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Riding gecko mount for Cavalier

I am in the process of creating a Drow Cavalier for an upcoming Throne of Night game. I am trying to add in a (large) riding gecko as a mount and am having trouble doing so.

First off, I do have the Advanced Race Guide package, which is where the large riding gecko is located. When I attempt to add in an animal companion, the only option I have is the baseline giant gecko, which is size small, and I don't see a button to add in a size increase. When attempting to add in a mount using the Other tab on my character, the riding gecko is there, but it is medium. I can use the checkbox under the Minion tab to add in a size increase, but I'm uncertain of whether or not that would have the same stats as the typical large riding gecko, since the stats differ between the two.

I am sorry if this is a confusing read, but this issue has been stumping me for the last hour or so. Any clarification would be appreciated!

-SBI
 
A Mount and a Animal Companion are two VERY different things. They each have their own unique rules in Pathfinder. So just because you have a animal listed as a Mount does not make it a Animal Companion.

You will need to first work out the rules for how your new animal companion will work with your DM. What its abilities are what levels it increases its abilities. Use one of the existing ACs as a baseline.

Then you can go into the Editor and go to the "Race->Race, Animal Comp" tab and then do a New Copy vs an existing AC. Use that to help you enter your new AC with the rules your group has decided on.
 
Thank you for the reply. Let me start by verifying that the animal companion button is the correct method of adding a Cavalier's mount? I always assumed it was, as opposed to adding a mount under the Other tab.

If that is the case, why is the large riding gecko not available as a mount as it is clearly designed for that purpose and I have the required data package? I would think no customizations would be required

That being said, is there a way I can apply a size adjustment within the animal companion functionality? That would solve my problem. Thanks for taking the time to help me.
 
Thank you for the reply. Let me start by verifying that the animal companion button is the correct method of adding a Cavalier's mount? I always assumed it was, as opposed to adding a mount under the Other tab.
Cavaliers get "Animal Companions" which is based on the Druid Class Feature. HERE is the list of the ONLY Animal Companions in Pathfinder. Animal Companions are a "Class Feature" they are not a independent creature. They exist with "very" specific rules.

If that is the case, why is the large riding gecko not available as a mount as it is clearly designed for that purpose and I have the required data package? I would think no customizations would be required
You would need to ask Paizo. The "Giant Gecko" is an Animal Companion and it starts its life as a size small per the rules. Because the "Giant Gecko" is a Class Feature and is NOT a independent creature so it has its own special stats.

That being said, is there a way I can apply a size adjustment within the animal companion functionality? That would solve my problem. Thanks for taking the time to help me.
If you and your DM have decided to add the size change as a "house-rule" this can be done in HL. But remember this is a house-rule so it won't fly in things like PFS.

Switch to your Animal Companion and click on the "Personal" tab. Then add a new "Permanent Adjustment" and select "Size Category" and then set the counter to +1. It will now be Medium and at 4th level will advance to size large.
 
Wow, thanks for the thorough explanation, that makes perfect sense. Now, if only I could figure out how to create a custom Cavalier order (I'm using Order of the Bow from Rogue Genius Games) and I'd be set. Thanks again!

-SBI
 
It appears I have found a bug. My workaround for mount issue has been to add a giant gecko under the animal companion tab and then use the permanent adjustment functionality to adjust the stats to the mount giant gecko.

The bug I've encountered is that the Racial Base Speed permanent adjustment appears to not work for animal companions. I tried it on my cavalier and it applied, but when I try to add it to my animal companion, the base speed does not change. I tried the Speed adjustment, but that appears to be for buffs as it changes the gecko's base speed to 30/40.

If you would prefer I will create a new thread in the appropriate forum for this issue, but I figured I would mention it here in case this is working as intended.
 
hey shadow i also found that if you adujst the sizes and add armor it will say your size is to small. I took the gecko and adjusted the size to med and added armor for a med size and it didnt work. it works for PC's but not AC. FYI i have added the gecko as an AC, Ill link my personal file so it might help in some way.
 
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