Animal Companion formula? hrrm [Archive] - Wizards Community

Animal Companion formula? hrrm [Archive] - Wizards Community

Post/Author/DateTime Post
Centurion_stalker
02-18-04, 11:42 AM Hey Hey.

I was just going over my 3.5 book and found the druid's animal companion no longer follows the set formula i.e 1/2 of the adventuring druids h.d. and 2x the npc druid's hd (check the masters of the wild for this info)

But, 3.5 doesn't give you a formula. It gives a few specific creatures to be used as animal companions, but it doesn't give you any info about other creatures that could be used as animal companions. that is other animals present in the MMI.

~
C_S
The_Ditto
02-18-04, 11:50 AM Originally posted by Centurion_stalker
Hey Hey.

I was just going over my 3.5 book and found the druid's animal companion no longer follows the set formula i.e 1/2 of the adventuring druids h.d. and 2x the npc druid's hd (check the masters of the wild for this info)

But, 3.5 doesn't give you a formula. It gives a few specific creatures to be used as animal companions, but it doesn't give you any info about other creatures that could be used as animal companions. that is other animals present in the MMI.

~
C_S

Keep reading ... there's a section on Animal Companions at the end of the Druid class section in the PHB .. (and SRD) ..

The listed animals you can start play with essentially have (level -0) ... some examples of "higher level" animals:

Ape (Level -3)
Bison (Level -3)
Dire Wolverine (Level: -6)
Dire Lion (Level: -9)

What this means is, for considerations of that animal companion, your level is lower by the indicated amount.

So .. if you were level 7 .. with a Wolf (Level -0), you look on the chart for Animal Companion, and see what Level 7 gives you:

Class Level Bonus HD Natural Armor Adj. Str/Dex Adj. Bonus Tricks Special
6th–8th +4 +4 +2 3 Devotion

But if the same druid took a Dire Wolverine (Level -6), according to the chart, they'd only get 1 bonus trick, Link and Share spells. (7 - 6 = 1 ... so look at level 1 druid)
Centurion_stalker
02-18-04, 08:57 PM No. I mean what about other animal companions not listed in the table there. what about those? like say the toad. that's just an example. It's not one o I'd probably choose but meh.
BW0222
02-18-04, 11:41 PM Centurion_stalker,

The 3.0 HD system simply wasn't a practical. It doesn't take into account special abilities, size, ability scores, etc. A 5HD lion is dramatically more powerful than a 5HD buffalo. A large shark is dramatically less powerful than it's hit dice suggests, as it is much less useful since most adventures it can't be used.

In 3.0, 6th-level druid with a 6hd tiger could kick the pants off any 6th-level NPC -- even barbarian, fighter, or monk won't last long against a 23 Str creature with 5 attacks per round, improved grab, and +16 grapple checks.

The 3.5 system ranks animals based on their actual power. A lion is dramatically more powerful than a 6hd creature. It is more appropriate for a 7th-level character.

In addition, the 3.0 system didn't allow advancement, so druids changed companions upon gaining levels like clothes, since a 1hd eagle was useless at higher levels. Now they have the choice of maintaining the companion and having it gain abilities.

As for alternate creatures, it's the DMs choice on where to place an animal. Look along the druid's example list and place the new animal at the appropriate level.

Thanks,

Brett
Centurion_stalker
02-18-04, 11:46 PM I understand the reasoning behind it.

I just want to know how exactly you would go about doing it. As in, what does it rely on. it isn't their hd, and it isn't CR. so what?

is there a specific formula? Also, I'm thinking of playing a high level character, 30-40 lv. range, and using feats from the BOED like exalted companion, you can get other creatures. So is their say a worked out method for getting new companions.
BW0222
02-19-04, 01:35 AM There is no formula. You look at the current lists and place the animal into one of those lists.

I don't think there are too many animals above a dire tiger or t-rex?

If you wish to create a new category of level-18 including a dire elephant or something go ahead. You are already way into epic levels so I don't see the need to worry about balance.

Thanks,

Brett

Post/Author/DateTime	Post
Centurion_stalker 02-18-04, 11:42 AM	Hey Hey. I was just going over my 3.5 book and found the druid's animal companion no longer follows the set formula i.e 1/2 of the adventuring druids h.d. and 2x the npc druid's hd (check the masters of the wild for this info) But, 3.5 doesn't give you a formula. It gives a few specific creatures to be used as animal companions, but it doesn't give you any info about other creatures that could be used as animal companions. that is other animals present in the MMI. ~ C_S
The_Ditto 02-18-04, 11:50 AM	Originally posted by Centurion_stalker Hey Hey. I was just going over my 3.5 book and found the druid's animal companion no longer follows the set formula i.e 1/2 of the adventuring druids h.d. and 2x the npc druid's hd (check the masters of the wild for this info) But, 3.5 doesn't give you a formula. It gives a few specific creatures to be used as animal companions, but it doesn't give you any info about other creatures that could be used as animal companions. that is other animals present in the MMI. ~ C_S Keep reading ... there's a section on Animal Companions at the end of the Druid class section in the PHB .. (and SRD) .. The listed animals you can start play with essentially have (level -0) ... some examples of "higher level" animals: Ape (Level -3) Bison (Level -3) Dire Wolverine (Level: -6) Dire Lion (Level: -9) What this means is, for considerations of that animal companion, your level is lower by the indicated amount. So .. if you were level 7 .. with a Wolf (Level -0), you look on the chart for Animal Companion, and see what Level 7 gives you: Class Level Bonus HD Natural Armor Adj. Str/Dex Adj. Bonus Tricks Special 6th–8th +4 +4 +2 3 Devotion But if the same druid took a Dire Wolverine (Level -6), according to the chart, they'd only get 1 bonus trick, Link and Share spells. (7 - 6 = 1 ... so look at level 1 druid)
Centurion_stalker 02-18-04, 08:57 PM	No. I mean what about other animal companions not listed in the table there. what about those? like say the toad. that's just an example. It's not one o I'd probably choose but meh.
BW0222 02-18-04, 11:41 PM	Centurion_stalker, The 3.0 HD system simply wasn't a practical. It doesn't take into account special abilities, size, ability scores, etc. A 5HD lion is dramatically more powerful than a 5HD buffalo. A large shark is dramatically less powerful than it's hit dice suggests, as it is much less useful since most adventures it can't be used. In 3.0, 6th-level druid with a 6hd tiger could kick the pants off any 6th-level NPC -- even barbarian, fighter, or monk won't last long against a 23 Str creature with 5 attacks per round, improved grab, and +16 grapple checks. The 3.5 system ranks animals based on their actual power. A lion is dramatically more powerful than a 6hd creature. It is more appropriate for a 7th-level character. In addition, the 3.0 system didn't allow advancement, so druids changed companions upon gaining levels like clothes, since a 1hd eagle was useless at higher levels. Now they have the choice of maintaining the companion and having it gain abilities. As for alternate creatures, it's the DMs choice on where to place an animal. Look along the druid's example list and place the new animal at the appropriate level. Thanks, Brett
Centurion_stalker 02-18-04, 11:46 PM	I understand the reasoning behind it. I just want to know how exactly you would go about doing it. As in, what does it rely on. it isn't their hd, and it isn't CR. so what? is there a specific formula? Also, I'm thinking of playing a high level character, 30-40 lv. range, and using feats from the BOED like exalted companion, you can get other creatures. So is their say a worked out method for getting new companions.
BW0222 02-19-04, 01:35 AM	There is no formula. You look at the current lists and place the animal into one of those lists. I don't think there are too many animals above a dire tiger or t-rex? If you wish to create a new category of level-18 including a dire elephant or something go ahead. You are already way into epic levels so I don't see the need to worry about balance. Thanks, Brett