Let Slip the Dog of War

[Leon]

In regard to the Riding Dog it mentions
If trained for war, these animals can make trip attacks

Does this mean that you add the "War Beast" template to the Dog or something else?

[TheSteelRat]

"Trained for war" is a question of training using the Handle Animal skill. The War Beast Template was developed after the fact to allow others to do what WotC was already doing, and it basically represents the difference between a Horse and War Horse anyway. Like many spell metamagics, the template was made so they wouldn't have to custom-make as many spells/animals/creatures. Or at least, that's my 2 cp.

[Rad]

I'm sure that in no case getting a template is implied in a way this indirect.
Actually it just means that dogs that have been trained to do so can make trip attacks, period. That might mean that there is a suitable skill trick or that dogs that are taught how to attack also know automatically how to trip.

[AslanCross]

War Beast isn't a core template. Core material typically does not require supplements to work.

Most canine/lupine monsters have the Trip special attack: Wolves, Dire Wolves, Worgs, Winter Wolves, and even the mighty Guulvorg. It's basically the canine/lupine specialty combat trick (big cats like lions and tigers have pounce instead). So training a riding dog for war using the Handle Animal skill teaches it this fundamental canine combat tactic.

[Leon]

Thanks for the feedback