How To Build The Best Cavalier In Pathfinder: WotR (2024)

Role-playing games are about adventure and character building, but they're also about travel and inventory space. Having a mount is one way to make both of these activities easier, and there are all kinds of options for giving a character transportation and storage boost. Players of almost every class have access to a mount these days, and there are a few where it's an integral part of the progression and training.

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The Cavalier, one of the classes that's part of the Pathfinder TTRPG universe, is an example of a class that's built around the idea of having a mount as a part of the progression and build from the start. There are a few Cavalier builds in the video incarnation of the video game, Wrath of the Righteous, in which a character can exchange the advantage of a ridable animal companion for another power. That doesn't mean that these Cavaliers can't be equipped with a conventional mount like other classes in the game.

The Cavalier - Character Creation

Ability Scores

• Strength. A Cavalier is essentially a fighting class and relies on Strength for most of their core abilities.
• Constitution. Any melee fighter needs more hit points, which means the highest Constitution score possible.
• Charisma. The Cavalier's special abilities include a few spontaneous spells based on their Charisma. A Cavalier still has these abilities with a low Charisma, but how effective they are depends on this score.
• Dexterity. Only important to characters who use finesse weapons or ranged weapons, so this is entirely a matter of the individual build.
• Wisdom. The main stat for Divine casters isn't of much use to the Cavalier, but it is handy for Perception and Religion Lore checks.
• Intelligence. Great for Arcane Knowledge checks and casting abilities for Wizards, but other than that, this is the closest the Cavalier gets to the dump stat.

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Party Roles

• Defense. The usual role Cavaliers take since they can ride into battle ahead of the rest of the team. Not only a mighty steed, but also a sword and shield, can lead your party in combat.
• Damage. The Cavalier can also take on two-handed weapons like warhammers and greatswords to lay some serious waste while the enemies are distracted by the main Defender.
• Damage and Defense. Aside from a straight-up Defender, Cavaliers have a handy mount that can move them around the battlefield quickly, so they can move to the aid of their allies.

Racial Choices

• Aasimar. The Heritage choices here offer bonuses to Constitution or Strength, but not both. It's not the best choice, but it has potential.
• Dhampir. Known for strength but not Constitution, the Dhampir is also a tricky class to heal due to being undead. It's better for a damage-based build.
• Dwarf. The Constitution buff is a nice start, and the Charisma penalty might not matter depending on your exact party role.
• Elf. The Dexterity and Intelligence buffs are great, but not useful to the Cavalier's most important Ability Scores.
• Gnome. The Constitution bonus has a trade-off, a penalty in your Strength score. This is a Cavalier with an interesting choice of smaller mounts, in case that's a part of the build.

• Half-Elf. Add +2 to the Ability Score of your choice to start out this Cavalier, which will also have innate skills like Keen Senses and Elven Immunities.
• Half-Orc. The ideal choice for a damage-based Cavalier build because of their talent with Orcish weapons and other abilities like Orc Ferocity.
• Halfling. The Dexterity and Charisma buffs suit a Bard or Rogue better than a Cavalier, but skills like Fearless and Halfling Luck give it some potential. There's even one type of Cavalier subclass that's only available to Halflings.
• Human. An ideal race for any class, players can add +2 any ability score and take advantage of an extra Feat to help round out any missing abilities or skills from your planned build.
• Kitsune. Intelligence and Dexterity are the advantages to this race, but they aren't useful to a Cavalier. Plus, every Heritage choice takes a Strength penalty.
• Oread. Every choice for Oread Heritage has either Strength or Constitution, so this is a better start than other racial choices.
• Tiefling. There are several choices for Tiefling Heritage and many of them offer bonuses to both Strength and Constitution. Choose carefully as there are a few options that also include penalties to these important Ability Scores.

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The Cavalier Subclasses

• Beast Rider. It sounds too obvious, but this is a Cavalier that maintains a close relationship with their animal companions as opposed to just being an accomplished rider.
• Cavalier of the Paw. Only available to Halflings, these daring Cavaliers use their powers of wilderness savvy and animal companions to defend their woodland homes. This is also the only Cavalier subclass that does not include an Order.
• Cavalier of the Pike. It's more than just expertise with a lethal weapon. These cavaliers can use a unique variety of large and complicated weapons.
• Fearsome Leader. This subclass relies on skills like Dazzling Display to inspire their allies and terrify their enemies. They lose their Tactician powers in exchange, however.
• Gendarme. Less of a planner and more of a loose cannon with a mount, this subclass also loses their Tactician ability, but they don't care. A handy extra Feat also cushions the blow.
• Knight of the Wall. These Cavaliers specialize in defending certain tactical points and have extra shield abilities. Handy skills if you're fighting a Crusade.
• Standard Bearer. A Cavalier of this subclass can lead an army or stand above the fray at a distance and be just as effective for rallying troop morale.

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Prestige Classes And Multi-Classing Options

Regular Classes

• Alchemist. This would require a higher Intelligence score, but an interesting venue to make your Cavalier a demolitions expert.
• Barbarian. A mounted Barbarian charging into battle in the midst of a bloodthirsty Rage is pretty cool, plus the emphasis both classes have on Strength, and this actually makes sense.
• Fighter. Both classes value Strength and Constitution, and the Cavalier gets some extra fighting Feats and weapon proficiencies.
• Kineticist. A creative way to give any character more options for unarmed damage at the melee range and are based on Constitution, with some exceptions depending on the subclass.
• Magus. A nice way to give a Cavalier some Arcane casting knowledge and abilities, a Magus usually bases their abilities on Intelligence, but the Eldritch Scion subclasses use Charisma instead.
• Shaman. If Cavalier has some extra points in Wisdom, this is a nice multi-class option if you want skills like Stealth and lockpick abilities along with some handy healing spells.
• Skald. Essentially a kind of Bard, but one that wears more armor and can cast more offensive spells, which makes it a nice combination with a Cavalier who values leadership skills.
• Wizard. A Cavalier with Arcane casting abilities would be a force to be reckoned with in battle, but a Cavalier needs a high Intelligence first.

Prestige Classes

• Dragon Disciple. A Cavalier with dragon-like powers is an interesting concept, and it looks just as impressive as it sounds. It requires the ability to cast spells spontaneously and some Arcane Knowledge, which any character can access through skill points.
• Stalwart Defender. An obvious choice for any character that's chosen the role of Defender, this Prestige Class requires Feats like Dodge and Toughness.
• Hellknight. As long as your Cavalier is of a Lawful alignment, the ability to wear heavy armor, and an Arcana Knowledge of at least two.
• Aldori Swordlord. A Cavalier that's dedicated to improving their melee damage abilities as opposed to defensive skills can become an Aldori Swordlord, provided they have abilities like Weapon Finesse and are proficient with a dueling sword.
• Student of War. In a game about leading a Crusade, the abilities granted by this Prestige Class make a lot of sense. The requirements include combat expertise and a variety of Knowledge checks including Nature, Religion, and Arcane.

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Examples Of Cavalier Builds

Knight In Shining Armor

• Party Role: Defense.
• Ideal Race: Oread or Dwarf, for the Strength and Constitution bonuses.
• Best Subclass: Knight of the Wall or Gendarme, depending on whether this Cavalier build focuses on their noble steed.
• Important Ability Scores: Constitution edges out Strength here because a defender has to take a lot of hit points, but you also have to be effective with your melee weapon.

Wilderness Patroller

• Party Role: Damage.
• Ideal Race: Halfling, which is required for paw, but Oread or Orc would be better for the Pike because of the extra Strength bonuses or weapon skills.
• Best Subclass: Cavalier of the Paw or Cavalier of the Pike, subclasses that can do extra damage either via bigger weapons or quicker movement.
• Important Ability Scores: After Strength and Constitution are sorted, Dexterity is an important Ability Score for this role. This character needs to be able to move quickly and deal extra damage when they can.

The Wood Elf Build

• Party Role: Defense/Damage, with an emphasis on the latter.
• Ideal Race: Elf or Gnome, but any race with a Dexterity bonus or a ranged-weapon proficiency is ideal.
• Best Subclass: Beast Rider or Standard Bearer, two subclasses with the best options for ranged combat.
• Important Ability Scores: A build that relies more on movement than hit points, this is one Cavalier that can focus more on fighting from a distance or coming to the aid of allies in a pinch. Prioritize Strength and Dexterity for this build.

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