Cavalier

Cavalier

Representing the ultimate in mounted warfare, the cavalier is the quintessential knight in shining armor. The charge of the cavalier is among the most devastating battlefield offensive weapons any culture can hope to field.

Most cavaliers belong to the upper social class of nobility of a society. The cavalier dedicates his life to the service of a higher authority, such as noble or sovereign, deity, military or religious order, or a special cause. His is a hereditary honor that comes with the price of lifelong service to his monarch, country, or other object of service. The cavalier is expected to participate in any wars or other armed conflict in which his lord or cause is engaged. Cavaliers in service to other nobles often serve their master beyond the battlefield as well, performing such duties as their skills, and their noble lord, see fit.

The cavalier often pursues such selfless goals as the eradication of evil and chaos from the world, and justice for all the subjects of his land. He can also be a bully and a braggart who uses his status and privileges to pursue only his own self-aggrandizement.

Hit Die: d10

Requirements

To qualify to become a cavalier, a character must fulfill the following criteria.

Alignment: Lawful.

Base Attack Bonus: +8

Feats: Spirited Charge, Weapon Focus (lance), Weapon Focus (any sword), Mounted Combat, Ride by attack.

Handle Animal: 4 ranks

Knowledge (Nobility and Royalty): 4 ranks

Ride: 6 ranks

Equipment: Masterwork heavy armor and masterwork large shield.

Class Skills

The cavalier's class skills (and the key ability for each skill) are Diplomacy (Cha), Intimidate (Cha), Knowledge (nobility and royalty) (Int), Profession (Int), and Ride (Dex). See Chapter 4: Skills in the Player's Handbook for skill descriptions.

Skill Points at Each Level: +2 Int modifier

Class Features

Weapon and Armor Proficiency: the cavalier is proficient with all simple and martial weapons, all types of armor, and shields.

Knowledge (Nobility and Royalty): The cavalier gains this skill automatically at 1st level without having to purchase it with skills points.

Tall in the Saddle: The cavalier gains a bonus to his ride skill check whenever he uses the mounted combat feat to negate a hit his mount takes in combat.

Deadly Charge: When mounted and using the charge action, you deal triple damage with a melee weapon (quadruple damage with a lance), up to the number of times per day indicated. THie ability supersedes the Spirited Charge feat.

Mounted Weapon Bonus: The cavalier gains a bonus to his attack roll when using the designated weapon while mounted.

Ride Bonus: At 3rd level, the cavalier can urge his mount to greater than normal speeds. This ability doubles the distance of the mount's normal charge movement. This ability can be used once per day without penalty to the mount. Each additional use of the ability in a single day requires the mount to make a Will save (DC 20) immediately after the conclusion of the additional charge; failure results in mount taking 2d6 points of damage.

Full Mounted Attack: At 6th level, the mounted cavalier may attack as a standard action when his mount moves more than 5 feet (assuming an opponent exists to be attacked), rather than as a partial action.