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Dec 20, 2009 -- 6:43AM, Matt_James wrote:

Mounts look to be a gigantic mess in campaigns like LFR.  I run into issues anytime I play outside of my standard group (i.e. conventions, game days, etc...).  Look for me at DDXP- my mounts will sure be cause for issues.  And no, I don't go out of my way to cause issues.  If a DM rules one way or another, I would never cause a stink.  I'm here to have fun and I have always enjoyed mounts in each edition.

A basic problem is that mounts are inherently not supposed to be useful in every combat.  This is reflected in the fact that they are arguably more powerful than most magic items of their cost (and is enhanced by the fact that you don't need to replace them if they die in LFR).

"Mounts are the most fun when used as part of wilderness adventures, mass battles, and other situations where the characters have open spaces to fight in and long distances to cover.
[...]
If you have any doubts about the effect that mounts have on the campaign, keep them on the sidelines or create story reasons to limit them. For example, the PCs might gain the use of a flight of griffons, but only when they undertake specific missions on the elf king’s behalf. Be forthright with the players. Let them know that they can have cool mounts within the limits you set before they get a chance to use them." (DMG, p. 47)

I'd be hard-pressed to name any other item or ability that a DM is explicitly encouraged to create story reasons to limit its use.  As such, the real problem isn't that LFR DMs are going to regularly decide that your mount isn't really suitable for the adventure, because that's exactly what the core rules assume is going to happen.

The real problem is that you often aren't going to know what the situation is until you sit down at the table, which eliminates the open communication and forthrightness that the DMG says is essential.  This isn't your fault, since you usually have no way of letting a DM know ahead of time that you'd like to know how they're going to deal with your mount; nor is it the DM's, since he's the one getting put on the spot to make the call without any forewarning.

Unfortunately, I don't see any solution to the problem aside from players who buy mounts sitting down at the table with the understanding (and even expectation) that this might be one of the adventures they end up (for all or part of the adventure) being unable to use their mount and accepting that with a good attitude.

Dec 23, 2009 -- 4:21AM, The1Darklord wrote:

Hey Joe_Shill,

I notice you don't have Blade Spider or Griffon on your list of mounts, I think you're missing the monster manual mounts? I've been considering buying a Blade Spider for my just turned level 10 Warrior, I'm still concerned it'll be nerfed though.

A Griffon looks great, it's gets two +14 attacks plus it's riders attack when it charges, that's not bad at all! Flight would be handy.

Also I think the Dire Wolf looks pretty good, getting CA almost all the time is really nice. 

Daniel. 

I was restricting my list to high-heroic/low-paragon.  Considering the higher prices of both the Blade Spider and the Griffon, and the amount of found items a player would have to sell in order to purchase the mount, it puts them slightly out of that range.

I'm expecting that Blade Spider will receive the same nerf-hammer that Giant Riding Lizard did.  It has spider-climb which would be great for anyone wanting to attack from range, but it's movement speed is fairly slow, which limits its usefulness for someone wanting high mobility.

The Griffon's fly speed of 10 is truly excellent, as is it's two claw attacks when the rider charges.  It's price is simply too high for the tier that I was trying to address.

Dire Wolf - I can see that rogues on Dire Wolves would have a great time.  Perhaps it might go up a notch or so on my list.

Aye the Griffon is expensive, but if you're willing to save up/sell an item or two you can get the money for even a Blade Spider by level 10. Personally I took an Amulet of attenuation +3 from SPEC1-2 which has just sold for a nice 4200gp which really helped! 

So I have the 13000+gp sitting there ready to spend but I'm reticent to buy that Blade Spider, with the possible nerfage, so I'm very tempted to go for a Griffon instead. 

All I'd need to go with it is something to prevent against a little falling damage! Mind you as the Griffon doesn't have a hover speed it may not be needed.

Daniel. 

Fair point that, the more I look at that Griffon the more I like it, combined with a badge of the berserker to allow charging each turn without opportunity attacks, you can get 3 attacks on an enemy each turn. 

Hmm...  

Daniel.