Horses and XP?

[The Cremator]

So if you buy a heavy warhorse, and that warhorse kills the majority of a group of 6 orcs that have waylaid you on the roadside, does the horse detract from xp gained. Can said horse advance? If so, how far can it go?

And my final question, when will this madness end?

 

[pawsplay]

It's an equipment. Does a tanglefoot bag get XP? A cold iron arrow?

 

[Friend of the Dork]

It's an equipment. Does a tanglefoot bag get XP? A cold iron arrow?

A warhorse generally does not attack on it's own without it's rider controlling it to do so. It's not an equal party member, Animal Companion, Familiar or Cohort. And apart from Cohorts none of those gain xp either, and are much tougher than normal warhorses in combat.

Also note that Warhorses are expensive and generally not available to a party which has trouble with 6 orks on their own. A normal warhorse can be advanced by HD I think, but not by xp and character class. In other words you can build a particular strong, tough and big horse as a DM.

 

[Volaran]

Exactly, PCs are the only things that earn and level by experience, barring cohorts, who gain experience based on a fraction of their associated PC, but do not detract from group experience.

A horse could advance if it were an animal companion. Beyond that, you might advance a horse using the Monster Advancement rules if you wanted a particularly powerful horse.

That said, if you intend to advance the horse along with the party, but not as an animal companion, I would suggest possibly treating it as a specialized cohort (perhaps having it druid Awaken it) and require the leadership feat. An awakened creature as a cohort could even potentially gain class levels.

 

[billd91]

Horses don't get XP for what the riders decide they'll do. They're a bit of equipment in that sense.

Horses and other creatures generally don't advance hit dice either (unless they're immature). The rules for advanced creatures is generally for designing tougher specific specimens. If you wanted an advanced one, as DM I'd provide an option for that... and charge considerably more as well.

 

[Scott DeWar]

Advanced monsers get several pluses to their stats, and would probaly have to be"born that way" and of lurse purchased as such.

sort of like a Masterwork horse, if you will. The following is from the Pf SRD pdf

Advanced Creature (CR +1)
Creatures with the advanced template are fiercer and more powerful than their ordinary cousins.
Quick Rules: +2 on all rolls (including damage rolls) and special ability DCs; +4 to AC and CMD; +2 hp/HD.
Rebuild Rules: AC increase natural armor by +2; Ability Scores +4 to all ability scores.

 

[frankthedm]

Advanced monsters get several pluses to their stats... ...sort of like a Masterwork horse, if you will.

Pathfinder heavy horses already have that template.

Horse tokens

 

[Friend of the Dork]

Pathfinder heavy horses already have that template.

Horse tokens

I suppose you could add HD to the creature as well per the Monster Advancement rules, if you wanted to make a particular tough heavy warhorse.

Also, anyone noticed how horses are slower now? Used to be 60' speed for light horses.

 

[Scott DeWar]

I suppose you could add HD to the creature as well per the Monster Advancement rules, if you wanted to make a particular tough heavy warhorse.

That is what I was suggesting. A master work equipment: well fed, well worked, well trained, good breeding. Unfortunately, it takes a horse to the age of about 2 1/2 years old to be ridden: start riding at two, about 6 months to saddle train.
Advanced heavy horse
N Large animal
Init +4; Senses low-light vision, scent; Perception +8
Defense
AC 15, touch 13, flat-footed 11 (+4 Dex, –1 size, natural +2)
hp 19 (2d8+10)
Fort +8, Ref +7, Will +3
Offense
Speed 50 ft.
Melee 2 hooves +6 (1d6+5); bite +6 1d4 +5
Space 10 ft.; Reach 5 ft.
Statistics
Str 20, Dex 18, Con 21, Int 6, Wis 17, Cha 11
Base Atk +1; CMB +7; CMD 19 (23 vs. trip)
Feats Endurance, RunB
Skills Perception +8
SQ
Ecology
Environment temperate plains
Organization solitary, pair, or herd (3–30)
Treasure none

 

[frankthedm]

Also, anyone noticed how horses are slower now? Used to be 60' speed for light horses.

It is for the best. PCs often would look at the light horse's 60' speed some strange sense of entitlement, then act hurt when they were informed had enough weight, gear and loot to drop the light horse to medium load's 40' speed . At least now going for the heavy horse is the obvious choice.

D&D 3.5 Carrying Capacity
A light load for a light horse is up to 150 pounds
A light load for a light warhorse is up to 230 pounds

Bit and bridle 1 lb.
Riding Saddle 25 lb.
Saddlebags 8 lb.