Representing the ultimate in mounted warfare, the cavalier is the quintessential knight in shining armor.
Weapon and Armor Proficiency: Cavaliers are proficient with all simple and martial weapons, all types of armor, and shields.
Special Mount: A cavalier's class levels stack with any paladin levels the character might have for determining the characteristics of a paladin's mount.
Mounted Weapon Bonus (Ex): A cavalier gains a competence bonus on his attack roll when using the indicated weapon while mounted. For the lance, this bonus starts out at +1 at 1st level and increases by +1 every four levels thereafter. For the sword, this bonus starts out at +1 at 2nd level and increases by +1 every four levels thereafter.
Ride Bonus (Ex): A cavalier gains a competence bonus on Ride checks. This bonus starts out at +2 and improves to +4 at 4th level, +6 at 7th level, and +8 at 9th level.
Courtly Knowledge (Ex): A cavalier adds his class level to his Knowledge (nobility and royalty) checks as a competence bonus.
Deadly Charge (Ex): When mounted and using the charge action, a cavalier of 2nd level or higher may declare a "deadly charge" before making his attack roll (thus, a failed attack ruins the attempt). If he hits, he deals triple damage with a melee weapon (or quadruple damage with a lance). This ability does not stack with the benefit of the Spirited Charge feat.
Burst of Speed (Ex): At 3rd level and higher, a cavalier can urge his mount to greater than normal speed when charging. This ability doubles the maximum distance the mount can travel when making a charge, up to four times its speed. This ability can be used once per day without penalty to the mount. Each additional use of the ability in a single day requires the mount to make a DC 20 Will save immediately after the conclusion of the charge; failure results in the mount taking 2d6 points of damage.
Full Mounted Attack (Ex): At 6th level and higher, a mounted cavalier can make a full attack when his mount moves more than 5 feet but no farther than a single move action would carry it. The cavalier cannot combine this full attack with a charge.
Unstoppable Charge (Ex): When making a deadly charge, a 10th-level cavalier deals quadruple damage with a melee weapon (or quintuple damage with a lance).
Multiclass Note: A paladin who becomes a cavalier may continue advancing as a paladin.
