Beastmaster and Ride

[vardeman]

This question came up in prepping for Krensky's upcoming pbp game, but I never got an answer so I thought I'd throw it out here for general comment and maybe some clarification from Pat and/or Alex.

Beastmasters require 6 ranks of Ride as a prerequisite for taking the class.  My character concept is a Norse-type barbarian warrior who basically runs with his own pack of wolves.  I've started off with the Savage talent and the Barbarian specialty and Soldier class.  Now then, none of that gives him Ride as a class skill (I know about origin skills, but I had 2 other skills in mind for those).  I don't really see him needing to ride since his speed is 50' per round (40 ft. for Savage and +10 ft. for Barbarian), which is as fast or faster than most of the horses in the Bestiary.  Only the race horse is faster in base speed (60 ft.) and the riding/wild horse has the same base speed but gets a x5 run for 250 ft. instead of the 200 ft. that a savage barbarian can run.  Why would he need the ride skill at all if he never intends on riding?

On a related thought.  I decided, maybe I'll just start with Lancer instead of Soldier since Ride is a class skill.  Can the core ability mount be taken as an animal that you never intend to ride?  Say, for instance, a pack leader/riding wolf?

V

[Doublebond]

This question came up in prepping for Krensky's upcoming pbp game, but I never got an answer so I thought I'd throw it out here for general comment and maybe some clarification from Pat and/or Alex.

Beastmasters require 6 ranks of Ride as a prerequisite for taking the class.  My character concept is a Norse-type barbarian warrior who basically runs with his own pack of wolves.  I've started off with the Savage talent and the Barbarian specialty and Soldier class.  Now then, none of that gives him Ride as a class skill (I know about origin skills, but I had 2 other skills in mind for those).  I don't really see him needing to ride since his speed is 50' per round (40 ft. for Savage and +10 ft. for Barbarian), which is as fast or faster than most of the horses in the Bestiary.  Only the race horse is faster in base speed (60 ft.) and the riding/wild horse has the same base speed but gets a x5 run for 250 ft. instead of the 200 ft. that a savage barbarian can run.  Why would he need the ride skill at all if he never intends on riding?

It seems to me that it would be appropriate for the GM to simply switch out the required class skill for the beastmaster will something more thematically fitting with your character.

On a related thought.  I decided, maybe I'll just start with Lancer instead of Soldier since Ride is a class skill.  Can the core ability mount be taken as an animal that you never intend to ride?  Say, for instance, a pack leader/riding wolf?

I would say no. A mount's primary purpose is to be ridden, and the core ability is that you gain a mount. The animal partner feat is only the means through which this is accomplished.

[Eärendle]

Happiness!

The Ride skill also represents the ability to control vehicles. Does your Norse-based culture have any fishing boats or seafaring traditions?

Scout might be a good choice for your core class. Ride is a class skill, extra Terrain feats boost your Animal Partners and Huntsman offers several nifty abilities.

[paddyfool]

That's a very good point.

Another thing to note is that you don't need all your levels to be in a class that has Ride to get those skill points, just your 3rd and/or 4th.  So it might help if you have a look at Scout 1, Burglar 1, Explorer 1, etc. until you find something that suits what you want to be good at.  EDIT: The particular advantage this would have is that it probably requires no rebuild of your character as he stands.

[vardeman]

Happiness!

The Ride skill also represents the ability to control vehicles. Does your Norse-based culture have any fishing boats or seafaring traditions?

Scout might be a good choice for your core class. Ride is a class skill, extra Terrain feats boost your Animal Partners and Huntsman offers several nifty abilities.

Of course it has its long ships, but again, he's not a sailor or raider, he's aiming to run with the wolves.  Ride would just be a skill he dumps 6 skill points into and then forgets for the rest of his life.

Scout does look like a good class, I may look into that.
EDIT:  Hmmm, Scout looks VERY promising.  I like the core ability better than the Soldier's.  The only downside is the slower BAB progression, but I think I can live with that.

V

[Mister Andersen]

FC pg 170:

Military Mounts
...
Wolf

Look at it this way: you're a viking, so you're going to know about messing about on boats which can be your first focus. You've still got 2 more levels to play through, by which time you'll have learnt to use some other means of transport be it piloting a giant or what ever, so even if you never sit astride a wolf's back you've still got the option of being part of a pirate crew possibly as a first mate (a real sea wolf), which considering our party is a distinct possibility of actually happening.

[vardeman]

It seems to me that it would be appropriate for the GM to simply switch out the required class skill for the beastmaster will something more thematically fitting with your character.

Perhaps athletics for long-distance running?

V

[Race]

What about a chariot? Or have the riding wolf, mononoke style

[Catodon]

It seems to me that it would be appropriate for the GM to simply switch out the required class skill for the beastmaster will something more thematically fitting with your character.

Perhaps athletics for long-distance running?

V

This is the solution that makes the most sense to me. Another possible skill might be survival which covers animal training. If not provided by his class would be an obvious origin skill for this concept.
I think V has a solid concept here and this small change will not break anything. THe rules are there to guide teble consensus.

[EmptyOwl]

Ride would just be a skill he dumps 6 skill points into and then forgets for the rest of his life.

Though, if you are so in-tune with beasts, would you not be expected to be able to ride a horse well the first time you did it, or control a team of animals pulling a vehicle?  Perhaps that is what the 6+ ranks represent, the expectation that your character could in a pinch Ride decently.

[Nezeray]

This is the solution that makes the most sense to me. Another possible skill might be survival which covers animal training. If not provided by his class would be an obvious origin skill for this concept.
I think V has a solid concept here and this small change will not break anything. The rules are there to guide teble consensus.

If the scout doesn't fit the character concept, I LIKE using survival instead of ride for that style of character.   I think of having more than 1 or 2 ranks in ride as being an advanced rider, not an occasional one.

James / Nezeray

[vardeman]

Survival (4 ranks) is already another prereq for Beastmaster.

V

[paddyfool]

I like the idea of athletics for the character you're building, but ultimately that's the GM's call.  I also reckon that a Scout fits your character concept nicely.

However, the easiest fix remains this: Go Soldier 3, then take 1 level in either Burglar, Captain, Courtier, Explorer, Lancer, Mage, Priest*, Sage, or Scout.  Put six skill points into Ride when you take that level.  Fluff as you deem appropriate.

* (with the right alignment)

[Eärendle]

Out of curiosity, what is your character's Strength score? While your unencumbered speeds may be equal, that horse will likely carry a load more easily than you will. If you select Land Vehicles as one of your Ride foci you can use your wolves as a sled team.

[Goodlun]

If you select Land Vehicles as one of your Ride foci you can use your wolves as a sled team.

Now that is a neat idea