Knight Alternate class feature for dwarves

[nittanytbone]

I've got a player making a Dwarvish Knight (F2/K3) and was having some trouble squaring the mounted aspect of the class with dwarf-iness. The player doesn't seem keen on ever using the Mounted Combat feat and plans on avoiding the mounted bonus feats. I know that dwarves as medium critters can ride warhorses, but it just doesn't sit right with my conception of them, and warhorses don't seem very useful underground. Dwarves on dire wolves seem odd as well.

Does it seem like it would break any part of the class to offer dwarves a different selection of feats?

I'm thinking of using feats from Races of Stone.

Mounted Combat (Free @ 2) - Tunnel Fighting (No penalty to AC when squeezing)
Ride By Attack (Bonus Feat Option) - Battle Hardened (+2 Init, +4 on saves vs. Fear)
Spirited Charge (Bonus Feat Option) - Stoneback (Prevents flanks when one side is next to a wall)
Weapon Focus Lance - Moradin's Smile (+2 on all CHA based skill checks)

Any thoughts? THese seem much more thematic and useful for dwarvish knights. I really like most of the flavor of the class for dwarves, its just the mounted thing that seems off.

DOes anyone know of official alternate class features for dwarvish knights?

 

[smootrk]

First I would offer something interesting like some sort of Large Boar Breed to use as an alternative to Warhorse... rationale: minimal changes to the Knight Class.

otherwise,
Mounted Combat = Tunnel Fighting seems OK
Ride by Attack, Spirited Charge = I would use Improved Bull Rush and Overrun (seems more like similar fighting style yet for unmounted)
Weapon Focus should exchange for another appropriate weapon focus

 

[Thanael]

Dwarven Cavalry = Boar Riders or even Bear riders

 

[TheGogmagog]

I rather enjoyed playing a knight, and didn't have a mount for most of the game. The other knight I saw played never had a mount. It's still a strong class even if you never take advantage of the mounted abilities. At 5th level I took the extra feat quickdraw, not tht bad, but at 10th and 15th I took mounted feats that I never had the chance to use.

The only change I might suggest is expanding the bonus feat selection. This could be wide open, fighter feats, or narrowed to close quater fighting related feats.

 

[griff_goodbeard]

I like the AaEG's suggestion of giving them Rust Monster mounts and big stone hammers.

 

[Thurbane]

First I would offer something interesting like some sort of Large Boar Breed to use as an alternative to Warhorse... rationale: minimal changes to the Knight Class.

otherwise,
Mounted Combat = Tunnel Fighting seems OK
Ride by Attack, Spirited Charge = I would use Improved Bull Rush and Overrun (seems more like similar fighting style yet for unmounted)
Weapon Focus should exchange for another appropriate weapon focus

These sound quite good to me!

Weapon Focus Waraxe or Warhammer, maybe...

 

[nittanytbone]

Hey, thanks for the quick feedback!

He's only a F2/K3, so I let him trade out Mounted Combat for the Tunnel Fighting feat and told him we'd cross the bonus feat bridge when we got to it. He's ok with taking Iron Will or Quick Draw, so even I don't allow the "Dwarfy" feats in, it'll work out.

Thanks!