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Player Core / Chapter 6: Equipment / Gear

Animals

Source Player Core pg. 295 Spring 2026, 1st Printing
The Prices for animals are listed both for renting and for purchasing them outright. You usually need to pay for animal rentals up front, and if the vendor believes the animal might be put in danger, they typically require a deposit equal to the purchase Price.

Most animals panic in battle unless specifically trained otherwise. When combat begins, they become frightened 4 and fleeing as long as they're frightened. If you successfully Command an Animal using Nature, you can keep it from fleeing, though this doesn't remove its frightened condition. If the animal is attacked or damaged, it returns to frightened 4 and fleeing, with the same exceptions.

Warhorses and warponies are combat trained. They don't become frightened or fleeing during encounters in this way.

Statistics for the animals appear in Monster Core.

Animals

AnimalSpecific AnimalRental Price* (Per Day)Purchase Price
BirdMessenger raven8 cp per day 4 gp
Hunting eagle8 sp per day 8 gp
DogGuard dog1 cp per day 2 sp
Service dog 6 cp per day 4 gp
Riding dog 6 cp per day 4 gp
HorseRiding horse1 sp per day 8 gp
Warhorse1 gp per day 30 gp (level 2)
Pack animal2 cp per day 2 gp
PonyRiding pony8 cp per day 7 gp
Warpony8 sp per day 24 gp (level 2)
* Might require a deposit equal to the purchase Price.

Barding

Source Player Core pg. 295 Spring 2026, 1st Printing
You can purchase special armor for animals, called barding (shown on the Barding table). All animals have a trained proficiency rank in light barding, and combattrained animals are trained in heavy barding. Barding uses the same rules as armor except for the following. The Price and Bulk of barding depend on the animal’s size (use the statistics for Small barding for creatures below Small size). Barding can’t be etched with magic runes, though special magical barding might be available.

Table 6-18: Barding

SizeBardingPriceAC BonusDex CapCheck PenaltySpeed PenaltyBulkStrength
LightSmall or Medium10 gp+1+5-1-5 ft.2+3
Large20 gp+1+5-1-5 ft.4+3
HeavySmall or Medium (Level 2)25 gp+3+3-3-10 ft.4+5
Large (Level 3)50 gp+3+3-3-10 ft.8+5