Buying Dogs [Archive] - Wizards Community

Buying Dogs [Archive] - Wizards Community

Post/Author/DateTime Post
Greyson
10-06-04, 10:57 AM Hi, all.

If a character purchases dogs from the PHB's equipment list, which dog in the Monster Manual does he or she use? A user at our list indicated that you must use the 2 HD Riding Dog. Is that correct? Or, do you use the first entry 1 HD Dog?

Thanks, guys.
lutherreed
10-06-04, 07:42 PM A dog is a dog, but a riding dog is a riding dog. :D

basically 25gp will get you 1HD while 150gp will get you 2HD. Get the Riding dog, he much more worth while. Unless there is a reason you want a small animal. Which there could be, though I cannot think of one at the moment.

:bounce:
Eyeohn
10-07-04, 12:44 AM Here's a reason: The smaller one is cheaper, So you can buy alot more of them... An Army of trained guard dogs sounds better than just one riding dog in my mind. =)
Nidome
10-07-04, 07:12 AM Here's a reason: The smaller one is cheaper, So you can buy alot more of them... An Army of trained guard dogs sounds better than just one riding dog in my mind. =)

Don't get confused, they may be called guard dogs, but they aren't usually trained for combat. They also won't last much beyond the first fight.
If you purchase a riding dog it is assumed that it is trained for combat. This also means that they get a free trip attempt whenever they hit. They can also take a couple of hits and if healed can last the entire adventure.
At low level a riding dog(which does not have to be ridden) with a sorcerer.
He buffs it with mage armour and orders it into combat. It can be very effective, especially against creatures with multiple attacks or low intelligence when it trips them.
Think Quality not Quantity - It is more effective and lasts longer.

Nick.
Eyeohn
10-08-04, 03:38 PM I disagree, for the price of one riding dog you can purchase 6 guard dogs, which in my opinion would be trained, Hence Guard dog, instead of "Pet" dog. And even if you had to train them yourself (Good thing you have handle animal.....right?...) 6 little fellows could add some interesting tactics to your combat, Got a big jerk who looks like he is about to maul you and your too busy dealing with his minions, Send out the hounds! To distract him. The possibilities are endless, though sure.. A riding dog has more long-term use, but even he will eventually become cannon fodder on the first round. My solution? When affordable buy a whole pack of riding dogs! If nothing else they can make an effective distraction.
Nidome
10-08-04, 05:11 PM I disagree, for the price of one riding dog you can purchase 6 guard dogs, which in my opinion would be trained, Hence Guard dog, instead of "Pet" dog. And even if you had to train them yourself (Good thing you have handle animal.....right?...) 6 little fellows could add some interesting tactics to your combat, Got a big jerk who looks like he is about to maul you and your too busy dealing with his minions, Send out the hounds! To distract him. The possibilities are endless, though sure.. A riding dog has more long-term use, but even he will eventually become cannon fodder on the first round. My solution? When affordable buy a whole pack of riding dogs! If nothing else they can make an effective distraction.

How do you get six dogs? The rules are: "Add each character’s animals
separately. A single PC may only bring four or fewer animals of this type, and animals with different CRs are added separately."

But each to his own. I will stick with the riding dog where needed, and you can play with your guard dogs.

Nick.
Cardinal Teplin
10-08-04, 06:24 PM One of players recently suggested starting a party where each character had four riding dogs. The resulting pack of hounds would make short work of most encounters, and with luck they might not have to draw a weapon until 4th or 5th level.

This was partly a reaction to the Isles of Woe series, where the writer seemed to have a bit of a chip on his shoulder about animals and animal companions. Fortunately it never properly got off the ground...
Eyeohn
10-08-04, 07:27 PM How do you get six dogs?

I got six dogs from the price of a Dog compared to the price of a Riding dog, however, if the rules only allow 4, then 4 it is. Just to clarify some things, riding dogs do not automatically come trained for war; according to the LGCS 3.0 You have a choice of a Riding dog with 2 tricks or to trade these trick slots for war training (granting them a trip attack). Also in the LGCS "most animals you can buy and adventure with come trained to some extent." and "Almost all these animals (except donkeys and mules) can perform the basic attack trick".

Personally, the only reason I'd bother with dogs would be for role-playing purposes, maybe my fighter is just a dog lover who's accompanied by his old mut wherever he goes and he saves scraps whenever he eats at an inn. Riding dog, Guard Dog, depends on what best fits your character.
WraithAlcon
10-10-04, 12:15 AM The dog my character keeps is definitely for RP, but also has some uses. I NEVER send him into battle, and realistically my character wouldn't either.

However, the dog DOES guard me. This has helped when I went down and it protected me against a weakened enemy (actually getting the killing blow). I'm also planning on making him more a "rescue dog" and put a little healing potion in his collar to use after I get the DieHard feat. :D
Arinaad
10-10-04, 10:35 AM Never knock the use of a dog. I gave a GM, who is actually a triad member now, a headache when I called my guard dog a "mobile missile platform." I outfitted my guard dog with barding, and used it's carrying capacity to carry my extra arrows. Upon acquiring a wand of Fireball, I also put that on the puppy. Now whenever I believe that there might be a need, I call my puppy to me and it brings along all of the neat pieces of equipment that I don't often need. Also, at APL 10-12 if the dog were a cohort, it would be about 11th lvl by now, and judges rarely aim to kill Fido, as he is a less imposing target. I know that you will say that a horse may do the same thing, but there are certain creatures that will aim for horses (griffons for example), but a dog will just be in the background.

As for an example of a time when you would like a small animal, try going on a ship... the captain will be less hesitant to let a small dog on board, as opposed to a medium one.

That's my 2 cents.

Shawn

Post/Author/DateTime	Post
Greyson 10-06-04, 10:57 AM	Hi, all. If a character purchases dogs from the PHB's equipment list, which dog in the Monster Manual does he or she use? A user at our list indicated that you must use the 2 HD Riding Dog. Is that correct? Or, do you use the first entry 1 HD Dog? Thanks, guys.
lutherreed 10-06-04, 07:42 PM	A dog is a dog, but a riding dog is a riding dog. :D basically 25gp will get you 1HD while 150gp will get you 2HD. Get the Riding dog, he much more worth while. Unless there is a reason you want a small animal. Which there could be, though I cannot think of one at the moment. :bounce:
Eyeohn 10-07-04, 12:44 AM	Here's a reason: The smaller one is cheaper, So you can buy alot more of them... An Army of trained guard dogs sounds better than just one riding dog in my mind. =)
Nidome 10-07-04, 07:12 AM	Here's a reason: The smaller one is cheaper, So you can buy alot more of them... An Army of trained guard dogs sounds better than just one riding dog in my mind. =) Don't get confused, they may be called guard dogs, but they aren't usually trained for combat. They also won't last much beyond the first fight. If you purchase a riding dog it is assumed that it is trained for combat. This also means that they get a free trip attempt whenever they hit. They can also take a couple of hits and if healed can last the entire adventure. At low level a riding dog(which does not have to be ridden) with a sorcerer. He buffs it with mage armour and orders it into combat. It can be very effective, especially against creatures with multiple attacks or low intelligence when it trips them. Think Quality not Quantity - It is more effective and lasts longer. Nick.
Eyeohn 10-08-04, 03:38 PM	I disagree, for the price of one riding dog you can purchase 6 guard dogs, which in my opinion would be trained, Hence Guard dog, instead of "Pet" dog. And even if you had to train them yourself (Good thing you have handle animal.....right?...) 6 little fellows could add some interesting tactics to your combat, Got a big jerk who looks like he is about to maul you and your too busy dealing with his minions, Send out the hounds! To distract him. The possibilities are endless, though sure.. A riding dog has more long-term use, but even he will eventually become cannon fodder on the first round. My solution? When affordable buy a whole pack of riding dogs! If nothing else they can make an effective distraction.
Nidome 10-08-04, 05:11 PM	I disagree, for the price of one riding dog you can purchase 6 guard dogs, which in my opinion would be trained, Hence Guard dog, instead of "Pet" dog. And even if you had to train them yourself (Good thing you have handle animal.....right?...) 6 little fellows could add some interesting tactics to your combat, Got a big jerk who looks like he is about to maul you and your too busy dealing with his minions, Send out the hounds! To distract him. The possibilities are endless, though sure.. A riding dog has more long-term use, but even he will eventually become cannon fodder on the first round. My solution? When affordable buy a whole pack of riding dogs! If nothing else they can make an effective distraction. How do you get six dogs? The rules are: "Add each character’s animals separately. A single PC may only bring four or fewer animals of this type, and animals with different CRs are added separately." But each to his own. I will stick with the riding dog where needed, and you can play with your guard dogs. Nick.
Cardinal Teplin 10-08-04, 06:24 PM	One of players recently suggested starting a party where each character had four riding dogs. The resulting pack of hounds would make short work of most encounters, and with luck they might not have to draw a weapon until 4th or 5th level. This was partly a reaction to the Isles of Woe series, where the writer seemed to have a bit of a chip on his shoulder about animals and animal companions. Fortunately it never properly got off the ground...
Eyeohn 10-08-04, 07:27 PM	How do you get six dogs? I got six dogs from the price of a Dog compared to the price of a Riding dog, however, if the rules only allow 4, then 4 it is. Just to clarify some things, riding dogs do not automatically come trained for war; according to the LGCS 3.0 You have a choice of a Riding dog with 2 tricks or to trade these trick slots for war training (granting them a trip attack). Also in the LGCS "most animals you can buy and adventure with come trained to some extent." and "Almost all these animals (except donkeys and mules) can perform the basic attack trick". Personally, the only reason I'd bother with dogs would be for role-playing purposes, maybe my fighter is just a dog lover who's accompanied by his old mut wherever he goes and he saves scraps whenever he eats at an inn. Riding dog, Guard Dog, depends on what best fits your character.
WraithAlcon 10-10-04, 12:15 AM	The dog my character keeps is definitely for RP, but also has some uses. I NEVER send him into battle, and realistically my character wouldn't either. However, the dog DOES guard me. This has helped when I went down and it protected me against a weakened enemy (actually getting the killing blow). I'm also planning on making him more a "rescue dog" and put a little healing potion in his collar to use after I get the DieHard feat. :D
Arinaad 10-10-04, 10:35 AM	Never knock the use of a dog. I gave a GM, who is actually a triad member now, a headache when I called my guard dog a "mobile missile platform." I outfitted my guard dog with barding, and used it's carrying capacity to carry my extra arrows. Upon acquiring a wand of Fireball, I also put that on the puppy. Now whenever I believe that there might be a need, I call my puppy to me and it brings along all of the neat pieces of equipment that I don't often need. Also, at APL 10-12 if the dog were a cohort, it would be about 11th lvl by now, and judges rarely aim to kill Fido, as he is a less imposing target. I know that you will say that a horse may do the same thing, but there are certain creatures that will aim for horses (griffons for example), but a dog will just be in the background. As for an example of a time when you would like a small animal, try going on a ship... the captain will be less hesitant to let a small dog on board, as opposed to a medium one. That's my 2 cents. Shawn