 11-20-05, 10:57 AM	Yeah, atm the moment I'm making do with studded +1, I would like to get heavier, but seems noone knows for sure. Some GMs are an absolute sticklier for the rules, and won't allow the animal to use armour without the ACP affect combat abilities, while other GMs will give it 'thumbs up'. The Mithral chain shirt for my companion came from a Verbobonc module, so you may have already played it (since you're from Indiana). Ed