[PF/3.5] Mounts

[Melnir]

I'm playing in a 3.5/pathfinder campaign with an half-minotaur barbarian. We're starting at level 10 and since I took bestial mount ACF, I'll get an animal companion as a 6th level druid. Since I'm large, what animal could I take as a mount (I can consider natural bond to raise my druid level)? All pathfinder and 3.5 books allowed, no dinosaurs. Thanks :smallbiggrin:

[Roog]

Boon Companion from Animal Archive gives +4 effective Druid level.

(www.d20pfsrd.com/feats/general-feats/boon-companion)

[avr]

PF animal companions - and probably others from 3.5 if they get PF treatment - only go up to Large unless you take the Mammoth Rider prestige class. Even if you get an elephant as a companion. Either get your GM to house rule that for you, or take the PrC, or resign yourself to looking like a guy riding a donkey.

Rules for animal companions here (http://www.d20pfsrd.com/classes/core-classes/druid/animal-companions). Note the Charger and Racer archetype links at the top of the page.

Also note the boon companion (http://www.d20pfsrd.com/feats/general-feats/boon-companion) feat which you probably want.

[Melnir]

We play a mix of 3.5 and pathfinder and we use 3.5 animal companions. In this case wich ones would be the best choices?

[Gavinfoxx]

Well if you are using 3.5e Huge animal companions, there are a few:

Giant Crocodile
Dire Tortoise
Dragonhawk
Giant Banded Lizard

I'd suggest Dragonhawk. Flight is pretty awesome.

[Fates]

Assuming you pick up the aforementioned Boon Companion feat, you've got a few huge-sized mounts to choose from.

Huge Shark: Aquatic only.

Giant Crocodile: It's got a pretty good bite attack, and looks awesome, but that's about it.

Huge Viper: PASS. Its poison is crappy, and it would probably be awkward to ride, and its bite does NOTHING. Its only redeeming factor is that it's got a climb, swim, and walk speed.

Giant Constrictor Snake: If you want to ride a giant snake, choose this one. It's got a much better bite attack than the viper, and can grapple foes while you pummel them to bits.

Orca Whale: Only in my deepest dreams. If you can find a way to make this work, I would absolutely say yes. Maybe if you've got a DMM cleric who can give it persist air breathing* and some sort of flying effect? Why is this? As well as a respectable bite, it gets blindsight out to 120 feet, which is absolutely incredible. Besides, just picture yourself riding a giant, flying orca whale.

*Please excuse me, I am a moron. Whales are mammals. They do not need a spell to let them breath air. They do, however, need to be hydrated- perhaps attach several decanters of endless water to it? :smalltongue:

[Preaplanes]

Message Redacted

[Fates]

Orcas DO breathe air. The problem is that they can't breathe on land with their massive bulk, let alone move on it.

I know, I edited my post accordingly. I am very, very stupid at times. I do believe that the orca could still fly given magical means of flight, however, so long as it remained hydrated.

[Gavinfoxx]

Use a Dragonhawk...

http://www.wizards.com/default.asp?x=dnd/ex/20050706a&page=5

[Fates]

Use a Dragonhawk...

http://www.wizards.com/default.asp?x=dnd/ex/20050706a&page=5

You're probably right this time. Alas, someday I hope to see a flying orca whale, but today is not that day.