Post/Author/DateTime	Post
Fort deadly kick 08-16-05, 01:15 PM	I'm wondering because I've been fooling around with the players handbook and managed to create a cool riding dog'ed halfling fighter. It all looks cool on paper, but would an average dungeon crawl leave room for a riding dog?
Capt. Pixel 08-16-05, 01:40 PM	Yes, but... Dogs are rather limited in their climbing ability. If the dungeon has lots of pitfalls or walls that must be climbed, other methods will be needed for the dog. (perhaps a cat?) Other than that, they would be able to jump, swim, run etc. as well as any other medium sized creature.
Callista 08-16-05, 01:58 PM	Just train the dog to be lifted up any required climb in a harness. Your local orcish barbarian should be able to do the lifting easily, and if you have a few weeks, just do your Handle Animal and train the dog. I think it counts as more than a simple trick, but it should be doable. In a pinch, a normal handle animal can be used to "push" the dog to accept being hauled up if necessary.
Fort deadly kick 08-16-05, 02:00 PM	They can do all that considerably better than most. Jump +8, listen and spot +5, he's a veritable little dickens ninja. Does anyone know if I'd get the jump bonus if I'm riding him? PLH isn't giving anything up.
Duration_10_Rounds 08-16-05, 03:07 PM	Hmm the average difference between 1d6 and 1d8 is 1 (the total diff between 6 and 8 is 2 making the average of that difference on a random roll 1). Light lances are 1d6 heavy lances are 1d8 ..... :whatsthis So a halfling mounted fighter only does 1 damage(on average) less with a light lance... AND its finessable allowing him to employ the bonus of his races stat bonus... and his mount is fit for a hell of a lot more common adventuring enviroments than a warhourse... :whatsthis Ok max damage per hit is lower than most other fighter race becuase of his lower strength BUT your over all damage will be higher becuase you will be lancing your foes for x3 damage (feats permitting) all the time coz Poochy will be with you almost always. I want a Gnome or Halfling Lancer :D!!!!
cmrscorpio 08-16-05, 03:21 PM	I agree that you need to teach the dog the trick of allowing it to be picked up and placed in a harness, and possibly teach it to be able to do dungeoneering. Also, you might find it advantageous to have your party caster make (or you yourself buy) a wand of Reduce to be used when the dog needs to be transported by you. The dog's jump bonus while you are riding him is dependent on how encumbered the dog is while you are riding him. PHB p 162 has the check penalty associated with loads on table 9-2.
Duration_10_Rounds 08-16-05, 03:24 PM	I think a dog trained enough to be ridden and brave incombat is trained enough to be winched up on a rope. After all its just a simple act of bravery and trust, its not physicaly doing anything special.
Devinstater 08-16-05, 03:42 PM	I don't think you need to teach it to do dungeoneering, as a riding dog counts as war trained, like a warhorse.
Duration_10_Rounds 08-16-05, 03:54 PM	Yeah if its brave enough to square up to an owlbear or troll... i dont think a dark underground cavern/dungeon etc is going to phase it much. A domestic dog will let you lift it off the floor (often dangling by a toy ball your trying to wrestle form it) and wont think twice about following its master into a dark dank corridoor....The dog cant weigh up whats "spooky" the way we can.
DarknessEternal 08-16-05, 04:16 PM	So a halfling mounted fighter only does 1 damage(on average) less with a light lance... AND its finessable No it isn't. A Small Lance is a two-handed weapon for a Small person. Two-handed weapons cannot generally be used with Weapon Finesse.
Red_Ninja 08-16-05, 04:27 PM	Definitly possible- harness and wand of reduce are also great ideas! also consider... as you go up in level... -you turn him to stone and put him in your bag of holding, then "thaw" him when you need him/its safe -feed him potions of flying- then no problem getting anywhere...even down dangerous pitfalls...especially good at early levels when you might not have that spell available in your party -cast enlarge on him for SUPER PUPPY! this is GREAT!
Duration_10_Rounds 08-16-05, 05:22 PM	No it isn't. A Small Lance is a two-handed weapon for a Small person. Two-handed weapons cannot generally be used with Weapon Finesse. Yup....but on hourse back it becomes one handed so how does that work out? can you finesse it but only use finesse while mounted.... ok it spunks in the face of what fineese is all about but it does become a 1 handed weapon while mounted. But i suppose you dont really need it as a halflings -2 to str only reprisents a -1 to damage and hit so you might as well max out strength on said halfing and live with a 16 rather than 18 and just dont bother with finnese. 3d6+24 is respectable damage form a power attack at level 5 for a little halfling who gets to charge attack while mounted with a lance in so many places other players cant.
DarknessEternal 08-16-05, 05:54 PM	Yup....but on hourse back it becomes one handed so how does that work out? can you finesse it but only use finesse while mounted.... No, you can never use Weapon Finesse with a Lance. It is never a light weapon, and it doesn't have special rules allowing it to be used with Weapon Finesse. No matter the size of the Lance in question, it will never be "finessable".
Samusic 08-16-05, 06:31 PM	Why don't you just take a look at the Halfling Outrider class from Complete Warrior?
Duration_10_Rounds 08-16-05, 07:53 PM	Ahh im only just making the transistion to 3.5 there is weight as well as size now? makes more sense that way i guess. Halfling out riders are a tad sucky if they are any thing like the 3.0 Sword and fist verisons. They can deflect an attack against thier hourse with a ref check of 20, Ride fast in short bursts leaving the mount knackered and jump from a moving hourse.... and thats it (like i say unless they changed them) The OP is more concerned about using his little mounty in dungeons so the Outriders ability to make his mount run faster is of little use under ground. The Cavalier (if still about) is probably a better bet..... with its x4 Lance charge, + to hit wile mounted, ever scaling ride bonus(vs the outriders flat +2), an aditional bonus to ride when his mount is attacked AND he can get a burst of speed for his mount.
Helmed Horror 08-16-05, 09:33 PM	a question to answer a questoin: can a saint bernard fit through a standard door?
Duration_10_Rounds 08-16-05, 10:26 PM	can a saint bernard fit through a standard door? No frikken WAY! they are about 80ft tall d00d! http://www.swiss-st-bernard-dog.ch/IMG_6445.JPG Those folks there are infact Titans, the fat one on the end is Cronos, i believe, and the cheesy looking dork in the gingham shirt is Rhea his wife. :rolleyes:
Duration_10_Rounds 08-16-05, 10:34 PM	Some more photos of the saint bernards on the war path: http://www.imgsrv.worldstart.com/store/images/clifford-readingpck-scrn1.jpg http://www.fortune3.com/~comp74688/31342637.jpg They seem to come in all colours and sizes as long as they are Red and F:censored:ing HUGE Sorry :P
SnowbearK 08-16-05, 11:28 PM	Halflings and Gnomes on riding dogs most certainly CAN adventure underground with their mounts. It's all about size. Heck, grab a Gnome, a riding dog, make him a paladin, name him Sir Didymus... :D
Duration_10_Rounds 08-16-05, 11:37 PM	Halflings and Gnomes on riding dogs most certainly CAN adventure underground with their mounts. It's all about size. Heck, grab a Gnome, a riding dog, make him a paladin, name him Sir Didymus... :D Yup it makes small characters on dogs far more viable mounted warriors as far as adventurers go than other races a level 5 Gnome Fighter using Mounted Combat, Ride-by-attack, Sprited Charge, Power attack & Power Lunge at 16 strength, doing a 5 pt power attack could do: 3d6+60 damage in one (non-crit) hit! Not just on the occasional above ground skirmish but in dungones, aboard ships, in houses... anywhere he could take his dog (which is pretty much any where agroup can go. :D
cmrscorpio 08-17-05, 08:28 AM	[QUOTE=Red_Ninja] -you turn him to stone and put him in your bag of holding, then "thaw" him when you need him/its safe QUOTE] It's called a Figurine of Wondrous Power: Onyx Dog. ;) Unfortunately, the Figurine can only be used for 6 hours/week.
Red_Ninja 08-17-05, 10:26 AM	thats right! the figurines can make that effect easy to repeat!
nyysjan 08-17-05, 12:05 PM	forget dogs crab the Eberron Campaign Setting and get your halfling a Dinosuar Velociraptors make good mounts :D
High Octane 08-17-05, 12:13 PM	Halflings and Gnomes on riding dogs most certainly CAN adventure underground with their mounts. It's all about size. Heck, grab a Gnome, a riding dog, make him a paladin, name him Sir Didymus... :D I love you. Actually I love the Labyrinth. You I don't care about. Anyway, if the druid can bring his wolf companion into the dungeon, then your halfling can bring along his rideable poodle. Good luck finding a decent use for him really, since your handle animal skills and ride checks will be tested like nobody's business.
Fort deadly kick 08-17-05, 01:05 PM	Veloceraptors haven't got nothing. So far I've been knocked out almost five times, stayed on the saddle, and the dog went on to score criticals on three githyanki [sic] Does anyone know if the ride-by-attack feat requires you to overrun them? I'd imagine the straight line of charge means straight through them.
Duration_10_Rounds 08-17-05, 01:32 PM	It would usualy require an Overrun to move right through their square. BUT you could attack a foe off to the side .. jousters dont run headlong at each other, they are off to each others side. There is no rule i can find that says you cant hit a foe to the side of you in a square you would normal threaten while performing a ride-by. Rideby would also make you exempt from the AoO for running out of that foes threatened space. In fact, this immunity to the AoO from the attacker seems to imply this is exaclty what Ride-by was made for (its called ride-by not ride over ;) ) if you always had to over run there would be no need for the AoO imunity. Character----\Strike--------> _____________\Foe
Capt. Pixel 08-17-05, 02:03 PM	forget dogs crab the Eberron Campaign Setting and get your halfling a Dinosuar Velociraptors make good mounts :D Forget velociraptors Wolf is the way to go. That free Trip feat is just too handy, and they can advance their HD. Just give them XP like an NPC and they should remain useful and survivable for many more PC levels than a dog (or a velociraptor.. pah!) :cool:
Fort deadly kick 08-17-05, 04:18 PM	Riding dogs also get free trip, and hopefully they also advance in HD.
nyysjan 08-17-05, 04:35 PM	Forget velociraptors Wolf is the way to go. That free Trip feat is just too handy, and they can advance their HD. Just give them XP like an NPC and they should remain useful and survivable for many more PC levels than a dog (or a velociraptor.. pah!) :cool: bah. wolf is only a barbarian version of the dog Dinosaurs are just too nifty not to have'and velociraptor (AKA Clawfoot) can also advance and they have more attacks and do more damage just take the spiked chain and improced trip for yourself and let the dino do the damage :D
Capt. Pixel 08-17-05, 08:29 PM	bah. wolf is only a barbarian version of the dog Dinosaurs are just too nifty not to have'and velociraptor (AKA Clawfoot) can also advance and they have more attacks and do more damage just take the spiked chain and improced trip for yourself and let the dino do the damage :D Phooey! Velociraptors are just flightless, over-grown roosters with a bad attitude and a reptilian brain (woo-hoo, best of both worlds,eh?) At least a wolf can be cuddly and help ya get chicks. (there's that Trip feat again ;) ) Although I do like the halfling-velociraptor-spiked chain concept. Sounds like a real mother-****er to fight with. :eek:
Elrana 08-17-05, 09:10 PM	It would usualy require an Overrun to move right through their square. BUT you could attack a foe off to the side .. jousters dont run headlong at each other, they are off to each others side. There is no rule i can find that says you cant hit a foe to the side of you in a square you would normal threaten while performing a ride-by. Rideby would also make you exempt from the AoO for running out of that foes threatened space. In fact, this immunity to the AoO from the attacker seems to imply this is exaclty what Ride-by was made for (its called ride-by not ride over ;) ) if you always had to over run there would be no need for the AoO imunity. Character----\Strike--------> _____________\Foe You are missing far too much potential roleplaying opportunity by doing this with anything other than a bow. First you have to ride by them slowly, maintaining eye contact and pronouncing all your Ss like they were Zs, then later come by at speed with your bow at the ready and perform a ride by shooting! Potential character quote - "This dungeon ain't sh1t, it's just like life in the hood!" :)
nyysjan 08-18-05, 06:01 AM	Although I do like the halfling-velociraptor-spiked chain concept. Sounds like a real mother-****er to fight with. :eek: Yeah that's the Talenta Halfling to the core, and just wait till he's buddies come along, not to mention airsupport. :D Pteranodon + Halfling rider + Net = your ass dragged up to 200 ft. and dropped down. Ground hurts doesn't it :P
Fort deadly kick 08-18-05, 06:44 AM	The campaigns taking place in ebberon, but I wanted my character to represent greyhawk more. So I figured he'd stick out in ebberon, but could still 'mingle' with the talenta halflings. Also, no offense meant, but I don't usually like choosing something because it's more powerful. Most of the time if I come to another member of the group and say 'blah blah blah, it'l be so cool' and they suggest a better weapon or choice of feat than the one I chose, I get really stubborn and even sometimes offended. I'm a bit of a conversational minefeild to say the least.
nyysjan 08-18-05, 06:47 AM	The campaigns taking place in ebberon, but I wanted my character to represent greyhawk more. So I figured he'd stick out in ebberon, but could still 'mingle' with the talenta halflings. Also, no offense meant, but I don't usually like choosing something because it's more powerful. Most of the time if I come to another member of the group and say 'blah blah blah, it'l be so cool' and they suggest a better weapon or choice of feat than the one I chose, I get really stubborn and even sometimes offended. I'm a bit of a conversational minefeild to say the least. you saying that Dinosaurs arent good enough for you :rolleyes: Bloody Greyhawk elitists ;) IMO dinosaurs are the coolest thing since the invention of Balefull Polymorph
Fort deadly kick 08-18-05, 06:52 AM	No no no, Dinosaurs are cool and all, but... Pouncing riding dogs are cooler. plus it Kind of feels like using a samurai weilding fighter/smurai in a oriental campaign. Where's the fun in that? But a chain weilding dinosaur or a warforged in a metal chinese hat... Wait, ignore those words.
nyysjan 08-18-05, 07:04 AM	going out of your way just to awoid a cliche is IMO just silly :P the cliche gives you are starting point, and from there you can build your own character. anyway Clawfoots are bigger stronger and more charismatic than riding dogs altough why are dogs given 2 feats is beyond me :rolleyes: Greyhawk elitism, that's got to be it :D (i just found my excuse of the week)
Phaylan the Drow 08-18-05, 07:17 AM	heheheh add mitheril spiked barding to either mount, colar of gaint str (to make the mount strong enough to put the barding in the medium or light encumberance catergories) magical harness(+x to ride/handle animal!!!!!!) and saddle of the same properties cheveron of magic fang (greater or lesser your choice)(a cheveron is the name for head armour on animals) animal shoes/bracers of zephyr (adapted from the horseshoe type, if i was a halfling mage i would research this just from the profit point of view) 1 lance of keen poisoned/wounding 3 throwing axes of retuning 1 all gold lance for touch attacks if you multiclass into wizard ie; shocking grasp, vampiric touch ect :D :D :D sick i know but if you put feats and skill points into a beastie you want your money and you damage dice from it im thinking the same kind of thing for our groups kobold theif if i can get him to muti into fighter heheheheheh (sneak attack charge with a slilence spell to cut out the noise of the clancking armour/beastie) drow riding lizard for somthing war trained and with +25 on climb +10 on hide and darkvision
Fort deadly kick 08-18-05, 07:20 AM	Dog booties of jumping....
nyysjan 08-18-05, 07:48 AM	heheheh add mitheril spiked barding to either mount, colar of gaint str (to make the mount strong enough to put the barding in the medium or light encumberance catergories) magical harness(+x to ride/handle animal!!!!!!) and saddle of the same properties cheveron of magic fang (greater or lesser your choice)(a cheveron is the name for head armour on animals) animal shoes/bracers of zephyr (adapted from the horseshoe type, if i was a halfling mage i would research this just from the profit point of view) 1 lance of keen poisoned/wounding 3 throwing axes of retuning 1 all gold lance for touch attacks if you multiclass into wizard ie; shocking grasp, vampiric touch ect :D :D :D sick i know but if you put feats and skill points into a beastie you want your money and you damage dice from it im thinking the same kind of thing for our groups kobold theif if i can get him to muti into fighter heheheheheh (sneak attack charge with a slilence spell to cut out the noise of the clancking armour/beastie) drow riding lizard for somthing war trained and with +25 on climb +10 on hide and darkvision May i call you a munchkin. Plus your grammar sucks eggs. And what level the Kobold was again. (and what kind of class is theif, and how do you "muti" into fighter, sounds sick to me) My idea for a clawfoot riding halfling warrior would work from level 1, no magiv needed.
Phaylan the Drow 08-18-05, 08:00 AM	May i call you a munchkin. Plus your grammar sucks eggs. And what level the Kobold was again. (and what kind of class is theif, and how do you "muti" into fighter, sounds sick to me) My idea for a clawfoot riding halfling warrior would work from level 1, no magiv needed. i am not a munchkin and i find the fact that i may be considered such offensive, i only whish to point out that a knight in medieval times would spend upto 5 year monies collected from his demesna (about 5-10 pounds= £1500-£35000 today), so investing in your transport is legitimate exspense, especially when it a: beats walking, b:gets you out of trouble quicker, and lastly c: if the arse falls out of your survival dice rolls you have still got enough food for 1-2 weeks on full rations. my grammar/ spelling is not always any good because i cant be bothered, i thought this was supposed to be a freindly kinda place where over hanging brows and extra long arms were over looked or made to feel like a member of the family/ group my rant is over let normal conversation resume with no hard feelings if you would be so graciouse or kind, your sincierely Phaylan
Fort deadly kick 08-18-05, 08:13 AM	Um... that was blatant munchkin'ing. I don't neccacairily mean to put you down by saying that, nothing wrong with a bit of hypothetical tweaking, but I wouldn't get offended. ah, Damn it! You guys have me really, really wanting a chain fighting talenta dinosaur rider now! THAT WASN'T THE PLAN!
Phaylan the Drow 08-18-05, 08:25 AM	ahhh ok if your are talking munchkinin then this is all verbooten,have you considered a drow riding lizard they're quite fun to use and are realy good at cleaning up the mess left after a battle, also this is stuf to aim for say about 10-15th lvl so its not munchkinin even though it looks like it. the term 'theif' is the old 1st/2nd editions name for rogue, i get so mixed up with names due to having played d&d for close to 15 yrs now, so forgive my infirmaries. our groups kobold rogue is now 6th lvl in a group of a drow wizard 3rd/fighter1st and a half drow ranger 5th lvl (missile type) and up until very reciently a very rarley attended person who wanted to play an exspert blacksmith who got kindnapped, we voted and the rest of us decided it just was not worth our times or our skins to rescue.
nyysjan 08-18-05, 12:15 PM	ahhh ok if your are talking munchkinin then this is all verbooten,have you considered a drow riding lizard they're quite fun to use and are realy good at cleaning up the mess left after a battle, also this is stuf to aim for say about 10-15th lvl so its not munchkinin even though it looks like it. the term 'theif' is the old 1st/2nd editions name for rogue, i get so mixed up with names due to having played d&d for close to 15 yrs now, so forgive my infirmaries. our groups kobold rogue is now 6th lvl in a group of a drow wizard 3rd/fighter1st and a half drow ranger 5th lvl (missile type) and up until very reciently a very rarley attended person who wanted to play an exspert blacksmith who got kindnapped, we voted and the rest of us decided it just was not worth our times or our skins to rescue. at level 15 it would be smarter to just buy a horse shaped golem and don't you mean a thief instead of a theif and yes my grammar also sucks eggs Um... that was blatant munchkin'ing. I don't neccacairily mean to put you down by saying that, nothing wrong with a bit of hypothetical tweaking, but I wouldn't get offended. yeah nothing wrong with little tweaking with your ride, but at that cost there are better ways, like an airship Eberronian elemental powered airship is just 90.000gp or somewhere around that price range ah, Damn it! You guys have me really, really wanting a chain fighting talenta dinosaur rider now! THAT WASN'T THE PLAN! It was my plan :D