"Leveling" a warhorse.

[Question]

Is it possible to "level" a warhorse somehow? A high level character using a 4d8 mount.....well its not going to live much.

 

[smootrk]

A wise DM would allow the mount to gain experience during excursions where the mount is being ridden. Personally, I grant 50% XP for the mount for encounters while being ridden or used (as the mount is not doing the deciding - the rider is). This allows the mount to 'level' over time, especially when the mount is being used regularly. These XP are granted like cohorts - with no effect on party XP otherwise. Be sure to only grant the xp when actual using the mount; not 1/2 of the character's xp, as this helps to encourage the player to actually use the mount more.

Typically, I will grant advancement in only the 'animal class' or whatever the mount actually is, but in cases where a mount has superior intelligence I could possibly grant levels in other classes (like Warrior, Fighter, or others based upon the creature/mount). If you follow a similar method, be sure to double check the advancement notations for the creature, as sometimes attack damage, or other abilities might increase, AC bonuses are granted, or other factors change.

 

[(Psi)SeveredHead]

Check out the Wild Cohort feat. It's on the WotC DnD site.

 

[Klaus]

Check out the Wild Cohort feat. It's on the WotC DnD site.

http://www.wizards.com/default.asp?x=dnd/re/20031118a

Y'know, this question comes up so often, I'm thinking Wild Cohorts should be added to the Core Rules...

 

[brehobit]

http://www.wizards.com/default.asp?x=dnd/re/20031118a

Y'know, this question comes up so often, I'm thinking Wild Cohorts should be added to the Core Rules...

Except it is almost useless for this purpose without some serious give by the DM.

First, a warhorse, by the rules, can't be a wild cohort. A heavy horse can be though. One could argue if you could train the horse for war (via the rules in the Monster Manual II), but I'd call that a stretch.

Secondly, assuming you allowed a warhorse as a druid companion, I think most DMs would give the druid a -3 level adjustment (which seems about right). With the wild cohort feat, you couldn't take it until 7th level. At that point it would _still_ have +0HD. At 9th it would have +1 HD, and at 12th it would have +3HD. Not enough to be useful.

If you allow a warhorse as a level 1 druid companion things change quite a bit. But I'd also argue it is overpowered. Certainly better than any other 1st level companion, and as good as some of the -3 adjustment ones.

 

[smootrk]

Wild Cohort is another great way to approach the situation to beef-up the mount. My method is feat-independant (so it can be used easily by Wizards, Clerics, etc). I allow both to be used concurrently to achieve a strong mount - especially useful for non-ranger/druid/paladin types to be able to have a good mount regardless.

 

[Klaus]

Except it is almost useless for this purpose without some serious give by the DM.

First, a warhorse, by the rules, can't be a wild cohort. A heavy horse can be though. One could argue if you could train the horse for war (via the rules in the Monster Manual II), but I'd call that a stretch.

Secondly, assuming you allowed a warhorse as a druid companion, I think most DMs would give the druid a -3 level adjustment (which seems about right). With the wild cohort feat, you couldn't take it until 7th level. At that point it would _still_ have +0HD. At 9th it would have +1 HD, and at 12th it would have +3HD. Not enough to be useful.

If you allow a warhorse as a level 1 druid companion things change quite a bit. But I'd also argue it is overpowered. Certainly better than any other 1st level companion, and as good as some of the -3 adjustment ones.

Dude, you just need to teach the thing the Combat Riding task. It's in the PHB, under Handle Animal. No need for the MMII thingamaging.

Get a horse, then either roll or pay someone to teach Combat Riding (if it's a mount) and voilá, war-trained mount.

 

[brehobit]

Dude, you just need to teach the thing the Combat Riding task. It's in the PHB, under Handle Animal. No need for the MMII thingamaging.

Get a horse, then either roll or pay someone to teach Combat Riding (if it's a mount) and voilá, war-trained mount.

Right,
But that is different than a warhorse. The stats are different. Very different.

A heavy horse has 3 HD, 19 hit points, and 2 attacks at -1 for d6+1 damage
A heavy warhorse has 4HD, 30 hit points, 2 hooves +6 melee (1d6+4) and bite +1 melee (1d4+2).

A combat trained heavy horse that is an animal companion of a 5rd level druid will get owned by a standard warhorse (due to attack bonuses and damage). AFAIK, the only way to make a heavy horse into a warhorse is that MMII thingy.

 

[Klaus]

The heavy horse suffers from the -5 attack penalty a nonpredator is assigned, as per the MM appendix on animals. Train it for combat and the penalty disappears.

 

[frankthedm]

Core rules

Awaken the warhorse and convince it to remain a beast of burden. Hopefully you didn't "use mount as cover" too often.

Train dire animals as combat mounts. The Handle animal DCs are not that bad. It takes more time than it does effort for any character trained in the skill at the levels when you need the stronger mount.