Animal Training: What is and isn't one "Command". Also, what does it mean for a mount to be "Combat Trained".
Posted: Tue Aug 29, 2017 11:13 am
I find the Animal Training skill very confusing trying to determine what is "one Command" as opposed to "more than one Command" or "ability that is not a Command".
I am coming at this thinking about a Cavalryman, but I think most of the issues are identical for Beastmasters.
OK, so first off, a Cavalryman starts off play with a mount.
I am coming at this thinking about a Cavalryman, but I think most of the issues are identical for Beastmasters.
OK, so first off, a Cavalryman starts off play with a mount.
Page 395 says:Cavalrymen begin the game with a mount ... The mount is trained for riding only; the Cavalryman needs to combat-train it (p. 395).
Players Guide page 430 saysTrained mounts are the type usually sold and allow riders. Their main purpose is for travel, as combat will frequently spook them. Combat mounts are accustomed to the sounds of the battlefield, trained to ride into or straight at other creatures on the rider’s command, and may even attack them.
So Question #1 is, what is the actual advantage to having your mount combat trained? I would assume there is one, but the only reference I can find is that Page 396 says"Except where already noted, combat-trained mounts cost at least ten times the prices shown. Training can be accomplished with the Animal Bond (p. 125) and Animal Training (p.127) talents. Both talents are also available as skills
So it seems to me (and please correct me if I am missing something) is that you can only ride your mount towards combat if ONE of the following is true: The mount is combat trained, you are "familiar" with your mount, or you succeed in a Trick Riding test. Assuming you have owned your mount for a while, I can't see any advantage to having it combat trained. True I have not gone carefully through the list of powers and spells specifically looking for one that will ruin the day of anybody not on a combat trained mount, but off the top of my head, I can't find anything except this.characters not familiar with their mounts must succeed at a Trick Riding test against the mount’s Social Defense to take their mounts into (but not away from) combat