Resists for Animal Companions?

[MOK]

My current run is full of mounts, and they're pretty great. But their biggest weakness has been their resists. Earlier, I assumed that my Paladin would help keep them tough, but I'm not noticing that panning out. I even overlooked that Bestow Grace only works on good-aligned characters, and animals are neutral.

So can anyone suggest how to make my mounts less prone to getting webbed and such?
If you've managed to make them tough, what are the primary ingredients?

[Moo]

I usually take mounted combat, and indomitable mount feats. For the mounts themselves I usually take iron will.

[Roknar]

Oracle with some animal discovery adds his charisma to all animals (saving throws) or something along those lines

[Raikon]

The oracle and shaman can get bonuses to animals via thier charisma modifier. Its possible it may stack, ive never tried.

[Roknar]

I guess skald greater celestial totem also adds saves vs evil, but I heard that one is bugged., but even it if it works, it's no different than any other buff you would slap on your party.

Since you mentioned webbing, freedom of movement comes to mind for example. Tedious but super effective.

[MOK]

Yeah ive got lot of accesss to FoM, but that's far too many necessary casts. Permanent/automatic improvements to their reflex and will are the big ones. I'll look into the Oracle & Shaman options. It's a big enough issue that if it works out I guess I'll have to bump sosiel out.

As for Indomitable Mount, it seems to me that's not a viable option unless it's a dex character. The rolls look like they'll be just too high to make unless mobility is maxed and dex is high and armor is light. But I have taken it on one my chracters that fits the bill.

[Roknar]

There s a mod to help with the tedium, bubble buff or so. I haven't checked it out yet myself but if I start a third playthough I probably will. Casts all your buffs at once or so

[MOK]

Nah i don't mean tedium, I mean casting slots. casting freedom of movement on 6 animal companions blows out the entire spell level unless you take abundant casting. And even then it doesn't leave much left.

So right now I'm lookin at Oracle's friend to animals, and that'll be great. If Shaman has something like it, or there's another source, does it stack?

[Moo]

Originally posted by MOK:

As for Indomitable Mount, it seems to me that's not a viable option unless it's a dex character. The rolls look like they'll be just too high to make unless mobility is maxed and dex is high and armor is light. But I have taken it on one my chracters that fits the bill.

There are a lot of items that give at least +5 bonus to mobility, with many giving +10 bonus. Unless you are playing on Unfair, your mounted characters don't need to wear heavy armor, vast majority of attacks will be directed at your animal companion, I'd wear armor that gives other additional benefits.

[Raikon]

If your playing unfair, then mounts are pretty useless in the first place. Mounts and animal companions are great on lower difficulties.

[Moo]

Mounts are great on any difficulty. You can never have too many party members on Unfair, let alone six additional party members.

[Raikon]

Depends if the mount gets in your way, or if you are riding one who dies, and all enemies get attacks of opportunities on you. I've not had great success with animal companions in unfair. If I want a sacrificial party member, I just summon a bunch of random mobs.

[Raikon]

Even if I'm soloing unfair with an animal companion, it's usually just for mobility/athletic checks, and extra carrying space. It usually stealths and holds ground somewhere.

[Moo]

Maybe they are less effective in RT mode, I normally play in turn based and the benefits far outweighs any drawbacks. The sub sonic hum crystals and maybe a few others may give the mounts some trouble, but the vast majority of time, the full round attacks my party members can do due to the mounts will have mostly wrapped up the encounter on the first turn.