Post/Author/DateTime	Post
DonThelonious 07-26-07, 11:00 AM	Beast Rider Prestige Class By Don Thelonious http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1063/1050396646_da7796e30f_o.jpg "Without you, my friend, I am nothing." Dainna Gourlaglin to her Zuniceratops Mount 'Belloour' "Charge with me, and let their bones make the lands fertile!!!!!!" Random Beast Rider Barbaric folk have their own champions, experts at mounted combat from the backs of allied beasts of the wild. The Beast Rider and her companion beast defend their tribes and clans with a vigor that exceeds either individuals powers. Hit Die: d10 Requirements To qualify to become a Beast Rider, a character must fulfill all the following criteria: Base Attack Bonus: +5 Skills: Ride 8 Ranks, Handle Animal 4 Ranks, Survival 8 Ranks. Feats: Mounted Combat, Ride-By Attack Class Ability: Rage Special: The first step on the path of the Beast Rider is going out in the wild alone and making peaceful contact with the selected mounts type. The potential Beast Rider must befriend and earn the trust of her future companion. This process takes one month in which the applicant and the beast learn to work together. Class skills The Beast-Riders class skills (and key ability for each skill) are: Craft (Any) (Int), Handle Animal (Cha), Intimidate (Cha), Jump (Str), Profession (any) (Wis), Ride (Dex), Spot(Wis), and Survival (Wis) Skill Points at Each Level: 2 + Int modifier. The Beast Rider LvL BAB F R W Special 1st +1 +2 +0 +2 Bonded Mount, Mounted Weapon Bonus +1 (Spear/Lance), Rage 1/day, Ride Bonus 2nd +2 +3 +0 +3 Mounted Weapon Bonus +1 (All Mounted Attacks), Charge, Shared Damage Reduction 1/- 3rd +3 +3 +1 +3 Spirited Charge, Mounted Weapon Bonus +2 (Spear/Lance) 4th +4 +4 +1 +4 Mounted Uncanny Dodge, Mounted Weapon Bonus +2 (All Mounted Attacks) 5th +5 +4 +1 +4 Rage 2/day, Mounted Weapon Bonus +3 (Spear Or Lance), Shared Rage, DR 2/- 6th +6 +5 +2 +5 Mounted Weapon Bonus +3 (All Mounted Attacks), Superior Mounted Combat 7th +7 +5 +2 +5 Improved Mounted Uncanny Dodge, Mounted Weapon Bonus +4 (Spear/Lance) 8th +8 +6 +2 +6 Superior Ride-By Attack, Mounted Weapon Bonus +4 (All Mounted Attacks), DR 3/- 9th +9 +6 +3 +6 Mounted Weapon Bonus +5 (Spear/Lance) 10th +10 +7 +3 +7 Mounted Weapon Bonus+5 (All Mounted Attacks), Rage 3/day, War Chant Class features All of the following are class features of the Beast Rider prestige class. Weapon and Armor Proficiency: Beast Riders are proficient with all simple and martial weapons. Beast Riders are limited to light or medium armor. Bonded Mount: A Beast Rider gains a special mount to serve her, chosen from the list below. This creature is stronger and more intelligent than others of its type. A Beast Rider may have only one mount at a time. If the mount is slain, the Beast Rider is immediately stricken with utter sadness and severe depression. She must take a -4 penalty to all attack and damage rolls, as well as a -2 penalty to all Skill Checks and Saves. The mountless Beast Rider is also stricken with an effect similar to a Slow spell for 1 week. The penalties last for 1 month and cannot be negated by any spell or ability. If the Beast Rider is able to either resurrect or have the mounts body given a proper funeral and then is the recipient of an atonement spell they will not suffer the penalties. Mounted Weapon Bonus (Ex): At each level a Beast Rider gains the indicated bonus on her attack roll with designated weapon while mounted. At 1st level Beast Riders gain a special bonus to attacks while wielding a lance or spear in combat. At level one they receive a +1, and it improves by 1 every odd level thereafter (+2 at 3rd, +3 at 5th, etc.) to a max of +5 at 9th level. At 2nd level, and every even level thereafter this bonus extends to attacks made with any weapon while mounted. Much like the bonus to spears and lances this bonus goes up by 1 every even level, to a max of +5 at 10th level to all attacks made while mounted. Ride Bonus (Ex): Beast Riders are undisputable riders. Beast Riders gain a bonus on all Ride checks equal to his/her class level. Rage (Ex): A Beast Rider can fly into a rage just as the Barbarian ability of the same name. She gains the standard +4 bonus to Strength, +4 bonus to Constitution, a +2 morale bonus on Will saves, and a -2 penalty to Armor Class. This increases to 2/day at level 5 and finally 3/day at level 10. This ability stacks with the number of uses per day and any special rage abilities granted from another class. Charge (Ex): A Beast Rider can use a spear or lance to deal triple damage when used from the back of a charging mount. The Spirited Charge feat can be used to increase the damage multiplier to quadruple normal. In the event of a confirmed critical hit these multipliers are factored in BEFORE critical damage is calculated normally. Shared Damage Reduction (Ex): Beginning at 2nd level a mounted Beast Rider and her mount have seen enough combat together they are able to shrug off a small amount of injury from any blow or attack. Subtract 1 from the damage the Beast Rider or her mount takes each time either one is dealt damage from a weapon or natural attack. At 5th level and again at 8th level this reduction increases by 1 point. This ability only functions when the beast rider is astride her mount. If the beast rider has damage reduction from another source (such as barbarian levels) it does not stack with the damage reduction she and her beast share. Spirited Charge (Ex): At third level the Beast Rider gains Spirited Charge as a bonus feat. Mounted Uncanny Dodge (Ex): Starting at 4th level, while mounted a Beast Rider and her mount gain the ability to react to danger before either of their individual senses would normally allow them to do so. They retain their Dex bonus’ to AC (if any) even if they are caught flat footed or struck by an invisible attacker. However they still lose their Dex bonus to AC if they are immobilized. This only works while mounted so it does not stack with Uncanny dodge from any other source. Shared Rage (Su): At 5th level the Beast Rider and her mount become so attuned with each others feelings and emotional state that her mount gains all the benefits and penalties the rider gains when she uses her rage ability while mounted. Superior Mounted Combat (Ex): At sixth level and higher a Beast Rider is able to use her Mounted Combat feat a number of times per round equal to her Dexterity modifier. Improved Mounted Uncanny Dodge (Ex): A Beast Rider and her mount of 7th level or higher can no longer be flanked; they can react to opponents on opposite sides of themselves as easily as they can react to a single attacker. This defense denies a rogue the ability to sneak attack the Beast Rider and her mount by flanking her, unless the attacker has four more levels than the total character level of the Beast Rider. This ability is only usable while mounted and does not stack with any other sources of Improved Uncanny Dodge. Superior Ride-By Attack (Ex): Starting at 8th level a Beast Rider is able to make as many attacks as her BAB would allow, albeit at a -5 for each iterative attack, to each enemy she can reach during a charge. War Chant (Su): At 10th level a Beast Rider is able to Inspire Greatness much like a bard. 1/Day the Beast Rider can begin a chant to inspire greatness in herself and her mount, granting extra fighting capability. To inspire greatness, a Beast Rider must chant and the mount must hear the chant. The effect lasts for as long as the mount hears the Beast Rider chant and for 5 rounds thereafter. A creature inspired with greatness gains 2 bonus Hit Dice (d10’s), the commensurate number of temporary hit points (apply the targets constitution modifier, if any, to these bonus Hit Dice), a +2 competence bonus on attack rolls, and a +1 competence bonus on fortitude saves. The bonus Hit Dice count as regular Hit Dice for determining the effect of spells such as sleep. While chanting the beast rider is limited to only one standard action per round, though her mount may move and act normally during this time. When activated this ability provokes attacks of opportunity for the first round of its use, but only for that first round. This ability is usable while raging. War Chant is a mind-affecting sonic ability. Mounts Level BonusHD NA Adj. Str/Dex Adj Bonus Tricks Special 1-2 +2 +4 +1 3 Empathic Link, Share Spells 3-4 +4 +6 +2 4 Evasion 5-6 +6 +8 +3 5 Devotion, Improved Speed 10’ 7-8 +8 +10 +4 6 Improved Evasion 9-10 +10 +12 +5 7 Improved Speed 20’ Bonus HD: Extra eight-sided (d8) Hit Dice, each of which gains a Constitution modifier, as normal. Extra Hit Dice improve the mount’s base attack and base save bonuses. A special mount’s base attack bonus is equal to that of a cleric of a level equal to the mount’s HD. A mount has good Fortitude and Reflex saves (Treat as character of equal level to Beast Rider). The mount gains additional skill points or feats for bonus HD as normal for advancing a monster’s Hit Dice, as well as improved size if applicable. Natural Armor Adj.: The number on the table is an improvement to the mount’s existing natural armor bonus. Str/Dex Adj.: Add this value to the Mounts Strength and Dexterity scores. Bonus Tricks: The value given in this column is the total number of “bonus” tricks that the animal knows in addition to any that the Beast Rider might choose to teach it (see the Handle Animal skill). These bonus tricks don’t require any training time or Handle Animal checks, and they don’t count against the normal limit of tricks known by the animal. The Beast Rider selects these bonus tricks, and once selected, they can’t be changed. Empathic Link (Su): The Rider has an empathic link with his mount out to a distance of up to 1 mile. The Rider cannot see through the Mount’s eyes, but they can communicate empathically. Because of the limited nature of the link, only general emotional content can be communicated. Because of this empathic link, the Rider has the same connection to an item or place that his Mount does. Share Spells: At the Beast Riders option, she may have any spell (but not any spell-like ability) cast upon herself also affect her mount. The mount must be within 5 feet of her at the time of casting to receive the benefit. If the spell or effect has a duration other than instantaneous, it stops affecting the mount if it moves farther than 5 feet away and will not affect the animal again, even if it returns to the Beast Rider before the duration expires. A Beast Rider and her mount can share spells even if the spells normally do not affect creatures of the companion’s type (animal). Evasion (Ex): If a Beast Riders mount is subjected to an attack that normally allows a Reflex saving throw for half damage, it takes no damage if it makes a successful saving throw. Devotion (Ex): A Beast Riders mount gains a +4 morale bonus on Will saves against enchantment spells and effects. Improved Evasion (Ex): When subjected to an attack that normally allows a Reflex saving throw for half damage, a Beast Riders mount takes no damage if it makes a successful saving throw and only half damage if the saving throw fails. Improved Speed (Ex): [/bThe mounts speed increases by 10 feet at level 5-6. It increases by another 10 feet at level 9-10, for a max of +20 to its move speeds. Starting out a first level Beast Rider may select one of the following mounts (These are all from the MM): Bison, Dire Bear, Dire Boar, Rhinoceros, Dire Lion, Dire Tiger, Dire Wolf, Dire Wolverine, Deinonychus, or Megaraptor. Optional for Small Characters: Brown Bear, Boar, Giant Crocodile*, Lion, Tiger, Rhinoceros, Dire Ape, Dire Badger, Dire Bat, Dire Weasel. *More aquatic than land. These dinosaurs and other prehistoric beasties are courtesy of the folks over at The Dinosaur Menagerie (http://forums.gleemax.com/showthread.php?t=422781). *Denotes Aquatic **Denotes Mount for Small Character Basilosaurus* (http://forums.gleemax.com/showpost.php?p=13083422&postcount=1001) Bellesaurus (http://forums.gleemax.com/showpost.php?p=6081807&postcount=29) Brontornis** (http://forums.gleemax.com/showpost.php?p=11830362&postcount=808) Centrosaurus (http://forums.gleemax.com/showpost.php?p=7491686&postcount=165) Ceratosaurus (I think the CR should be 6) (http://forums.gleemax.com/showpost.php?p=7634873&postcount=315) Clidastes* (http://forums.gleemax.com/showpost.php?p=10301578&postcount=536) Desmatasuchus** (http://forums.gleemax.com/showpost.php?p=11493181&postcount=716) Epanterias (http://forums.gleemax.com/showpost.php?p=12555505&postcount=917) Estemnosuchus (http://forums.gleemax.com/showpost.php?p=11410545&postcount=703) Eustreptospondylus** (http://forums.gleemax.com/showpost.php?p=7474137&postcount=155) Gasosaurus** (http://forums.gleemax.com/showpost.php?p=7773958&postcount=390) Gorgosaurus (http://forums.gleemax.com/showpost.php?p=13075581&postcount=999) Kentrosaurus** (http://forums.gleemax.com/showpost.php?p=6372399&postcount=121) Ornithumimus** (http://forums.gleemax.com/showpost.php?p=7681398&postcount=338) Pachycephalosaurus (http://forums.gleemax.com/showpost.php?p=13667576&postcount=1083) Pachyrhinosaurus (http://forums.gleemax.com/showpost.php?p=7500631&postcount=176) Pawpawsaurus (http://forums.gleemax.com/showpost.php?p=10693429&postcount=591) Protoceratops** (http://forums.gleemax.com/showpost.php?p=6082495&postcount=34) Saurolophus (http://forums.gleemax.com/showpost.php?p=6090183&postcount=69) Stokesosaurus (http://forums.gleemax.com/showpost.php?p=7703637&postcount=350) Styracosaurus (http://forums.gleemax.com/showpost.php?p=13706467&postcount=1101) Vulcanodon (http://forums.gleemax.com/showpost.php?p=11762090&postcount=777) Zuniceratops (http://forums.gleemax.com/showpost.php?p=6092768&postcount=71) Once again: Thank You to the guys from The Dinosaur Menagerie See ver.2.0 PEACH Pickers: MaverickWolf deshrimp Beast Rider ver.2.0 Updated the class into a better format. Fixed and balanced the abilities so that the class is not overpowered anymore. Filled in the fluff for every aspect of the PrC. Tell me what you all think of it now:D [B]Beast Rider Prestige Class By Don Thelonious http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1063/1050396646_da7796e30f_o.jpg "Without you, my friend, I am nothing." Dainna Gourlaglin to her Zuniceratops Mount 'Belloour' "Charge with me friend, and we will grind their bones to make the lands fertile!" Random Beast Rider Barbaric folk have long had their own champions, experts at mounted combat from the backs of allied beasts. The Beast Rider and her companion beast defend their tribes and clans with a vigor that far exceeds either individuals powers. Nothing can match the bond shared by a beast rider and her mount, a bond of friendship and devotion that cannot be fathomed by civilized outsiders. BECOMING A BEAST RIDER Beast Riders most often hail from the more savage and barbaric humanoid races, though any race with a barbaric counter-part can join their ranks, usually by entering military service in the defense of their communities. Occasionally member of the more civilized races will join this prestige class in order to escape the bonds of their 'civilized' world, although their softened nature often leaves much to be desired. ENTRY REQUIREMENTS To qualify to become a Beast Rider, a character must fulfill all the following criteria: Base Attack Bonus: +5 Skills: Ride 8 Ranks, Handle Animal 4 Ranks, and Survival 8 Ranks Feats: Mounted Combat and Ride-By Attack Alignment: Any Non-Lawful Class Ability: Rage 1/Day Special: The first step on the path of the Beast Rider is going out into the wilds alone and making peaceful contact with a creature of the selected mounts type. The potential Beast Rider must then befriend and earn the complete trust of her future companion. This process takes at least one month during which the applicant and the beast learn to work together and believe in the abilities of one another. Class Skills The Beast-Riders class skills (and key ability for each skill) are Craft (Any) (Int), Handle Animal (Cha), Intimidate (Cha), Jump (Str), Profession (any) (Wis), Ride (Dex), Spot(Wis), and Survival (Wis) Skills Points at Each Level : 2 + Int Modifier Hit Dice: d10 BAB Fort Ref Will Abilities 1. +1 +2 +0 +2 Bonded Mount, Rage 1/Day, Ride Bonus 2. +2 +3 +0 +3 Shared Rage 3. +3 +3 +1 +3 Spirited Charge, Mounted Combat Bonus 4. +4 +4 +1 +4 Mounted Uncanny Dodge 5. +5 +4 +1 +4 Rage 2/day, Shared DR 1/-, War Chant 1/Day 6. +6 +5 +2 +5 Superior Mounted Combat 7. +7 +5 +2 +5 Improved Mounted Uncanny Dodge, Shared DR 2/- 8. +8 +6 +2 +6 Superior Ride-By Attack 9. +9 +6 +3 +6 Shared DR 3/- 10.+10 +7 +3 +7 Rage 3/day, War Chant 2/Day Weapon Proficiencies: Beast Riders are proficient with all simple and martial weapons. Beast Riders are limited to light or medium armor. Bonded Mount: A Beast Rider gains a special mount who is her friend and steed. This creature is often stronger and more intelligent than others of its type. A Beast Rider may have only one mount at a time. If the mount is slain, the Beast Rider is immediately stricken with utter sadness and severe depression. She takes a -4 penalty to all attack and damage rolls, as well as a -2 penalty to all Skill Checks and Saves. The mount-less Beast Rider is also stricken with an effect identical to a Slow spell for 1 week. These penalties persist for 1 month and cannot be negated by any spell or ability. If the Beast Rider is able to either resurrected or have the mounts body given a proper funeral, and then is the recipient of an atonement spell she will no longer suffer these penalties. A list of suitable mounts can be found at the bottom of this post. Rage(Ex): A Beast Rider can fly into a rage just as the Barbarian ability of the same name. She gains the standard +4 bonus to Strength, +4 bonus to Constitution, a +2 morale bonus on Will saves, and a -2 penalty to Armor Class. This increases to 2/day at level 5 and finally 3/day at level 10. This ability stacks with the number of uses per day and any special rage abilities granted from another class. Ride Bonus (Ex): Beast Riders are indisputable riders. Beast Riders gain a bonus on all Ride checks equal to his/her class level. Shared Rage (Su): Beginning at 2nd level the Beast Rider and her mount have formed such a strong bond and have become so attuned to the others feelings that when the rider uses her Rage ability her mount also gains all the benefits and penalties that the rider gains. This ability only applies to the beast rider and her mount, and only if it is within 5 feet of her. The mounts rage ends when her rage ends, or as soon as she is no longer within 5 feet of her companion. Spirited Charge (Ex): At third level the Beast Rider gains Spirited Charge as a bonus feat. Mounted Combat Bonus (Ex): Beast riders are masters of fighting from the saddle. Starting at 3rd level she gains a +1 bonus to all attacks made from the back of her mount. This bonus increases to +2 at 6th level and +3 at 9th level. Mounted Uncanny Dodge (Ex): Starting at 4th level a Beast Rider and her mount gain the ability to react to danger before either of their individual senses would normally allow them to do so. This ability only functions while the beast rider is on her mount. They retain their Dex bonus’ to AC (if any) even if they are caught flat footed or struck by an invisible attacker. However they still lose their Dex bonus to AC if they are immobilized. This ability only works while mounted so it does not stack with Uncanny dodge from any other source. Shared Damage Reduction (Ex): Beginning at 5th level a mounted Beast Rider and her mount have seen enough combat together they are able to shrug off a small amount of injury from any blow or attack. Subtract 1 from the damage the Beast Rider or her mount takes each time either one is dealt damage from a weapon or natural attack. At 7th level and again at 9th level this reduction increases by 1 point. This ability only functions when the beast rider is astride her mount. If the beast rider has damage reduction from another source (such as barbarian levels) it does not stack with the damage reduction she and her beast share. War Chant (Su): Beginning at 5th level a Beast Rider is able to similar to Inspire Greatness much like a bard. 1/Day the Beast Rider can begin a chant to inspire greatness in herself and her mount, granting extra fighting capability. To inspire greatness, a Beast Rider must give up one of her daily Rage uses. She then begins to chant and the mount must be able to hear the chant. The effects of this ability manifest the next round and lasts for as long as the mount hears the Beast Rider chant and for 5 rounds thereafter. A creature inspired with greatness gains 2 bonus Hit Dice (d10s), a commensurate number of temporary hit points (apply the targets constitution modifier, if any, to these bonus Hit Dice), a +2 competence bonus on attack rolls, and a +1 competence bonus on fortitude saves. The bonus Hit Dice count as regular Hit Dice for determining the effect of spells such as sleep. While chanting the beast rider is limited to only one standard action per round, though her mount may move and act normally during this time. When first activated this ability provokes attacks of opportunity, but only for that first round. At 10th level the beast rider gains one additional use of this ability per day. This ability is usable while raging. War Chant is a mind-affecting sonic ability. Superior Mounted Combat (Ex): At sixth level and higher a Beast Rider is able to use her Mounted Combat feat a number of times per round equal to her Dexterity modifier. Improved Mounted Uncanny Dodge (Ex): While mounted, and only while mounted, a beast rider and her mount of 7th level or higher can no longer be flanked; they can react to opponents on opposite sides of themselves as easily as they can react to a single attacker. This defense denies a rogue the ability to sneak attack the Beast Rider and her mount by flanking her, unless the attacker has four more levels than the total character level of the Beast Rider. This ability is only usable while mounted and does not stack with Improved Uncanny Dodge from any other sources of. Superior Ride-By Attack (Ex): Starting at 8th level a Beast Rider is able to make as many attacks as her BAB would allow, albeit at a -5 for each iterative attack, to each enemy she can reach during a charge. BEAST RIDER MOUNT PROGRESSION Sblocked to keep the post clean! Level BonusHD NA Adj. Str/Dex Adj Bonus Tricks Special 1-2 +2 +4 +1 3 Empathic Link, Share Spells 3-4 +4 +6 +2 4 Evasion 5-6 +6 +8 +3 5 Devotion, Improved Speed 10’ 7-8 +8 +10 +4 6 Improved Evasion 9-10 +10 +12 +5 7 Improved Speed 20’ Bonus HD: Extra eight-sided (d8) Hit Dice, each of which gains a Constitution modifier, as normal. Extra Hit Dice improve the mounts base attack and base save bonuses. A special mounts base attack bonus is equal to that of a cleric of a level equal to the mounts HD. A mount has good Fortitude and Reflex saves (Treat as character of equal level to Beast Rider). The mount gains additional skill points, feats, and stat increases for these bonus HD as normal for advancing a monster’s Hit Dice. A mount size also improves as is normal for advancing a creatures HD. Natural Armor Adj.: The number on the table is an improvement to the mounts existing natural armor bonus. Str/Dex Adj.: Add this value to the mounts Strength and Dexterity scores. Bonus Tricks: The value given in this column is the total number of “bonus” tricks that the animal knows in addition to any that the beast rider might choose to teach it (see the Handle Animal skill). These bonus tricks don’t require any training time or Handle Animal checks, and they don’t count against the normal limit of tricks known by the animal. The beast rider selects these bonus tricks, and once selected, they can’t be changed. Empathic Link (Su): The rider has an empathic link with her mount out to a distance of up to 1 mile. The rider cannot see through the mounts eyes, but they can communicate empathically Because of the limited nature of the link, only general emotional content can be communicated. Because of this empathic link, the rider has the same connection to an item or place that her mount does. Share Spells: At the Beast Riders option, she may have any spell (but not any spell-like ability) cast upon herself also affect her mount. The mount must be within 5 feet of her at the time of casting to receive the benefit. If the spell or effect has a duration other than instantaneous, it stops affecting the mount if it moves farther than 5 feet away and will not affect the animal again, even if it returns to the Beast Rider before the duration expires. A Beast Rider and her mount can share spells even if the spells normally do not affect creatures of the companion’s type (animal). Evasion (Ex): If a Beast Riders mount is subjected to an attack that normally allows a Reflex saving throw for half damage, it takes no damage if it makes a successful saving throw. Devotion (Ex): A Beast Riders mount gains a +4 morale bonus on Will saves against enchantment spells and effects. Improved Evasion (Ex): When subjected to an attack that normally allows a Reflex saving throw for half damage, a Beast Riders mount takes no damage if it makes a successful saving throw and only half damage if the saving throw fails. Improved Speed (Ex): The mounts speed increases by 10 feet at level 5-6. It increases by another 10 feet at level 9-10, for a max of +20 to its move speeds. BEAST RIDER MOUNT BEASTIARY At first level a beast rider chooses a type of mount from the following table. Once a mount is chosen it can only be changed if the previous mount dies. From The Monster Manual (Also available in the SRD (http://www.d20srd.org/indexes/monsters.htm)): Bison, Dire Bear, Dire Boar, Rhinoceros, Dire Lion, Dire Tiger, Dire Wolf, Dire Wolverine, Deinonychus, or Megaraptor. Optional for Small Characters: Brown Bear, Boar, Giant Crocodile*, Lion, Tiger, Rhinoceros, Dire Ape, Dire Badger, Dire Bat, Dire Weasel. *More aquatic than land. These dinosaurs and other prehistoric beasties are courtesy of the folks over at The Dinosaur Menagerie (http://forums.gleemax.com/showthread.php?t=422781). *Denotes Aquatic **Denotes Mount for Small Character Basilosaurus* (http://forums.gleemax.com/showpost.php?p=13083422&postcount=1001) Bellesaurus (http://forums.gleemax.com/showpost.php?p=6081807&postcount=29) Brontornis** (http://forums.gleemax.com/showpost.php?p=11830362&postcount=808) Centrosaurus (http://forums.gleemax.com/showpost.php?p=7491686&postcount=165) Ceratosaurus (I think the CR should be 6) (http://forums.gleemax.com/showpost.php?p=7634873&postcount=315) Clidastes* (http://forums.gleemax.com/showpost.php?p=10301578&postcount=536) Desmatasuchus** (http://forums.gleemax.com/showpost.php?p=11493181&postcount=716) Dilophosaurus (http://forums.gleemax.com/showpost.php?p=6086730&postcount=55) Epanterias (http://forums.gleemax.com/showpost.php?p=12555505&postcount=917) Estemnosuchus (http://forums.gleemax.com/showpost.php?p=11410545&postcount=703) Eustreptospondylus** (http://forums.gleemax.com/showpost.php?p=7474137&postcount=155) Gasosaurus** (http://forums.gleemax.com/showpost.php?p=7773958&postcount=390) Gorgosaurus (http://forums.gleemax.com/showpost.php?p=13075581&postcount=999) Kentrosaurus** (http://forums.gleemax.com/showpost.php?p=6372399&postcount=121) Ornithumimus** (http://forums.gleemax.com/showpost.php?p=7681398&postcount=338) Pachycephalosaurus (http://forums.gleemax.com/showpost.php?p=13667576&postcount=1083) Pachyrhinosaurus (http://forums.gleemax.com/showpost.php?p=7500631&postcount=176) Pawpawsaurus (http://forums.gleemax.com/showpost.php?p=10693429&postcount=591) Protoceratops** (http://forums.gleemax.com/showpost.php?p=6082495&postcount=34) Saurolophus (http://forums.gleemax.com/showpost.php?p=6090183&postcount=69) Stokesosaurus (http://forums.gleemax.com/showpost.php?p=7703637&postcount=350) Styracosaurus (http://forums.gleemax.com/showpost.php?p=13706467&postcount=1101) Vulcanodon (http://forums.gleemax.com/showpost.php?p=11762090&postcount=777) Zuniceratops (http://forums.gleemax.com/showpost.php?p=6092768&postcount=71) Once again a big Thank You to the guys from The Dinosaur Menagerie PLAYING A BEAST RIDER You and your mount are inseparable, and anyone trying to keep the two of you apart is most likely an enemy. You are a master of the woodlands and have close ties to nature, rangers, and druids. Your unique bond with your mount will often make you an outcast from the rest of society, so by default your mount is both your ally and closest friend. Combat: Try and keep to more open areas where you can put your devastating charge attacks to good use. Without your mount you loose a lot of your combat ability, so keep your mount close at all times. Choose your battles carefully, and when possible open any combat with a full charge. Advancement: As you advance in level you could choose to focus on either your rage ability, by gaining Rage focused feats. Other options can include focusing on your dealing more damage with your charge attacks or increasing your mounted combat prowess by completing the Mounted Combat tree. Resources: Most beast riders have only themselves, their mounts, and the great outdoors as their only resource. Beast riders who are strongly connected to a village or tribe can count on said community for some support when needed, in exchange for their services as both hunter and protector. BEAST RIDERS IN THE WORLD Of all the savages I have met, the beast riders are among the most noble. They are as brave and valorous as any paladin, as focused as any monk, and as close to their beast-mounts as any cleric is to his god. The relationship between mount and rider was something more akin to that of close simlings rather than master and servant as we 'civilized' folks would see it. From the pages of Mélos Iarvenno’s On the Natural History of Asteriothe The University of Theneka, 1447 Beast riders are seen as something of an oddity by most 'civilized' societies. In the savage lands they hail from beast riders are looked upon with equal parts admiration, respect, and fear. The beast riders connection to her beast mount makes many regular folk uncomfortable. Daily Life: A typical day for a beast rider usually involves seeing to the needs of her beast companion before taking care of herself. If the rider is part of a village or tribe than she will often check with her chief or warlord before going out for the day to hunt, train, or just be alone with her mount. Those that survive alone spend the better part of their day seeing to the needs of their continued survival. Notables: Estria Kyrie is among the most famous of the beast riders living in the Vangstel Mountain region. Her exploits against the dangerous hill giants of the mountain range are spoke of far and wide. Another notable beast rider is the deranged and evil Diltoor Grimjow, a CE orc who was able to bond with a ferocious gorgosaurus. The two make their homes in the deepest parts of the Gestira Plains. Both Diltoor and his companion are well known for their raids on caravans crossing the prarie, as well as occasional forays into the settled lands of the elves. Diltoor has a small clan of like-minded (and either very brave or very stupid) orcs and humans who have trickled in over the years. Organizations: There are no formal organizations dedicated to beast riders. Each individual must find, befriend, and bond their own mount without assistance from anyone else. Occasionally older, more experienced beast riders will mentor a younger rider for a year or so while they gain a firm grasp of what being a beast rider entails. After this period of time the younger rider will be asked to leave (or violently driven off in the case of evil riders), and will not be welcome in the company of their teacher for at least one year while they prove themselves worthy of holding the title Beast Rider. NPC Reaction NPC reactions very greatly from place to place. In locations and regions where noble and good beast riders battle evil creatures and dangerous monsters they are seen as local heroes. In places overrun with evil beast riders they are viewed with fear and hatred. NPCs from civilized lands do not have enough contact with beast riders to have formed any sort of opinion. BEAST RIDERS IN THE GAME Beast riders will wreak havoc on groups of enemies in open places. In narrower spaces like dungeons they will be at a distinct disadvantage and therefor may become a burden for the rest of the party. Adaptation: The beast rider PrC fits well into any campaign setting that has a high degree of primitive and barbaric cultures. In campaigns that center around larger communities and towns the beast rider will make for a strange figure and should cause quite a stir in town. Encounters: Most encounters with NPC beast riders will be when the adventurers are moving through the beast riders territory. Depending on the alignment of the beast rider these meetings can range from friendly exchanges of news and companionship to all out life or death brawls. Other times the beast rider will either be going on a mission for her village or tribe, or coming back from a mission. Sample Encounter http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2125/2004105135_9a1690a83a.jpg The group has been walking through the thick woods all day, and as the sun begins to slowly sink beneath the horizon you search for a place to rest. The massive ancient trees begin to pool darkness as you come to a small clearing. To your surprise there is a large boar roasting on a spit over a cheery, roaring fire. As you approach the fire a female voice calls from the tree line a little further on, demanding you to identify yourselves and what your business in her camp is. As you respond you hear a deep, rumbling growl coming from the trees near the female voice. Then to your amazement a huge creature steps out of the growing darkness and into the light of the fire, balancing on two legs with the help of a tail twice the length of its body. It has a long snout full of dagger like teeth, two bone ridges running up either side of its snout, and three scythe like claws on the ends of its short arms. Mounted on the back of it is a lithe human woman, her thick mane of red hair hair caught up in a top knot. She looks down at you suspiciously. “My name is Estria Kyrie, this is my friend Rosthan, “she pats the dinosaur on the neck, “and we would be happy to share our fire and our food with fellow travelers.” Encounter Level 10: Estria Kyrie was never like the other girls of her tribe. When they were playing with dolls she was out stalking small animals. When the other girls began to notice boys, Estria was out in the woods for weeks at a time. When other girls began to marry, Estria was bringing down her fist big kill. Being so unlike the other girls she was shunned and took solace in stalking the woods alone. When Estria was just barely 15 the village bully, a brutish young man rumered to have the blood of orcs in his veins, tried to force himself on her. It was at this time that she was caught in the grip of a tremendous rage, and so struck the boy down with her bare hands. Already an outcast for her un-woman-like ways, she was quickly found guilty of murder and was summarily banished. With no home and nothing to call her own, Estria began adventuring. During her travels she learned she had an affinity for animals, in particular the big predators. Eventually she found herself alone in the middle of a huge forest far from civilization. It was here that she stumbled upon Rosthan, whose leg was badly injured and clearly infected. Using what little healing magics she had, Estria was able to heal Rosthans leg, and in so doing befriended the huge hunter. Since those long months in the woods Estria and Rosthan have been inseparable; traveling, hunting, and adventuring together. Estria considers Rosthan an equal which often makes other people uncomfortable, so they tend to avoid heavily populated or traveled areas. They usually prowl the foothills of the Vangstel Mts., hunting orcs and hill giants that stray to far from their valleys. Estria Kyrie Female Human Barbarian 5/Beast Rider5 Hit Dice: 5d12+5d10+10(+30Raging) (90hp/110hp Raging) Initiative: +2 (Dex) Speed: 40ft. (8 squares) Armor Class: 18 (+5 Rhino Hide, +2 Dex, +1 Deflection), touch 13, flat-footed 16 Base Attack/Grapple: +10/+12 Attack: +15 (+17) melee +1 Vicious Bone Longspear (1d8+2d6+2(+4) /x3) or +13 melee Masterwork Shortsword (1d6+2 19-20/x2) Full Attack: +15/+10 (+17/+12) melee +1 Vicious Bone Longspear (1d8+2d6+2(+4) /x3) or +11/+6/ and offhand +11 (+13/+8/+13) melee two (2x) Masterwork Shortswords (1d6+2 +4 19-20/x2) Space/Reach: 5ft./5ft. Special Attacks: Rage4/day, Mounted Combat Bonus +1, Shared Rage, +2d6 Damage on all charge attacks (Rhino Hide), Vicious Longspear (Deals +2d6 to Target and 1d6 to Wielder). Special Qualities: Fast Movement, Improved Uncanny Dodge, Trap Sense +1, Bonded Mount, Shared Damage Reduction 1/-, Ride Bonus +5, Mounted Uncanny Dodge Saves: Fort +9/(+11), Ref +4 , Will +3/(+5) Abilities: Str 14/18, Dex 15, Con 12/16, Int 10, Wis 8, Cha 10 Skills: Craft (Taxidermy) (Int) +4, Handle Animal (Cha) +15, Ride (Dex) +22, Survival (Wis) +11 Feats: Two Weapon Fighting, Mounted Combat, Ride-by Attack, Weapon Focus (Longspear), Improved Critical (Longspear) Challenge Rating: 10 Treasure: Standard Alignment: Chaotic Neutral ()Denotes Raging Languages: Common Equipment: Rhino Hide, +1 Vicious Bone Longspear, 2 Masterwork Shortswords, Ring of Protection +1, 2 Potions of Cure Light Wounds, Potion of Bears Endurance. Rosthan the Dilophosaurus Huge Animal Hit Dice: 10d8+30 (74 hp) Initiative: +3 Speed: 60 ft. (12 squares) Armor Class: 26 (-2 size, +3 Dex, +16 natural), touch 12, flat-footed 24 Base Attack/Grapple: +7/+11 Attack: Bite +16 melee (2d6+10) Full Attack: Bite +16 melee (1d8+10) and 2 claws +14 melee (1d8+5) Space/Reach: 20 ft./10 ft. Special Attacks: Pounce, spit (See Estria Kyrie above for additional abilities) Special Qualities: Low-light vision, scent, Empathic Link, Share Spells, Evasion, Devotion, Improved Speed (See Estria Kyrie above for additional abilities) Saves: Fort +13, Ref +11, Will +4 Abilities: Str 30, Dex 16, Con 22, Int 2, Wis 12, Cha 7 Skills: Hide +0, Jump +24, Listen +6, Move Silently +5, Spot +2 Feats: Multiattack, Power Attack Challenge Rating: 7 (When Alone) Combat Pounce (Ex): If Rosthan charges, it can make a full attack. This ability works even he carrying Estria. Spit (Ex): As a standard action, a dilophosaurus can spit up a gooey, black substance at an opponent within 60 feet. Any opponent hit with this attack must succeed on a DC 18 Reflex save or be blinded for 1d6 rounds. The save DC is Constitution based. Empathic Link (Su): Rosthan has an empathic link with Estria out to a distance of up to 1 mile. She cannot see through her mounts eyes, but they can communicate empathically. Because of the limited nature of the link, only general emotional content can be communicated. Because of this empathic link, Estria has the same connection to an item or place that her Mount does. Share Spells (Ex): At Estrias option, she may have any spell (but not any spell-like ability) cast upon herself also affect her Rosthan. Rosthan must be within 5 feet of her at the time of casting to receive the benefit. If the spell or effect has a duration other than instantaneous, it stops affecting Rosthan if it moves farther than 5 feet away and will not affect the animal again, even if it returns to within 5 feet of Estria before the duration expires. Estria and her mount can share spells even if the spells normally do not affect creatures of the companion’s type (animal). Evasion (Ex): If Rosthan is subjected to an attack that normally allows a Reflex saving throw for half damage, it takes no damage if it makes a successful saving throw. Devotion (Ex): As a beast riders mount Rosthan gains a +4 morale bonus on Will saves against enchantment spells and effects Tricks Known: Combat Riding (attack, come, defend, down, guard, and heel) Guarding (attack, defend, down, and guard) Hunting (attack, down, fetch, heel, seek, and track). Skills A dilophosaurus has a +4 racial bonus on Jump and Move Silently checks. PEACH Pickers: MaverickWolf deshrimp Devigod
MaverickWolf 07-26-07, 04:51 PM	First, that chart needs to be cleared up. It's really hard to read, because everything seems very clumped together. Second, why only chromatic half-dragon animals, and what's a 1/2 dragon animal got to do with this in the first place? It's not a nongood only PrC, so I see no reason not to allow 1/2 metallics, although I honestly don't see 1/2 dragon anything fitting well here. Third, you need a list of allowed creatures, like the druid's list for animal companions. Just saying 'what the DM will allow you to have' just doesn't cut it. Fourth, how does this interact if you come into it as a druid or ranger? Really, the entire concept fits those two classes much, much better anyway. Fifth, the ride bonus should just be 1/class level. Simple, streamline, no double-checking, and only 2 higher at the end. And this wouldn't be the first PrC with that bonus. Sixth, why is the lance not on the mounted weapon list anywhere? That is the archetypical mounted weapon after all. Seventh, why spell-like abilities? This is aimed at melee-heavy characters. Spell-like abilities simply don't make sense. Eighth: Full-mounted attack is useless. There is no rule saying you can't make a full attack while mounted. You just can't in the round your mount moves more than 5 feet. Ninth: Superior Ride-By Attack doesn't make sense. I like the thought, but if your mount isn't stopping at who you're attacking, you're not getting off a full attack. I do, however, like the idea of an attack that lets you attack as many people as your BAB would allow as you ride by(with the lowering bouns to attack as you go, as per normal with iterative attacks). Tenth: Inspire Confidence, War Charge, and Call to Arms seem out of place. Aside from those three seemingly random abilities, this doesn't feel very aimed at a teamwork idea at all. It's about you and your mount, and should be. Last but not least, Ride no longer requires you to select a specific type of creature it applies to. Ride is Ride, and that's it. I do not mean to make it sound as though I don't like the idea of the PrC, as I think we need more mounted combat PrCs, but I think you went about it the wrong way, and need to make a concrete decision on exactly who it should be for (barbarians, druids/rangers who already have ACs, etc.)? For example, if it's aimed at Barbarians, spell-like abilities really don't fit, but some sort of Share Rage and Mount DR ability would be cool, where druids and rangers should just advance in spellcasting (or maybe get new casting entirely, with more spells/day, but a much smaller, mount focused list).
DonThelonious 08-01-07, 10:51 AM	Made the changes you suggested and hope it looks a little cleaner as well. Thanks for the input and you were absolutely right about deciding which class to make it more suitable for. Great idea with the shared rage and damage reduction:w00t:. I hope this new version is better.
Khatoblepas 08-01-07, 02:50 PM	If the mount is slain, the Beast Rider immediately takes damage equal to her Beast Rider levels in d12’s and lose all class abilities. For example if a 5th level Beast Riders mount is slain in combat the rider would receive 5d12 damage and lose all class benefits. The Beast Rider must wait a year and a day before attempting to bond with another mount. No.
DonThelonious 08-05-07, 07:46 PM	Okay, I edited the Mount entry so that the cosequences of losing you mount are a little less dire, though I still want the loss of ones mount to be a serious thing so I stuck with the d12's for damage. I also added the ability Superior Mounted Combat so that it becomes a lot harder to kill a Beast Riders mount.
Ecureuil_Diabolique 08-05-07, 08:39 PM	If you space out your chart in a word processor (courier new works best) then place before and after it, it should look nice. Here's an example. Hello, I'm a chart.
DonThelonious 08-05-07, 10:06 PM	Thanks E_D that sure made it look a lot cleaner. I appreciate the help:thumbsup:
MaverickWolf 08-06-07, 11:23 AM	This looks much, much better than its original form. I do have a few other suggestions though. One, add the Ride Bonus into the write-up, or remove it from the chart. Either really works. Keeping or losing it shouldn't break this class one way or the other. If you keep it, it should only apply to their specific mount, for flavor reasons if nothing else. Two, the abilities of the mount need some modification, for this reason: The paladin mount progression was designed for a 20 level class. This is a 10-level Prestige Class, so it won't gain half of the abilities. In addition, making the mount intelligent doesn't make much sense for a barbarian class, nor does the barbarian have spells to share with it. The mount spell-like command ability doesn't make much sense either. It should probably be based more on the animal companion chart than the special mount chart (although either/or requires some modification). If I have some time, I may come up with a possible working progression for it later. Three, I think it should require Rage to get in. It's currently very much aimed at barbarians (which I'm quite cool with, I've considered doing a PrC for that myself - I just never get around to writing up my PrC ideas), and I think the Rage requirement reinforces that. Then the Rage class ability should ssay that it stacks with whatever class you have that grants Rage for rages/day and upgraded versions of rage. That said, why does this class have Diplomacy as a class skill? Diplomacy isn't used for animals anyway. And why doesn't it have Survival? That's required to get in. I think it should be a 4 skill point class with the barbarian list minus Listen (and an ability that allows the mount to act as though it possessed the barbarian's ranks in physical skills as part of the mount progression - starting at 1/2 ranks and using full ranks later). It should also have Craft, but I'm inclined to believe that should be a class skill for EVERYONE anyway. The only ability I'm still questioning is Aura of Confidence. It just doesn't seem to fit the flavor of the class, what with the whole 'bonded mount' idea. This just isn't designed for inspiring people. That would be some sort of mounted cavalier class (and is a good PrC concept, just not one that works here). You should be able to remove it entirely without making the class underpowered (especially if you return the Ride bonus). I read your flavor reasons for it, but this class just doesn't back them up. Perhaps instead, you could design a feat for those tribal leaders to take that does the same thing.
DonThelonious 08-06-07, 07:21 PM	Okay, made a few of the changes suggested by MaverickWolf, I had to agree about the Aura of Confidence idea. I am thinking of building another PrC class based off the idea though. I have yet to sit down and work up a mount progression table, but I will get on it soon and should have it up by Wed night.
Ecureuil_Diabolique 08-06-07, 08:38 PM	Looks good, although I wouldn't double space the chart. Your choice though, obviously. Good job, Don :thumbsup:
DonThelonious 08-08-07, 07:56 AM	alright, I added a picture and have fixed my tables so everything should be a lot cleaner. Thought the image was really to good not to add since I put the entire class description into a female sense. Will have the mount progression as well as a sample Beast Rider up as soon as possible.
DonThelonious 09-07-07, 10:45 PM	Added: Mount Progression Table List of available prehistoric Mounts (C/O The Dinosaur Menagerie) Added a quote
DonThelonious 09-09-07, 12:36 AM	Updated: Got a start on a sample Beast Rider. Wasn't sure what levels to make it so I went 5/5. Finding out just what a pain in the burro it is to throw one of these together.
deshrimp 09-14-07, 12:34 AM	Hit Die: d10Ok Requirements To qualify to become a Beast Rider, a character must fulfill all the following criteria: Base Attack Bonus: +5 Skills: Ride 8 Ranks, Handle Animal 4 Ranks, Survival 8 Ranks. Feats: Mounted Combat, Ride-By Attack Class Ability: Rage Special: The first step on the path of the Beast Rider is going out in the wild alone and making peaceful contact with the selected mounts type. The potential Beast Rider must befriend and earn the trust of her future companion. This process takes one month in which the applicant and the beast learn to work together.First, increase the BAB to at least +6. skills are good, just raise them one more each. Rage ability good. special is good. Class skills The Beast-Riders class skills (and key ability for each skill) are: Craft (Any) (Int), Handle Animal (Cha), Intimidate (Cha), Jump (Str), Profession (any) (Wis), Ride (Dex). and Survival (Wis) Skill Points at Each Level: 4 + Int modifier.Ok, id add jump to the list. and maybe spot. gotta see good while your mounted otherwise your at a disadvantage. Maybe, Maybe consider lowering the points to 2 + Int. The Beast Rider Lvl BAB F R W Special 1st +1 +2 +0 +2 Bonded Mount, Mounted Weapon Bonus +1 (Spear/Lance), Rage 1/day, Ride Bonus +1 2nd +2 +3 +0 +3 Mounted Weapon Bonus +1 (Spear/Lance/Javelin), Charge, Shared Damage Reduction 1/-, Ride Bonus +2 3rd +3 +3 +1 +3 Spirited Charge, Mounted Weapon Bonus +2 (Spear/Lance), Ride Bonus +3 4th +4 +4 +1 +4 Mounted Uncanny Dodge, Mounted Weapon Bonus +2 (Spear/Lance/Javelin), Ride Bonus +4 5th +5 +4 +1 +4 Rage 2/day, Mounted Weapon Bonus +3 (Spear Or Lance), Ride Bonus +5, Shared Rage, DR 2/- 6th +6 +5 +2 +5 Mounted Weapon Bonus +3 (Spear/Lance/Javelin), Superior Mounted Combat, Ride Bonus +6 7th +7 +5 +2 +5 Improved Mounted Uncanny Dodge, Mounted Weapon Bonus +4 (Spear/Lance), Ride Bonus +7 8th +8 +6 +2 +6 Superior Ride-By Attack, Mounted Weapon Bonus +4 (Spear/Lance/Javelin), DR 3/-, Ride Bonus +8 9th +9 +6 +3 +6 Mounted Weapon Bonus +5 (Spear/Lance), Ride Bonus +9 10th +10 +7 +3 +7 Mounted Weapon Bonus+5 (Spear/Lance/Javelin), Rage 3/day, Ride Bonus +10, War Chant ? Why a good Will save? A good Fort i understand, and a good Ref would be fine too. but why a good Will. BAB looks fine. Weapon and Armor Proficiency: Beast Riders are proficient with all simple and martial weapons, with all types of armor and all shields.Give them lance type weapons only. otherwise they should already have most weapons. and armor id limit to light or medium. Bonded Mount: A Beast Rider gains a special mount to serve her, chosen from the list below. This creature is stronger and more intelligent than others of its type. A Beast Rider may have only one mount at a time. If the mount is slain, the Beast Rider immediately takes damage equal to her Beast Rider levels in d12’s. For example if a 5th level Beast Riders mount is slain in combat the rider would receive 5d12 damage. The Beast Rider must wait at least 3 months for the emotional scars to heal before attempting to bond with another mount. Most often times thoguh, the Beast Rider will choose to die alongside her mount, whether from combat or self inflicted. Use The Paladins Mount side bar on pg. 45 of the Players Handbook for the special powers of a Beast Riders mount.How is the beast special? Id make them undergo a month long ritual with the beast where they spend time bonding with the mount. This bonding is what makes the beast smarter and stronger. Why does the rider take damage? Id say have the rider suffer a penalty to attacks, saves, skills etc., untill they either raise the beast, or give the beast a proper burial. Mounted Weapon Bonus (Ex): At each level a Beast Rider gains the indicated bonus on her attack roll with designated weapon while mounted.Simply give them a bonus to thier attacks. dont limit them to a specific weapon. but state the bonus only applies when mounted. Rage (Ex): A Beast Rider can fly into a rage just as the Barbarian ability of the same name. She gains the standard +4 bonus to Strength, +4 bonus to Constitution, a +2 morale bonus on Will saves, and a -2 penalty to Armor Class. This increases to 2/day at level 5 and finally 3/day at level 10. This ability stacks with the number of uses per day and any special rage abilities granted from another class. Charge (Ex): A Beast Rider can use a spear or lance to deal double damage when used from the back of a charging mount. The Spirited Charge feat can be used to increase the damage multiple to triple normal.decent for now Ride Bonus +X: Starting at first level, and for every level thereafter, a Beast Rider gains the indicated bonus to all ride checks while on her mount. This bonus does not apply when the Beast Rider is riding anything other than her bonded mount.ok Shared Damage Reduction (Ex): Beginning at 2nd level a mounted Beast Rider and her mount have seen enough combat together they are able to shrug off a small amount of injury from any blow or attack. Subtract 1 from the damage the Beast Rider or her mount takes each time either one is dealt damage from a weapon or natural attack. At 5th level and again at 8th level this reduction increases by 1 point.this is ok. But have it apply only while mounted. Spirited Charge (Ex): At third level the Beast Rider gains Spirited Charge as a bonus feat.[/quote]Ok. Mounted Uncanny Dodge (Ex): Starting at 4th level, while mounted a Beast Rider and her mount gain the ability to react to danger before either of their individual senses would normally allow them to do so. They retain their Dex bonus’ to AC (if any) even if they are caught flat footed or struck by an invisible attacker. However they still lose their Dex bonus to AC if they are immobilized. This only works while mounted so it does not stack with Uncanny dodge from any other source.this is ok Shared Rage (Su): At 5th level the Beast Rider and her mount are so attuned with each other that her mount gains all the benefits and penalties the rider gains when she uses her rage ability while mounted.[quote]Decent works for now. [QUOTE=DonThelonious;13197947]Superior Mounted Combat (Ex): At sixth level and higher a Beast Rider is able to use her Mounted Combat feat a number of times per round equal to her Dex modifier.Dont remember what that feat does offhand. but for now. its ok. Improved Mounted Uncanny Dodge (Ex): A Beast Rider of 7th level or higher can no longer be flanked while mounted; she can react to opponent on opposite sides of her as easily as she can react to a single attacker. This defense denies a rogue the ability to sneak attack the Beast Rider by flanking her, unless the attacker has four more levels than the total character level of the Beast Rider. This ability is only usable while mounted and does not stack with any other sources of Improved Uncanny Dodge.use the description for Improved Uncanny Dodge, otherwise good. Superior Ride-By Attack (Ex): Starting at 8th level a Beast Rider is able to make as many attacks as her BAB would allow, albeit at a -5 for each iterative attack, to each enemy she can reach during a charge.Neat. but maybe to good. Ill think about it. War Chant (Su): At 10th level a Beast Rider is able to Inspire Greatness. 1/Day the Beast Rider can begin a chant to inspire greatness in her mount, granting it extra fighting capability. To inspire greatness, a Beast Rider must chant and the mount must hear the chant. The effect lasts for as long as the mount hears the Beast Rider chant and for 5 rounds thereafter. A creature inspired with greatness gains 2 bonus Hit Dice (d10’s), the commensurate number of temporary hit points (apply the targets constitution modifier, if any, to these bonus Hit Dice), a +2 competence bonus on attack rolls (this stacks with the Beast Riders Aura of Confidence), and a +1 competence bonus on fortitude saves. The bonus Hit Dice count as regular Hit Dice for determining the effect of spells such as sleep. This ability is usable while raging. Inspire Greatness is a mind-affecting ability.does this apply to the mount and the rider only? and what is this aura of confidence you speak of? JUST a side note, It seems a little too packed. I'll get a better look at this later. Just wanted to give you the basic rundown of where things as they are now, need changing. Ill look at the mounts sections later.
MaverickWolf 09-14-07, 12:55 AM	Ok First, increase the BAB to at least +6. skills are good, just raise them one more each. I'm rather curious as to why you suggest this. The average PrC is set up to be entered at 6th level (i.e., you have 5 levels of classes, then your first level of PrC). The current requirements do that perfectly. There's no reason to have them adjusted so you can't enter the class until 7th level.
DonThelonious 09-14-07, 02:38 AM	Ok First, increase the BAB to at least +6. My intent was to have this class entered at 6th level. Ok, id add jump to the list. and maybe spot. gotta see good while your mounted otherwise your at a disadvantage. Maybe, Maybe consider lowering the points to 2 + Int. I hadn't thought about it, but those seem like good and relevant skills. Will update, thanks. Why a good Will save? A good Fort i understand, and a good Ref would be fine too. but why a good Will. To be honest I based most of this class off of the Waverider PrC from savage species, as for the good Will save I figure with the bond to an animal mount it should reflect on the basic primal instincts for the character. Give them lance type weapons only. otherwise they should already have most weapons. and armor id limit to light or medium. I was thinking about that. It makes sense. How is the beast special? Id make them undergo a month long ritual with the beast where they spend time bonding with the mount. This bonding is what makes the beast smarter and stronger. Why does the rider take damage? Id say have the rider suffer a penalty to attacks, saves, skills etc., untill they either raise the beast, or give the beast a proper burial. The Beast Rider already had to go through a month long ritual with his chosen mount just to enter the PrC. I specifically made it a requirement. As to why the rider takes damage I figured the rider and the beast have an empathic link that if severed would cause severe damage. I wanted to make it clear that most times the rider DIES with the beast even if he/she is uninjured, its that traumatic of an experience. Simply give them a bonus to thier attacks. dont limit them to a specific weapon. but state the bonus only applies when mounted. You have a point there. War Chant:does this apply to the mount and the rider only? and what is this aura of confidence you speak of? War Chant only applies to the mount and rider, and the Aura Of Confidance was another ability that gave all characters, that join the beast rider in a charge, a bonus to all attacks that round. Thanks for taking the time to check it out.
deshrimp 09-14-07, 09:11 PM	My intent was to have this class entered at 6th level.Understand that, but think of this. Its a pretty decent and powerful class. Entering it on 7th level (like the Dwarven Defender which is weaker) seems to help balance it a bit. To be honest I based most of this class off of the Waverider PrC from savage species, as for the good Will save I figure with the bond to an animal mount it should reflect on the basic primal instincts for the character.Ok. Primal instincts are just that, instinct. Wisdom reflects a higher state of mind, and thus, a more primitive based class would be more on the strength, fortitude, and reflexes. The Beast Rider already had to go through a month long ritual with his chosen mount just to enter the PrC. I specifically made it a requirement. As to why the rider takes damage I figured the rider and the beast have an empathic link that if severed would cause severe damage. I wanted to make it clear that most times the rider DIES with the beast even if he/she is uninjured, its that traumatic of an experience.Traumatic yes, severe damage no. Its an emotional event. Thus the penalties to the rider are perfect. you could also have it impose a state of extreme sorrow, which inflicts slow as the spell on the rider. War Chant only applies to the mount and rider, and the Aura Of Confidance was another ability that gave all characters, that join the beast rider in a charge, a bonus to all attacks that round.so Aura of Confidence is gone? Also to help clear up the table you got a bit, instead of Ride Bonus +X at every level, try this. Ride Bonus (Ex): Beast Riders are undisputable riders. Beast Riders gain a bonus on all Ride checks equal to his/her class level.
DonThelonious 09-15-07, 06:39 PM	That sounds good. Thanks.
DonThelonious 09-21-07, 05:05 AM	Okay, I updated the PrC and went with a few of deshrimps suggestions. I still need to get the level progression table cleaned up a bit, but overall I think this is getting better and better. Thanks deshrimp.:cookie: You've earned it.
DonThelonious 10-02-07, 07:20 AM	:bump: Come on. Give some input.
DonThelonious 10-12-07, 07:08 AM	:bump: Anybody out there?
DonThelonious 11-04-07, 03:55 AM	Just a little :bump: to remind everyone this is still here.
DonThelonious 11-29-07, 06:12 AM	Just finished off putting a sample beast rider up:D
DonThelonious 12-30-07, 04:56 AM	Bippity boppity :bump:
LunarWolfPrime 12-31-07, 02:49 PM	You have done a great job with this:D
DonThelonious 12-31-07, 05:46 PM	You have done a great job with this:D Thank You! I am very proud of it.
Devigod 01-01-08, 06:53 PM	Okay, this is meant to be taken purely as constructive criticism. Here are my suggestions for this very nifty class: Mounted Uncanny Dodge seems a tad redundant, in that, if this is a barbarian prestige class, a barbarian would already have this ability. They gain it at 2nd level, if I'm not mistaken and 4th level of a prestige class seems a bit late to me. If you want a mount to be affected by uncanny dodge, I suppose you could put it into the table, but this just seems a bit off. I would also completely take out improved uncanny dodge. I think quadruple damage from stacking Charge and Spirited Charge is a bit much here. I would keep spirited charge at 3rd level and ixnay charge out of 2nd. The difference between charge+spirited charge, the class loses little when it still gains a triple to mounted damage, I think it can stand to lose charge. As for the mounted weapon/lance thing, I think they already have enough incentive to use a lance/spear with the damage multiplier, you can comfortably change all the Mounted Weapon Bonus +1 (Spear/Lance) to Mounted Weapon Bonus +1. Seriously. This change is just easier to swallow and makes the graph much more compact. I would cut back on the progression for this ability, though. They have a base attack bonus, and having this ability gives them a chance to hit that is over the top. Refer to Knight of the Chalice, for example in C. Warrior, while a mediocre class, it is one that specializes in slaying demons. It only ends up getting a +4 against demons, a beast rider will get this bonus while mounted, which should be most of the time. I would add in Mounted Weapon bonus at 2nd level and improve it at 5th and 8th, so that it hits about +3. That makes it more fair in my eyes. Do not worry though, I am not just downpowering your class, I am trying to help balance it. You might want to clarify shared rage. In the book it's found, it is called Shared Fury, and states the following "When you rage, your animal companion <-Switch to chosen mount gains the same benefits and penalties from your rage that you do, but only if it is within 5 feet of you. The companion's rage ends when your rage ends, or as soon as you are no longer within 5 feet of your companion." But move it from 5th level to a 1st level ability, a Beast Rider quickly forms a bond with their companion when they charge into battle. Just make the number of rages you get per day equal to the number you would get from adding the classes. For example, if you were a barbarian 5/ beast rider 7 you rage the same number of times per day as a 12th level barbarian. This means they won't be raging more than a barbarian. You can also move war chant from 10th level down to replace the 5th level ability. At 5th, let them chant 1/day and move it to 2/day at 10th. You might want to make some sort of check necessary. I would echoe the comment of the Will save, barbarians and rangers lack will as a good save and druids only have it because they cast spells, I would suggest taking it out. They'll live just fine statistically with a Full BAB and a good save. You can also safely move skills back up to 4 + int. Okay, there are my suggestions. That takes something that was very powerful to something still powerful, but more fair relative to other classes. As for the fluff, I think a proper buriel is enough without the atonement spell, atonement is for a moral sin that is against your character's nature or something done wrong, but a mount's death is not something they did wrong, he wasn't a paladin that just went berserk and killed an innocent. Those are the changes I'd make. Good luck with balancing, if you decide to further, and I hope that my input helps to shape this class into what you desired. I really like the idea, this is one of the coolest Prestige Classes I've ever seen. Can I link this to my sig under cool things others have done?
DonThelonious 01-02-08, 12:13 AM	Okay, this is meant to be taken purely as constructive criticism. Here are my suggestions for this very nifty class: Mounted Uncanny Dodge seems a tad redundant, in that, if this is a barbarian prestige class, a barbarian would already have this ability. They gain it at 2nd level, if I'm not mistaken and 4th level of a prestige class seems a bit late to me. If you want a mount to be affected by uncanny dodge, I suppose you could put it into the table, but this just seems a bit off. I would also completely take out improved uncanny dodge. I think quadruple damage from stacking Charge and Spirited Charge is a bit much here. I would keep spirited charge at 3rd level and ixnay charge out of 2nd. The difference between charge+spirited charge, the class loses little when it still gains a triple to mounted damage, I think it can stand to lose charge. As for the mounted weapon/lance thing, I think they already have enough incentive to use a lance/spear with the damage multiplier, you can comfortably change all the Mounted Weapon Bonus +1 (Spear/Lance) to Mounted Weapon Bonus +1. Seriously. This change is just easier to swallow and makes the graph much more compact. I would cut back on the progression for this ability, though. They have a base attack bonus, and having this ability gives them a chance to hit that is over the top. Refer to Knight of the Chalice, for example in C. Warrior, while a mediocre class, it is one that specializes in slaying demons. It only ends up getting a +4 against demons, a beast rider will get this bonus while mounted, which should be most of the time. I would add in Mounted Weapon bonus at 2nd level and improve it at 5th and 8th, so that it hits about +3. That makes it more fair in my eyes. Do not worry though, I am not just downpowering your class, I am trying to help balance it. You might want to clarify shared rage. In the book it's found, it is called Shared Fury, and states the following "When you rage, your animal companion <-Switch to chosen mount gains the same benefits and penalties from your rage that you do, but only if it is within 5 feet of you. The companion's rage ends when your rage ends, or as soon as you are no longer within 5 feet of your companion." But move it from 5th level to a 1st level ability, a Beast Rider quickly forms a bond with their companion when they charge into battle. Just make the number of rages you get per day equal to the number you would get from adding the classes. For example, if you were a barbarian 5/ beast rider 7 you rage the same number of times per day as a 12th level barbarian. This means they won't be raging more than a barbarian. You can also move war chant from 10th level down to replace the 5th level ability. At 5th, let them chant 1/day and move it to 2/day at 10th. You might want to make some sort of check necessary. I would echoe the comment of the Will save, barbarians and rangers lack will as a good save and druids only have it because they cast spells, I would suggest taking it out. They'll live just fine statistically with a Full BAB and a good save. You can also safely move skills back up to 4 + int. Okay, there are my suggestions. That takes something that was very powerful to something still powerful, but more fair relative to other classes. As for the fluff, I think a proper buriel is enough without the atonement spell, atonement is for a moral sin that is against your character's nature or something done wrong, but a mount's death is not something they did wrong, he wasn't a paladin that just went berserk and killed an innocent. Those are the changes I'd make. Good luck with balancing, if you decide to further, and I hope that my input helps to shape this class into what you desired. I really like the idea, this is one of the coolest Prestige Classes I've ever seen. Can I link this to my sig under cool things others have done? Okay, sweet! I have been feeling that the class was a tad overpowered, and I have been working on the 2.0 version for the last few days. The 2.0 version is a bit more balanced and cleaned up a lot. Some of your suggestions will be incorporated in the 2.0 version, thank you very much. You are more than welcome to put this in your sig. I am glad you like it:D.
DonThelonious 01-26-08, 05:09 PM	Updated the beast rider to a new format and edited the abilities so that the class is more balanced and the progression table is cleaned up. Added another dino to the bestiary.
LunarWolfPrime 01-26-08, 06:10 PM	This will be great for that Talenta halfling ranger ,with a Mega Raptoras a mount that I am thinking about playing soon.
DonThelonious 01-26-08, 09:36 PM	Thats what I made it for:D. Hope your halfling puts a hurting on his enemies:bounce:
LunarWolfPrime 01-27-08, 08:05 PM	take a look into this prc http://forums.gleemax.com/showthread.php?p=14039599 think about it a lvl5 barbarian, lvl10 beast rider and lvl 5 Talenta Spirit warrior