How to: Cavalier Abilities

How to: Cavalier Abilities

The cavalier is a base class introduced in Pathfinder RPG. It's not very powerful mechanically, but is quite flavourful. While it's one of my favourite Pathfinder classes, I never got a chance to play it. The class isn't really suitable for traditional dungeon crawling, as it usually requires a mount.

Mount [8]

The cavalier is constantly accompanied by an animal built on 50% of the cavalier's point total. The mount is not a supernatural minion - it has no obligation to obey all commands of its master and will run away or even attack if treated badly.

Statistics: Ally (Mount; Built on 50%; Constantly) [8]. Note: This is a very mutable ability. Consider increasing or decreasing the point total of the ally.

Challenge [5 points/level]

A cavalier can challenge a foe to combat. As a Ready maneuver, the cavalier chooses one target within sight to challenge. The cavalier gains a +2 bonus to his ST per level for the purpose of dealing damage to the target of his challenge. Usually this results in a +2 bonus to swing-based damage and +1 bonus to thrust-based damage per level (KYOS: +2 per level to both). The GM should set a level limit on this ability. However, challenging a foe requires much of the cavalier’s concentration. The cavalier takes a -4 penalty to his DX, except when interacting with the target of his challenge. This affects attacks made against other targets and imposes a -1 penalty on active defenses against attacks not made by the target of the challenge.

The challenge remains in effect until the target is dead or unconscious or until the combat ends.

Statistics: Striking ST 2 (Accessibility, Only against the target of the challenge, -20%; Nuisance Effect, Cannot change the target until the initial target is defeated or until combat is over, -10%; Temporary Disadvantage, DX-4, Only against other targets, -20%) [5/level].

Statistics (KYOS): Striking ST 2 (Accessibility, Only against the target of the challenge, -20%; Nuisance Effect, Cannot change the target until the initial target is defeated or until combat is over, -10%; Temporary Disadvantage, DX-4, Only against other targets, -20%) [1/level].

Tactician: This is when you should open up your copy of Pyramid #3-65 and read the Team Up! article. It presents wonderful options, such as the Coordinated Action and Natural Leader advantages, and the Guidance skill that are great for heroic commanders. And the cavalier is exactly that.

Banner: Natural Leader (Inspiring, +100%; Requires a banner, -10%; Tactical Influence, +750%; Vision-Based, -20%) [46]. From the article above.

Demanding Challenge [30 points for level 1 + 7 points/additional level]

This works like Challenge, but with the following differences:

1) The cavalier must male a Concentrate maneuver and roll a Quick Contest of Will with the target, using the normal range penalties. The target must be able to see or hear the cavalier. If the cavalier wins, the target of his challenge must pay attention to him - the target gets a -4 penalty to DX when not interacting with the cavalier. This affects attacks made against other targets and imposes a -1 penalty on active defenses against attacks not made by the cavalier.

2) The challenge lasts for 3 minutes, until the target is defeated, until the combat is over, or until the cavalier attempts to designate another target.

Statistics: Affliction 1 (Will; Attribute Penalty, -4 to DX, Not against the cavalier, +20%; Based on Will, +20%; Fixed Duration, +0%; Hearing- or Vision-Based, -15%; Link, +10%; Malediction 2, +150%; No Signature, +20%; Terminal Condition, Change target or end of combat, -10%) [30] + Striking ST 2 (Accessibility, Only against the target of the challenge, -20%; Link, +10%; Temporary Disadvantage, DX-4, Only against other targets, -20%) [7/level].

Statistics (KYOS): Affliction 1 (Will; Attribute Penalty, -4 to DX, Not against the cavalier, +20%; Based on Will, +20%; Fixed Duration, +0%; Hearing- or Vision-Based, -15%; Link, +10%; Malediction 2, +150%; No Signature, +20%; Terminal Condition, Change target or end of combat, -10%) [30] + Striking ST 2 (Accessibility, Only against the target of the challenge, -20%; Link, +10%; Temporary Disadvantage, DX-4, Only against other targets, -20%) [1.4/level].