animal companion substitution [Archive] - Wizards Community

animal companion substitution [Archive] - Wizards Community

Post/Author/DateTime Post
Jacob W. Michaels
07-07-04, 05:24 PM A player in my campaign is introducing a ranger but neither of us have much interest in an animal companion (there are too many PCs already in the campaign; I'm just generally biased against familiars/companions; and he's more of a role-player than roll-player and doesn't want to have to handle two things).

Any suggestions what I could give him to make up for the loss of that class feature? Thanks.
The_Ditto
07-07-04, 05:29 PM Originally posted by Jacob W. Michaels
A player in my campaign is introducing a ranger but neither of us have much interest in an animal companion (there are too many PCs already in the campaign; I'm just generally biased against familiars/companions; and he's more of a role-player than roll-player and doesn't want to have to handle two things).

Any suggestions what I could give him to make up for the loss of that class feature? Thanks.

Let him take a song bird as his familiar ... :angel:

Nothing says he has to use it in combat ... :angel:

... actually, I recall there being some alternative options in some other books .. not sure where though . sorry ...

Somebody else on these boards will know, however ..
Beamup
07-07-04, 05:33 PM I actually wouldn't give anything myself. The animal companion isn't exactly a critical part of the ranger's ability set.

If you want to grant something, the Self-Sufficient feat seems a good fit flavor-wise, and is a reasonable power level.
Zelphi
07-08-04, 06:19 AM Give him some Dominate Monster spell like abilitiy or something. Or some summon nature's ally spell or whatever...
JoshRodriguez
07-08-04, 08:48 AM If you want to get some utility out of an animal campanion without neccessarilly having it be a combat tool then pick up a raven or hawk or other bird. It's a useful scout once the ranger picks up speak with animals and it can be used as a messenger if you teach it the right trick.
Occams_Razor
07-08-04, 09:02 AM Animal companions can be pretty potent, even if not used that well, so I would suggest a feat, Self-Sufficient sounds good, to replace it. Otherwise, I would suggest you reconsider ditchin the animal companion without a killer reason, because it's great for that ranger image, Role-playing-wise, and can be handy in a pinch...

Post/Author/DateTime	Post
Jacob W. Michaels 07-07-04, 05:24 PM	A player in my campaign is introducing a ranger but neither of us have much interest in an animal companion (there are too many PCs already in the campaign; I'm just generally biased against familiars/companions; and he's more of a role-player than roll-player and doesn't want to have to handle two things). Any suggestions what I could give him to make up for the loss of that class feature? Thanks.
The_Ditto 07-07-04, 05:29 PM	Originally posted by Jacob W. Michaels A player in my campaign is introducing a ranger but neither of us have much interest in an animal companion (there are too many PCs already in the campaign; I'm just generally biased against familiars/companions; and he's more of a role-player than roll-player and doesn't want to have to handle two things). Any suggestions what I could give him to make up for the loss of that class feature? Thanks. Let him take a song bird as his familiar ... :angel: Nothing says he has to use it in combat ... :angel: ... actually, I recall there being some alternative options in some other books .. not sure where though . sorry ... Somebody else on these boards will know, however ..
Beamup 07-07-04, 05:33 PM	I actually wouldn't give anything myself. The animal companion isn't exactly a critical part of the ranger's ability set. If you want to grant something, the Self-Sufficient feat seems a good fit flavor-wise, and is a reasonable power level.
Zelphi 07-08-04, 06:19 AM	Give him some Dominate Monster spell like abilitiy or something. Or some summon nature's ally spell or whatever...
JoshRodriguez 07-08-04, 08:48 AM	If you want to get some utility out of an animal campanion without neccessarilly having it be a combat tool then pick up a raven or hawk or other bird. It's a useful scout once the ranger picks up speak with animals and it can be used as a messenger if you teach it the right trick.
Occams_Razor 07-08-04, 09:02 AM	Animal companions can be pretty potent, even if not used that well, so I would suggest a feat, Self-Sufficient sounds good, to replace it. Otherwise, I would suggest you reconsider ditchin the animal companion without a killer reason, because it's great for that ranger image, Role-playing-wise, and can be handy in a pinch...