Dog

This entry is of the workman sort, I must admit; however, I think it fills in a rather large hole left in the 4E bestiary. Sure, dogs aren’t as sexy as the froghemoth in my last update, but I hope halfling PCs and NPCs will be grateful for something to ride to, from, and in the battle. This is another one of those entries that should have been in Critter Cache: Animals & Beasts, so consider it an official addendum to that product. =]

In appearance, I imagine the riding dog to look like an Irish Wolfhound, and the war hound to look something like a double-sized Rottweiler.
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Dog

Dogs of various breeds are trained humanoids for a number of different purposes. Smaller races often use large breeds of dogs as mounts, relying on these sturdy canines for both transportation and warfare.

Dog Lore

A character can learn the following with a successful Nature check.

DC 15: Dogs are bred by nearly all civilized humanoid races for various purposes, but halflings are perhaps the most famous dog breeders in the known world. Their small size allows halflings to use dogs as mounts, and they have developed two sturdy breeds to serve them in this capacity. The tall, rangy swifthound can carry halfling riders tirelessly over great distances, while the muscular, heavy jawed vorhound can carry halfling warriors into battle, terrifying foes with its deep, menacing bark. Other humanoids, using halfling dogs as breeding stock, have produced their own versions of the two hounds described above.

Riding Dog, Level 1 Skirmisher
Medium natural beast, XP 100
Initiative +5 Senses Perception +7; low-light vision
HP 30; Bloodied 15
AC 15; Fortitude 15, Reflex 15, Will 12
Speed 9
Bite (standard; at-will)
+6 vs. AC; 1d6+3 damage.
Warning Bark (immediate reaction, when the riding dog makes a successful Perception check to spot a hidden enemy; at-will)
As a free action, all allies within 5 squares can make a Perception check with a +5 bonus to the roll to detect the hidden enemy.
Miniature Mount
A riding dog can be mounted by humanoids of Small size or smaller.
Alignment Unaligned Languages –
Skills Endurance +7
Str 17 (+3) Dex 16 (+3) Wis 14 (+1)
Con 14 (+2) Int 2 (-4) Cha 10 (+0)
Description This large dog has long legs and a thick wiry coat. A modified saddle has been strapped to its back.

Riding Dog Tactics

Riding dogs are large enough to deliver a powerful bite, but they serve their riders much better by alerting them to the presence of danger with a loud, ringing bark.

War Hound, Level 3 Soldier
Medium natural beast (mount), XP 150
Initiative +5 Senses Perception +8; low-light vision
HP 48; Bloodied 24
AC 19; Fortitude 17, Reflex 14, Will 14
Speed 7
Bite (standard; at-will)
+9 vs. AC; 1d8+4 damage.
Unnerving Bark (minor; recharge 6) * Fear
Close burst 5; targets enemies; +5 vs. Will; the target suffers a -2 penalty to attack rolls until the end of the halfing war hound’s next turn.
Shared Senses (while mounted by a Small-sized friendly rider of 3rd level or higher; at-will) * Mount
While mounted, a war hound grants its rider a +3 bonus to Perception checks.
Miniature Mount
A warhound can be be mounted by humanoids of Small size or smaller.
Skills Endurance +8
Alignment Unaligned Languages –
Str 18 (+5) Dex 14 (+3) Wis 14 (+3)
Con 16 (+4) Int 2 (-3) Cha 10 (+1)
Equipment chain barding
Description This black hound has powerful jaws and a tall, muscular build. It wears a coat of chain barding and a sturdy leather saddle.

War Hound Tactics

A war hound begins combat with unnerving bark, and then surges into combat to maul foes with its powerful jaws. It helps its rider track down fleeing enemies with its keen senses, unerringly following its nose to wounded foes stinking of fear.

Encounter Groups

Dogs are often used as mounts by smaller humanoids, with halflings, gnomes, and occasionally goblins being the most likely to do so. Larger humanoids may train war hounds to operate in packs, loosing them on to the battlefield to frighten the enemy with their unnerving bark.

Level 2 Encounter (XP 625)

• 2 halfling slingers (level 1 artillery)
• 1 halfling thief (level 2 skirmisher)
• 3 riding dogs (level 1 skirmisher)

Level 4 Encounter (XP 900)

• 2 goblin skullcleavers (level 3 brute)
• 1 goblin hexer (level 3 controller)
• 3 war hounds (level 3 soldier)