Animal Companion Help [Archive] - Wizards Community

Animal Companion Help [Archive] - Wizards Community

Post/Author/DateTime Post
tested
12-19-05, 05:27 PM My Ranger just advanced from 5th to 6th level. Accordingly, his wolf companion should advance, somehow, as well. I'm unsure exactly what this entails.

From the Animal Companion sidebar in the Player's Handbook, it appears the wolf gains 2 Hit Die, an additional +2 Natural Armor bonus, a +1 bonus to Strength and Dexterity, an additional bonus trick, and the evasion ability.

The question is really this: what effect does that +2 HD have, other than to hit points? If the wolf now has 4 Hit Die, would it also gain more skill points? Would it be considered Large, per the Monster Manual? In otherwards, do I need to advance this wolf using the Improvement rules found in the MM?
Wolf72
12-19-05, 05:48 PM My Ranger just advanced from 5th to 6th level. Accordingly, his wolf companion should advance, somehow, as well. I'm unsure exactly what this entails.

From the Animal Companion sidebar in the Player's Handbook, it appears the wolf gains 2 Hit Die, an additional +2 Natural Armor bonus, a +1 bonus to Strength and Dexterity, an additional bonus trick, and the evasion ability.

The question is really this: what effect does that +2 HD have, other than to hit points? If the wolf now has 4 Hit Die, would it also gain more skill points? Would it be considered Large, per the Monster Manual? In otherwards, do I need to advance this wolf using the Improvement rules found in the MM?

+2HD, no size change ... but more skill points, +1 ability boost for 4 HD (debateble since technically your critter could put that towards int and no longer be considered an 'animal' ...), better saves, better BAB ... yada yada yada.
Sae Cael Oanar
12-19-05, 06:10 PM what about a feat?
tested
12-19-05, 06:15 PM what about a feat?
That was my next question.

Is there an article I can read on the subject? I didn't notice any under the Rules of the Game column.
Thubby
12-19-05, 07:23 PM i say yes to all of them, think of it more like a character, BAB, saves, the works, it says to see monster manual on advancing monsters, so go nuts

Post/Author/DateTime	Post
tested 12-19-05, 05:27 PM	My Ranger just advanced from 5th to 6th level. Accordingly, his wolf companion should advance, somehow, as well. I'm unsure exactly what this entails. From the Animal Companion sidebar in the Player's Handbook, it appears the wolf gains 2 Hit Die, an additional +2 Natural Armor bonus, a +1 bonus to Strength and Dexterity, an additional bonus trick, and the evasion ability. The question is really this: what effect does that +2 HD have, other than to hit points? If the wolf now has 4 Hit Die, would it also gain more skill points? Would it be considered Large, per the Monster Manual? In otherwards, do I need to advance this wolf using the Improvement rules found in the MM?
Wolf72 12-19-05, 05:48 PM	My Ranger just advanced from 5th to 6th level. Accordingly, his wolf companion should advance, somehow, as well. I'm unsure exactly what this entails. From the Animal Companion sidebar in the Player's Handbook, it appears the wolf gains 2 Hit Die, an additional +2 Natural Armor bonus, a +1 bonus to Strength and Dexterity, an additional bonus trick, and the evasion ability. The question is really this: what effect does that +2 HD have, other than to hit points? If the wolf now has 4 Hit Die, would it also gain more skill points? Would it be considered Large, per the Monster Manual? In otherwards, do I need to advance this wolf using the Improvement rules found in the MM? +2HD, no size change ... but more skill points, +1 ability boost for 4 HD (debateble since technically your critter could put that towards int and no longer be considered an 'animal' ...), better saves, better BAB ... yada yada yada.
Sae Cael Oanar 12-19-05, 06:10 PM	what about a feat?
tested 12-19-05, 06:15 PM	what about a feat? That was my next question. Is there an article I can read on the subject? I didn't notice any under the Rules of the Game column.
Thubby 12-19-05, 07:23 PM	i say yes to all of them, think of it more like a character, BAB, saves, the works, it says to see monster manual on advancing monsters, so go nuts