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Fenix · Posted: Tue Feb 14, 2012 8:02 pm Post subject: Druid / Cavalier

I admit probably not much use in PFS. But a cool concept I want to get down.

Now as far as I can tell, it'd be legal to take druid to 6 then take cavalier as long as you were able to use you're animal companion as a mount.

Abjurant Champion · Posted: Tue Feb 14, 2012 10:03 pm Post subject:

This idea reminds me of the 3.5 Ubermount (stacking Animal Companion, Paladin's Mount, and possibly Familiar abilities on the same creature). However, reading the FAQ for Channel Evergy
(http://paizo.com/paizo/faq/v5748nruor1fm#v5748eaic9o80) implies that multiple versions of the same class feature only stack if it specifically says so (as is the case with most Sneak Attack descriptions, for example). This would indicate that a Cavalier's mount does not stack with a Druid's animal companion unles either description specifically says so. I'd keep an eye on the FAQ.

Fenix · Posted: Wed Feb 15, 2012 9:08 am Post subject:

From animal companion feature in druid -
"If a character receives an animal companion from more than one source, her effective druid levels stack for the purposes of determining the statistics and abilities of the companion."

And from cavalier -
Mount (Ex): A cavalier gains the service of a loyal and trusty steed to carry him into battle. This mount functions as a druid's animal companion, using the cavalier's level as his effective druid level. The creature must be one that he is capable of riding and is suitable as a mount.

So focus is on capable of riding and suitable mount.

But cheers this is exactly the type of challenges I was after to make sure I could do it.

So if I wanted paladin could go in the mix, or samurai.

Abjurant Champion · Posted: Wed Feb 15, 2012 7:24 pm Post subject:

Awesome, I didn't think the permissive descriptor would be in the Druid feature. Are you able to take levels in both Cavalier and Samurai? I wasn't sure, since Samurai is an alternate Cavalier sharing many of the features, but I haven't looked into it.

You could also add Oracle (Nature Mystery) into the mix, as it too receives an animal companion.

The other interesting point that came up is Paladin. Does the Paladin actually need to posess the Divine Bond class feature in order for Paladin levels to stack with preexisting effective druid levels? If so, that would create an odd spike in the build--imagine a Cavalier 5 who begins taking Paladin levels. His mount would not improve for 4 levels, then dramatically spike when the 5th Paladin level is gained.

Regarding builds, Cavalier/Oracle (Nature) actually synergizes a bit better than Cavalier/Druid, as the Cavalier has a few abilities and several skills that play off of Charisma. The Oracle could take Lame as a curse (you're going to be mounted anyways...), and can pick up Nature's whispers to add Cha to AC instead of Dex. Throw in a few Paladin levels for Divine Grace, and you have a smooth-talking survivalist.

Fenix · Posted: Wed Feb 15, 2012 11:16 pm Post subject:

Paladin and druid can never meet. So that saves that discussion (alignment).

However druid 6 / horizon walker 1 / nature warden 3 / cavalier 5+ works.

Samurai is good because of horseback archery built in, however not so keen on it in PFS due to how Ronin has to be played.

Can even have a level 6 druid / cavalier 1 on a Roc.

All sorts of fun things to be had. There is a alternate in ultimate combat, beast rider or something. But that's about as clear as mud how that works. Says medium characters can have large cat / wolf mounts at level 4 when with animal companion they don't get the correct size till level 7

Abjurant Champion · Posted: Fri Feb 17, 2012 5:32 pm Post subject:

Why Nature Warden, if I may ask? The only advantage I can see it having over more druid levels is that the ambiguous wording of Companion Bond:

a nature warden’s class levels stack with levels in all classes that grant an animal companion for the purpose of determining her animal companion’s abilities.

potentially allows you to add Nature Warden levels to EACH class that grants you the Animal Companion ability individually, rather than the sum (so your sample 15th level build would have the animal companion of a 17th level druid).

If this wording works, then a Druid 3/Oracle 1/Cavalier 2/Horizon Walker 1/Nature Warden 5 ends up with the animal companion of a 21st level druid at level 12...

paz · Posted: Fri Feb 17, 2012 9:28 pm Post subject:

I'm pretty sure that wording doesn't work. Cool

_________________
Matt / paz Cool

Abjurant Champion · Posted: Sat Feb 18, 2012 11:07 am Post subject:

So am I, but that was the only potential reason I could see for taking a PRC that both loses caster levels and requires additional multiclassing (Horizon Walker) to get in to.