Gnome Paladin + Riding Dog

[simplyoni]

Hello,

ive been getting bored with normal characters and i came to a realization that a riding dog can be ridden indoors. Seince we typically play dungeon hack and slash i though it would be interesting to use a light lance on a war dog. Is that a feaslable thing to do in a small setting seince i would think your agility of the beast would be quite high. What would be some good feats and skills to make this character at least usable, also would it be better to be a fighter so that i could make the riding and neccesary damage buffs earlier atainable? i just thought a HOLY WEPON and a lance would be a great way to smite the undead we often face. In addition It seems that a straight wardog would not hold up in higher level campaignes but ith the extra HD the pali has to offer i thought i would work. ANY insight or coments would be apprecated THX!!!

 

[Camarath]

Are you guys using 3.0 or 3.5 and what other resources can you use?

 

[reapersaurus]

Talk to Artoomis.
Seriously - he has played one for 2 years now, I think.

 

[Fedifensor]

I remember seeing a Halfling fighter riding a trained lion into combat. It's a pretty nasty combo...

 

[Artoomis]

Halfing (or gnome) on a riding dog.

Very cool.

However, experience shows some survivability problems. I suggest you use feats for saving throw improvements.

Also - consider a Celestial Riding Dog. It's worth the one level delay in paladin mount abilities for the extra survivability.

A way to make the dog fly is also good, but with the change in the Fly spell, celestial armor is not as good as it was before.

Another excellent choice is a Blink Dog. Unless things have changed in 3.5 (no MM for me), the blinking would not be used with a rider, but still, better hit die and stats than the riding dog. Also, it starts out intelligent, which makes life even better. Make it Celestial, and I think you've got one mighty fine mount that can go anywhere.

Finally, if you use points to build your characters, be sure you ask for the same number of points for you mount, and use the MM to figure out the ability modifiers.

 

[simplyoni]

Just the three main

Just the three main books. and we play 3.0. What is the ruling on celestial stuff for paladins ? is there a place to get the books "of course legally" (chuckles) in pdf format so i can skim them? i just was looking for the paladins and perhaps a additional feats list

 

[Artoomis]

Re: Just the three main

Just the three main books. and we play 3.0. What is the ruling on celestial stuff for paladins ? is there a place to get the books "of course legally" (chuckles) in pdf format so i can skim them? i just was looking for the paladins and perhaps a additional feats list

The DMG contains rules for "unusual mounts." I can't quote them all for you since it's not part of the SRD, but, in essence, a more powerful mount menas you get the spcial mount powers later than normal.

 

[Spatzimaus]

No, you want a scary combo?

Halfling Paladin + Celestial Dire Weasel Mount.

It'll cost you a level or two of mount advancement, but it's SO worth it. That combo was a big part of why we totally reworked the mount rules IMC instead of using the DotF ones.