An honest question -- Ranger Companion Why? [Archive] - Wizards Community

An honest question -- Ranger Companion Why? [Archive] - Wizards Community

Post/Author/DateTime Post
The Soul Collector
05-09-06, 11:47 PM I was wondering about the real use of the animal companion rangers get. Coming in at 1/2 level as a druid's animal companion and gaining only a couple of extra hit dice every once in a while. Moreover, they lack some of the even minor advantages familiars get.
Easy to kill and hardly able to do any damage, it can be said that all they are good for is for flanking bonues.

Has anyone found some great use for the ranger animal companion or has put together some type of feat combination or otherwise to make them worthwhile. Perhaps they really are nothing more than a ranger's scout tool but lacking the telepathic link that familars eventually get, even that is limited.

It can also be said that its not some huge deal if a companion dies since they can get another one without too much fuss but it sort of kills things in the roleplaying department.

Thoughts?
Darth Sephiroth
05-09-06, 11:57 PM Well Rangers can easily flank enemies with their companion for one thing.
ClementWillowbreaker
05-10-06, 08:46 AM You can use them as a mount with much more survivability than a normal warhorse. Or as a scout with much more use than a typical animal or hireling. If you want them do deal damage on your level, you will have equip them with gear and invest in buffing spells for them (or get a druid to do it for you). Also, Natural Bond (I think, whatever, it is in the CV) will boost your effective druid level.

Second, they don't have to be tough, you don't take a penalty when they die. You can acquire another for free, unlike a familiar, that costs 100gp and causes experience loss.
aotrscommander
05-10-06, 01:07 PM In the PHB II, they've introduced a optional class feature for rangers that replaces animal companion. (They've also added an option for sorcerers to get an ability in replacement for familars).

I think this is a nice, as sidekicks like familiars and animal companions are not always appropriate to your character concept (or build concept). My necromancer, for exmaple wouldn't have felt right with a familiar (I grovelled and traded in out for Scythe proficency!)

It also implies that you are not alone in thinking that they aren't useful for everyone.
Tristan
05-10-06, 01:10 PM um, so you can have a horse that doesnt die when you poke it with a stick.

So you can have a dog to help you track and take down opponents that doesnt die when you poke it with a stick

So you can have a flying scout that wont die when your DM metagames and has a parinoid NPC shoot him with a stick.

also, when you want to play a PC who likes in the woods and loves nature as his home who has a Hawk for a trusted friend, the Animal companion comes in handy.

Post/Author/DateTime	Post
The Soul Collector 05-09-06, 11:47 PM	I was wondering about the real use of the animal companion rangers get. Coming in at 1/2 level as a druid's animal companion and gaining only a couple of extra hit dice every once in a while. Moreover, they lack some of the even minor advantages familiars get. Easy to kill and hardly able to do any damage, it can be said that all they are good for is for flanking bonues. Has anyone found some great use for the ranger animal companion or has put together some type of feat combination or otherwise to make them worthwhile. Perhaps they really are nothing more than a ranger's scout tool but lacking the telepathic link that familars eventually get, even that is limited. It can also be said that its not some huge deal if a companion dies since they can get another one without too much fuss but it sort of kills things in the roleplaying department. Thoughts?
Darth Sephiroth 05-09-06, 11:57 PM	Well Rangers can easily flank enemies with their companion for one thing.
ClementWillowbreaker 05-10-06, 08:46 AM	You can use them as a mount with much more survivability than a normal warhorse. Or as a scout with much more use than a typical animal or hireling. If you want them do deal damage on your level, you will have equip them with gear and invest in buffing spells for them (or get a druid to do it for you). Also, Natural Bond (I think, whatever, it is in the CV) will boost your effective druid level. Second, they don't have to be tough, you don't take a penalty when they die. You can acquire another for free, unlike a familiar, that costs 100gp and causes experience loss.
aotrscommander 05-10-06, 01:07 PM	In the PHB II, they've introduced a optional class feature for rangers that replaces animal companion. (They've also added an option for sorcerers to get an ability in replacement for familars). I think this is a nice, as sidekicks like familiars and animal companions are not always appropriate to your character concept (or build concept). My necromancer, for exmaple wouldn't have felt right with a familiar (I grovelled and traded in out for Scythe proficency!) It also implies that you are not alone in thinking that they aren't useful for everyone.
Tristan 05-10-06, 01:10 PM	um, so you can have a horse that doesnt die when you poke it with a stick. So you can have a dog to help you track and take down opponents that doesnt die when you poke it with a stick So you can have a flying scout that wont die when your DM metagames and has a parinoid NPC shoot him with a stick. also, when you want to play a PC who likes in the woods and loves nature as his home who has a Hawk for a trusted friend, the Animal companion comes in handy.