Some general 3.5 questions

[Aristai]

Hello forums

Just a few questions about some 3.5e things:

The Ashworm Dragoon prestige class (Sandstorm handbook) rides an Ashworm as an exotic mount. For mounts that are also sometimes fought as monsters, such as Ashworms, can the mount assist you in combat when you aren't riding it, making its normal attacks in the same way an animal companion would?

Scouts, from Complete Adventurer, gain trapfinding as a special ability at level 1. However, they do not have disable device as a class skill, and as a skill that cannot be used untrained, can never put any ranks in it. Are they supposed to just find creative ways of getting rid of traps?

Is there a limit to how many classes a character can multiclass into?

Thanks

[Siberys]

The Ashworm Dragoon prestige class (Sandstorm handbook) rides an Ashworm as an exotic mount. For mounts that are also sometimes fought as monsters, such as Ashworms, can the mount assist you in combat when you aren't riding it, making its normal attacks in the same way an animal companion would?

While it doesn't gain intelligence or give you the ability to communicate with it like having an animal companion might, it is combat ready from the implications, and will fight. Furthermore, a handle animal check can influence it to fight specific targets as opposed to just anyone on the field.

Scouts, from Complete Adventurer, gain trapfinding as a special ability at level 1. However, they do not have disable device as a class skill, and as a skill that cannot be used untrained, can never put any ranks in it. Are they supposed to just find creative ways of getting rid of traps?

Official D&D Updates

A couple things here. First, errata dictates they do get disable device.

Secondly, untrained means you can't use it if you have 0 ranks in it, not that you can never train in it. Depending on your DM, you can train the skill in game whether it's simply putting cross class ranks in it as you level up, or finding someone who can teach you according to your DM's direction.

Is there a limit to how many classes a character can multiclass into?

Technically no, but be very cautious about this. Unless you're making a 100th level character and want 5 20th level classes or something, it's best you limit yourself to three at the absolute most. With more multiclassing, the 20% experience problem is the least of your worries. Your character will become significantly underpowered and virtually useless with many low level classes instead of a couple of high level ones.


Try putting A 6th level fighter/5th level wizard (11th level character) versus a 1st level barbarian/bard/cleric/druid/fighter/monk/paladin/ranger/rogue/sorcerer/wizard.

It may seem cool that they get all the nifty class features, but you'd be amazed at just -how- worthless that is.

[Aristai]

Aha, thanks Siberys. I just realised I missed one out, sorry- if you have a base attack bonus high enough to make multiple attacks and you want to do a shield bash, do you do all of your attacks plus the bash or just the first/highest standard attack and the bash? On a full round action as a full attack of course.

[Siberys]

It can be either for the shield bash.

It counts as a one handed or light weapon depending on heavy or light shield, and works as if you were making a normal attack with your off handed weapon. This means two weapon fighting feats will improve your shield bashing as well as Improved Shield Bash.

Although this is a special attack, you do not incur an attack of opportunity from your foe as this is counted as part of a normal attack.

You can also get a spiked shield and enchant the spikes as if they were weapon, gaining both the AC of the shield and the weapon properties of the spike.