Animal Companion Replacement? [Archive] - Wizards Community

Animal Companion Replacement? [Archive] - Wizards Community

Post/Author/DateTime Post
DM_Jeff
05-11-04, 01:58 PM Just looking for options here:

My wife's druid character loves the 3.5 druid concept and has been playing in our campaign from 1st level (they're now 4th). While she enjoys the aspect of temporarily befriending animals and working with them, she's not too keen on the animal companion part. It's an extra creature (and stats) for her to track and she'd rather concentrate on just her PC's abilities.

I have been thinking of removing the Animal Companion from the druid class and replacing it with something else. While I have a few general ideas, I wanted to come to the expert community first, anyone have some good ideas?

P.S. Lots of stuff I come up with is a nice quick-n-dirty fix, but remember an Animal Companion grows with your PC (and literally in power) as the druid levels...

-DM Jeff
Shadowfax7
05-11-04, 02:24 PM I believe if a player doesn't want to use an ability granted by a class, it is their choice, but no replacement ability should be given. This can be a RP aspect of the character.

Now, since this IS your wife, this ruling can get problematic . . . :rolleyes:

Here's a suggestion: Natural Spell feat for free at 5th level. :D
Ashcroft
05-11-04, 03:21 PM Perhaps 'craft infusion' or whatever the feat was called also, this would futher enhance her ability to function while wildshaped, if that's something she's keen on.
Tarus
05-16-04, 01:08 AM I have the same problem with wizards and familier's.

When I play a wizard I absolutly hate familiers...they create more stats to track, force me to split my attention between two 'characters', and if they die im penalized.
TheEmperor
05-16-04, 01:15 AM She can just have the animal companion tag along, and not keep track of stats or anything, but I don't think you can replace it with anything. Animal companions can be very very powerful. My 5th level druid's animal companion had almost as much HP and did almost as much damage as our fighter.

Maybe get a bird animal companion that will scout, but wont take place in combat so she doesn't have to keep track of stats.

Post/Author/DateTime	Post
DM_Jeff 05-11-04, 01:58 PM	Just looking for options here: My wife's druid character loves the 3.5 druid concept and has been playing in our campaign from 1st level (they're now 4th). While she enjoys the aspect of temporarily befriending animals and working with them, she's not too keen on the animal companion part. It's an extra creature (and stats) for her to track and she'd rather concentrate on just her PC's abilities. I have been thinking of removing the Animal Companion from the druid class and replacing it with something else. While I have a few general ideas, I wanted to come to the expert community first, anyone have some good ideas? P.S. Lots of stuff I come up with is a nice quick-n-dirty fix, but remember an Animal Companion grows with your PC (and literally in power) as the druid levels... -DM Jeff
Shadowfax7 05-11-04, 02:24 PM	I believe if a player doesn't want to use an ability granted by a class, it is their choice, but no replacement ability should be given. This can be a RP aspect of the character. Now, since this IS your wife, this ruling can get problematic . . . :rolleyes: Here's a suggestion: Natural Spell feat for free at 5th level. :D
Ashcroft 05-11-04, 03:21 PM	Perhaps 'craft infusion' or whatever the feat was called also, this would futher enhance her ability to function while wildshaped, if that's something she's keen on.
Tarus 05-16-04, 01:08 AM	I have the same problem with wizards and familier's. When I play a wizard I absolutly hate familiers...they create more stats to track, force me to split my attention between two 'characters', and if they die im penalized.
TheEmperor 05-16-04, 01:15 AM	She can just have the animal companion tag along, and not keep track of stats or anything, but I don't think you can replace it with anything. Animal companions can be very very powerful. My 5th level druid's animal companion had almost as much HP and did almost as much damage as our fighter. Maybe get a bird animal companion that will scout, but wont take place in combat so she doesn't have to keep track of stats.