Is the Cavalier the most effective Mounted Combat Class?

[Herremann the Wise]

Hi Everyone,

I've been invited into a new campaign (Dragonlance) and was thinking of bringing in a mounted combat specialist. Is the Cavalier the way to go in terms of effectiveness or is there a better path to go in terms of mounted combat? [I have been restricted to WOTC books only]
Any suggestions for a 12th level build? Any extra things to focus on?
Thanks for any ideas.

Best Regards
Herremann the Wise

 

[Victim]

Cavalier is probably the way the to go for a fighter. Straight paladin works pretty well too because of the interaction between increased smite damage and a 3x spirited charge.

 

[Deset Gled]

The Halfling Outrider is preferable in many campaigns because a small rider can have a medium mount. A medium mount fits into dungeons and other small spaces much easier than a large mount.

The usefullness of mounted combat can vary greatly depending on how your DM rules certain aspects of it to work.

 

[Testament]

Cavalier is probably the way the to go for a fighter. Straight paladin works pretty well too because of the interaction between increased smite damage and a 3x spirited charge.

Dreaming. Ultimate mounted fighter is a Halfling Ranger/Paladin/Halfiling Outrider with Devoted Tracker. Then you're a delivery system for your Dire Weasel of ultimate doom.

Since he's in DL though, that's not an issue. Fighter (feats baby, feats!)/Paladin (IN THAT ORDER)/Cavalier is the way to go. Smiting on a Deadly Charge with two handed power attack and watch the gibs fly.

 

[nameless]

I think mounted archery is the way to go with mounted combat. You can get a full attack every round even if your mount moves, and you're almost guaranteed to be at a distance if you want to be.

Scout/Highland Stalker is an excellent combination for this build, since you can get the Skirmish damage on each arrow.

 

[Bryan898]

There's a halfling Paladin/ Halfling Outrider/ Cavalier riding a winter wolf in my campaign thats an extremely effective mounted character. He can literally do hundreds of damage a hit. Unfortunately the second he's off his mount he's kinda worthless. Plus his mount is fairly easy to kill. It doesn't have great saves, though they are good. It's died at the effects of Blasphemy, Horrid Wilting, Fireballs, a Medusa's Gaze, etc.

 

[Inconsequenti-AL]

Fighter 4aladin 5:Cavalier 3 or Fighter 2aladin 6:Cavalier 4... would be my choices for an Arthurian style 12th level Knight type.

You've got a special mount, some feats and turn undead... The mount even advances with cavalier levels, which is good. Smite, Divine Might, Power Attacking, Deadly Charge. I had a PC use this in my last campaign. Ouchy! (Beware wizard BBEGs with readied action: Wall of Force)

Power Attack/Divine Might is nice, because it gives you something to do while dismounted.

Figure the weak point of a fighter/cavalier is their mount. Take that away and they're in trouble. Think the paladin levels help prevent that.

Halfling outriders are cuter though.

 

[F5]

How about a halfling druid/hafling outrider, mounted on a war dog that also happens to be his Aninmal Companion? You could Magic Fang and Animal Growth the heck out of Fido, and stay in the saddle so you can use Ride to negate hits, while you toss off flame strikes and lightning.

I have no idea how to make this combo work, and haven't ever really tried, but I've always wondered if it could be workable.

 

[diaglo]

what about Centaur with levels of fighter?

go monster race and have more fun.

 

[yennico]

what about Centaur with levels of fighter?

go monster race and have more fun.

Choose Leadership as a feat and take a centaur fighter or ranger as your cohort and mount