A magic item which gives bonus to skill checks, but only for a certain task.

[Piratecat]

{Brutal hijack: Sorry, Shin!}

Slaved, for a really quick breakdown of simulations vs. other gaming styles, you can always hit Wikipedia. But the easiest way to think of it is that games which strive for realistic details tends towards simulations. If you have a DM who changes falling damage to make it more realistic, and who requires you to list out all of your material components, you probably have a DM who leans towards simulationism.

My point is that a one round delay in mounting your horse simply isn't fun. Missing a round of combat is a HUGE disadvantage in a fight. As a result, the in-game cost of the saddle (taking an extra round to mount or dismount) far, far outweighs the in-game benefit of the saddle (+2 to checks for staying in the saddle.) No reasonable character would use such a thing, because the penalties far outweigh the benefits -- and thus we've created a realistic saddle that is neither fun nor useful.

To me is seems like the easiest and most consistent solution for the DM is to call the saddle masterwork. As pointed out above, there are already rules and costs for masterwork items. Even better, it doesn't come with an in-game penalty that outweighs its usefulness.

I'm sorry that I gave the impression that the problem was with your GP costing or the bonuses you'd get; that wasn't what I'd meant to get across. I find this subject really interesting, but I'm reluctant to hijack Shin Okada's thread any further. If you want to knock the idea around further, we can always start a new thread on the subject. (And if not, that's cool too. I just like talking game theory.)

{/hijack}

 

[Dross]

I would say to increase the base cost of the saddle by +50% in order to increase the bonus by +2 to staying in the saddle and an extra +5% to the staying in the saddle check while unconscious. I would also increase the amount of time it takes to get in and out of it by 1 round for each addition. If I was feeling mean I would make it so that a character with at least 1 rank in ride per addition would be needed to put a person into it properly as well.

Something else to consider (just muddying the waters mind)
Quick Dismount, would have to take an extra -4 because the saddle is actively working against comming out of the saddle. :\

 

[Shin Okada]

Thank you guys for many inputs.

Personally, I prefer to make it a magic item instead of making a new non-magic "safety saddle" or "masterwork military saddle". Because, if I give such things to the hand of players, they will start to use it as the base material of magic items instead of using usual version. It actually happened several times when new material (starmetal) or new quality of mundane items (say, dwarvencraft) were introduced. So I do not want to increase the number of "superior mundane item" anymore than WotC books provide.

And, military saddle is already a kind of masterwork version of usual saddle, isn't it? And there is no "generic" rule for masterwork items in PHB (can we make a masterwork wagon or masterwork waterskin? How much are they?, etc.).

 

[Slaved]

Piratecat: I believe that your wiki article is attempting to make an artificial distinction where none actually exists. The point of its brush is simply too fine and it misses the point entirely, forest and trees. It is a rather unfortunate word choice as well since dungeons and dragons does indeed have its own internal logic and structure which simulates something akin to what we are used to in real life. If you would like to start another thread on this feel free.

If you will note the extra time delay was a secondary option. It is also an option that would fit well with the item providing such a large bonus for such a low cost. The tertiary option of needing a person with ranks in the ride skill would be to give a nod to those characters who actually spent skill points on the ride skill.

Dross: Sounds good to me.

Shin Okada: I would suggest finding out what fraction of the total abilities staying in the saddle represents for mounted combat in your eyes and then take the price for increasing a skill and reduce the price by that fraction.

 

[darthkilmor]

Thank you guys for many inputs.

Personally, I prefer to make it a magic item instead of making a new non-magic "safety saddle" or "masterwork military saddle". Because, if I give such things to the hand of players, they will start to use it as the base material of magic items instead of using usual version. It actually happened several times when new material (starmetal) or new quality of mundane items (say, dwarvencraft) were introduced. So I do not want to increase the number of "superior mundane item" anymore than WotC books provide.

And, military saddle is already a kind of masterwork version of usual saddle, isn't it? And there is no "generic" rule for masterwork items in PHB (can we make a masterwork wagon or masterwork waterskin? How much are they?, etc.).

Masterwork Wagon, +4 to crossing rivers, hold +200 lbs buffalo! Its in Complete Wagonneer: An Oregon Trail Supplement(CW:AOTS).

Four options:
1) When creating a magic item from a masterwork base, you don't keep the masterwork bonus. A masterwork short sword made into a magical +1 short sword does not have +2 att/+1 dmg. You're the DM, you get to tell the players what kind of magic items they can make.
2) You could have a tacky "Saddle-stick" material thats say, derived from the same stuff used to make tanglefoot bags. Keeps you from falling out of the saddle and thats it. Esp. useful for flying mounts!
3) Just let them make magical saddles with basic +x bonus to all ride checks.
4) as 3) but slash the price by 80% if it only applies to one kind of ride check. Frankly this is a level of detail that sounds dreadfully PITA to track but if you and your players are done for it then by all means.