How do I make a mount that doesn't suck? [Archive] - Wizards Community

How do I make a mount that doesn't suck? [Archive] - Wizards Community

Post/Author/DateTime Post
pokemaniacbill
04-08-07, 01:57 AM Warhorses have 30 HP, on average. Which means they're extraordinarily vulnerable to damage. Their AC is pretty bad, and smart money says a mage will go for the horse because it's easiest to kill and greatly reduces the mobility of the unit, and will probably pull it off in a group attack.

So, if I want to use a mount, how do I use it without having to get a new horse every time the one I have dies? Flight combat and movement is a huge headache, and I'm just curious if there's a better way.
Thubby
04-08-07, 02:01 AM anything that gets a special mount.
ranger
paladin
druid
wizard with improved familiar
some prcs
bobothechimp
04-08-07, 02:14 AM Have someone with a good handle animal check rear a wild animal. DC 15+Animal's HD and six weeks, then you have a nice mount.
pokemaniacbill
04-08-07, 02:21 AM So... how will that stop the mount from dying, exactly? Because I'm pretty sure that does nothing of any consequence, since a wild horse has no statistical difference that I'm aware of from a domesticated horse. I'm also pretty sure that I phrased the question wrong, so here it is, but better.

How do I make a mount that doesn't suck without having to alter my class from my original intention, which is to say, NOT relying on class-specific abilities like the Paladin or Ranger? Spells, armor, medicinal herbs, feats, items skills, fine. Anything I need to buy, anything I need to take, but I cannot rely on a class specific ability of my own as the only way to make it better.

Because I'm aware that there are 'things' that a spellcaster can do, and that Paladins get a better Pokemount, I'm aware that mounts can be elevated from the suck level. What I don't know is how to do that without specifically picking a class that alters animals in some way, versus enhancing them through even something like breeding. I've got general knowledge as to what things are, just not how to apply them.
TheChilliGod
04-08-07, 03:11 AM See if you can get the DM to allow you to purchase a dinosaur pre-trained and fully ridable - better yet (if you can bother to get ranks in Handle Animal), train one yourself. Triceratops are probably your best choice if tamed.
Because, y'know, the bigger types of dinosaurs tend not to go down after a single fireball.

Alternatively, with the Leadership feat, and with a bit of DM-permission, you can get an intelligent cohort of a species that you can also ride, such as a unicorn or something like that. Leadership can be taken by anyone, so it's all good.
Thubby
04-08-07, 03:12 AM amulet of health (+6 to con makes more hp)
"ring" of protection
full plate barding+ highest (fire resistant is good)
horseshoe of the zepher? (+30 ft to mount)
anything for extra hp, so potions of false life.
"cloak" of resistance+ highest you can afford
talk to your dm about an advanced horse, or having the one you do have advance with you (the super horse had to get that way some how)

the wonderous item mounts can do the job otherwise.
BlackWeasel
04-08-07, 03:42 AM There is a feat here that lets you get an animal companion
http://www.wizards.com/default.asp?x=dnd/re/20031118a
bobothechimp
04-08-07, 04:19 AM What I meant by my comment is to rear a wild animal that would make a better mount than a horse, such as a T-Rex or Dire Bear.
Cifer
04-08-07, 07:53 AM Leadership is the way to go - choose a rideable creature as your cohort.
Lyinginbedmon
04-08-07, 08:30 AM Something like this (http://www.dndonlinegames.com/showthread.php?p=1925885#post1925885) should do the trick, it's written for a pack animal but it would work just as well for a mount
Sareld
04-08-07, 08:33 AM Yeah... go leadership! Get a druid cohort with the natural spell feat, and have her morph into the form of a brown bear/heavy horse/whatever you want to ride, problem solved. The druid will have loads of HP, and she will be able to cast kick ass spells while you fight, not to mention that she will probably even be at least as goot as you in combat.

Post/Author/DateTime	Post
pokemaniacbill 04-08-07, 01:57 AM	Warhorses have 30 HP, on average. Which means they're extraordinarily vulnerable to damage. Their AC is pretty bad, and smart money says a mage will go for the horse because it's easiest to kill and greatly reduces the mobility of the unit, and will probably pull it off in a group attack. So, if I want to use a mount, how do I use it without having to get a new horse every time the one I have dies? Flight combat and movement is a huge headache, and I'm just curious if there's a better way.
Thubby 04-08-07, 02:01 AM	anything that gets a special mount. ranger paladin druid wizard with improved familiar some prcs
bobothechimp 04-08-07, 02:14 AM	Have someone with a good handle animal check rear a wild animal. DC 15+Animal's HD and six weeks, then you have a nice mount.
pokemaniacbill 04-08-07, 02:21 AM	So... how will that stop the mount from dying, exactly? Because I'm pretty sure that does nothing of any consequence, since a wild horse has no statistical difference that I'm aware of from a domesticated horse. I'm also pretty sure that I phrased the question wrong, so here it is, but better. How do I make a mount that doesn't suck without having to alter my class from my original intention, which is to say, NOT relying on class-specific abilities like the Paladin or Ranger? Spells, armor, medicinal herbs, feats, items skills, fine. Anything I need to buy, anything I need to take, but I cannot rely on a class specific ability of my own as the only way to make it better. Because I'm aware that there are 'things' that a spellcaster can do, and that Paladins get a better Pokemount, I'm aware that mounts can be elevated from the suck level. What I don't know is how to do that without specifically picking a class that alters animals in some way, versus enhancing them through even something like breeding. I've got general knowledge as to what things are, just not how to apply them.
TheChilliGod 04-08-07, 03:11 AM	See if you can get the DM to allow you to purchase a dinosaur pre-trained and fully ridable - better yet (if you can bother to get ranks in Handle Animal), train one yourself. Triceratops are probably your best choice if tamed. Because, y'know, the bigger types of dinosaurs tend not to go down after a single fireball. Alternatively, with the Leadership feat, and with a bit of DM-permission, you can get an intelligent cohort of a species that you can also ride, such as a unicorn or something like that. Leadership can be taken by anyone, so it's all good.
Thubby 04-08-07, 03:12 AM	amulet of health (+6 to con makes more hp) "ring" of protection full plate barding+ highest (fire resistant is good) horseshoe of the zepher? (+30 ft to mount) anything for extra hp, so potions of false life. "cloak" of resistance+ highest you can afford talk to your dm about an advanced horse, or having the one you do have advance with you (the super horse had to get that way some how) the wonderous item mounts can do the job otherwise.
BlackWeasel 04-08-07, 03:42 AM	There is a feat here that lets you get an animal companion http://www.wizards.com/default.asp?x=dnd/re/20031118a
bobothechimp 04-08-07, 04:19 AM	What I meant by my comment is to rear a wild animal that would make a better mount than a horse, such as a T-Rex or Dire Bear.
Cifer 04-08-07, 07:53 AM	Leadership is the way to go - choose a rideable creature as your cohort.
Lyinginbedmon 04-08-07, 08:30 AM	Something like this (http://www.dndonlinegames.com/showthread.php?p=1925885#post1925885) should do the trick, it's written for a pack animal but it would work just as well for a mount
Sareld 04-08-07, 08:33 AM	Yeah... go leadership! Get a druid cohort with the natural spell feat, and have her morph into the form of a brown bear/heavy horse/whatever you want to ride, problem solved. The druid will have loads of HP, and she will be able to cast kick ass spells while you fight, not to mention that she will probably even be at least as goot as you in combat.