Post/Author/DateTime	Post
gninja 12-05-05, 05:39 PM	While the phb lists all the drawbacks of barding of varios types, it never mentions the non-proficiency issues that are not mentioned at all. I had been told by several people that if an animal wears barding with a skill check penalty it applies to attack rolls and all that, just like armor. Often with the addendum of "Warhorses are proficient in medium and heavy barding." But is that actually the case? I've dug through nearly a dozen books, looked through official LG resources, and other WoTC generic resources, and I've never seen anything that stated "Barding is armor and requires proficiency." I've also seen a lot of paladin mount or animal companion stat blocks with barding, and not a single one with armor proficiency or an attack penalty. So, which is it? Any reference materials to back it up, either way? My ape with masterwork studded leather really wants to know.
Namarus 12-05-05, 06:35 PM	I've come across the same thing. Which is why I use studded leather +1 armour on my own pet. The problem arises from the animal subtype. Which precludes an animal from having armour proficiency unless it is war trained. If a creature doesn't have armour proficiency and yet wears armour it gets the ACP to to it's attack rolls amoung other things. The problem is that LG doesn't really state explicitly what 'trained for war' actually is or aquired for druids. Training a riding dog to attack twice allows it to make the trip attempt, according to the entry for riding dogs in the MM. A riding dog can only make the trip if it is trained for war. This is the only example given in the LGCS, so there is a lot of confusion regarding the issue with GMs. Some GMs I have been with will allow the animal to be war trained with attack x2 trick, while others do not. Hence why I've stuck to studded leather, until there is some sort of ruling by the Campaign Staff. I've even written to my triad regarding this, but never got a reply.
redgamer 12-08-05, 01:11 AM	There are a lot a question about barding, and animal companions that are not well answered in LG or even in D&D in general. I have to believe most people will require armor proficiency to wear barding properly. I don't get why whether or not you dog gets a trip attack affected you decision to get +1 studded leather armor. Can you explain that one? Or where you still talking about armor check penalties? One thing to remember is that at low level your dog can tank with HP and you may rather the dog get attacked instead of you as the dog will withdraw affter getting hit (animals flee at half hp) and using up one or more of the enemies turns. At high levels its not lack of AC that kills dogs its fireballs. Druid animal companions should have a lot of money spent on them until mid levels as until then they fight as well as many fighters and a druid has few good items to buy for himself.
kjenks 12-09-05, 09:54 PM	I've seen various opinions on what "trained for war" really means, but there are no rules that I can find. Some think it means that the animal has the Attack trick (Handle Animal skill). Some think it means that the animal has the Combat Riding special purpose (Handle Animal skill). Some think it can only be obtained through breeding and out-of-game training, like a light or heavy warhorse or a warpony. A riding dog who is "trained for war" has two advantages: (a) it can make trip attacks just as wolves do and (b) it has armor proficiency (see Monster Manual glossary under the animal type description). Why? I dunno.