Another Animal Companion Thread [Archive] - Wizards Community

Another Animal Companion Thread [Archive] - Wizards Community

Post/Author/DateTime Post
Mysticnurse
07-11-05, 10:06 PM Sorry about what is likely to be a stupid question, but my DM is currently incommunicado and I'm trying to do some work on my Druid.
I've just turned 3rd level. I also just recently lost my snake animal companion that I had since 1st level to vicious combat with lizardmen! (excuse me, lizardFOLK).

I know that at 4th level, a Druid can select an animal companion from a different list. But if I summon another animal companion while being 3rd level, do I have to choose from the list on pg. 35 of the PHB that begins with "A druid may begin play with...." ??

Thanks
Xaxor
07-11-05, 10:28 PM Until you hit 4th level, you cannot select anything beyond the starting animal companion choices. You're simply not powerful enough to handle one of the stronger animals.
Thelon Fairblade
07-12-05, 07:50 AM Dude, get a wolf or another Medium Viper. AT 3rd level, your critters get +1 STR and +1 DEX, which makes the wolf stronger and the viper more dextrous. But more importantly, they get +2 HD, which means +2 BAB, and a *feat* (and, since boht are 2 HD critters, an attribute point for being 4 HD)! Viper: Ability Focus, and +1 CON = +3 DC to the poison! Wolf: Improved Trip (+4 to the trip attempt, +5 with the boosted STR) and +1 CON for extra HP. Now your viper poisons on DC 14, or your wolf trips with +6 to the roll!
Mysticnurse
07-12-05, 10:28 AM Thank you Sir Fairblade. I kinda forgot about those "buffing" aspects you noted.
BW0222
07-12-05, 12:07 PM Mysticnurse,

Ask your DM if you can go out and see if you can find some non-starting animals of 1 or 2hd and of relatively low-power. For example:

porcupine
squirrel
bat
bob/wild cat
dire skunk

Etc. work well for starting characters. Although not combat powerful, most critters don't mess with them.

Thanks,

Brett
Thelon Fairblade
07-12-05, 02:57 PM You're welcome, Mysticnurse. I was just updating *my* druid to Level 3, after losing *my* snake (to a disease, believe it or not), and noticed what a power-up the basic critters get. +2 HD later on won't seem like too much, but to a 1 HD or 2 HD critter, it's really impressive!

BTW, don't forget they also will receive save boosts from the increased HD (and +1 Reflex, if DEX went even), and skill increases (1 per HD). and you can teach them an additional "trick"...

Post/Author/DateTime	Post
Mysticnurse 07-11-05, 10:06 PM	Sorry about what is likely to be a stupid question, but my DM is currently incommunicado and I'm trying to do some work on my Druid. I've just turned 3rd level. I also just recently lost my snake animal companion that I had since 1st level to vicious combat with lizardmen! (excuse me, lizardFOLK). I know that at 4th level, a Druid can select an animal companion from a different list. But if I summon another animal companion while being 3rd level, do I have to choose from the list on pg. 35 of the PHB that begins with "A druid may begin play with...." ?? Thanks
Xaxor 07-11-05, 10:28 PM	Until you hit 4th level, you cannot select anything beyond the starting animal companion choices. You're simply not powerful enough to handle one of the stronger animals.
Thelon Fairblade 07-12-05, 07:50 AM	Dude, get a wolf or another Medium Viper. AT 3rd level, your critters get +1 STR and +1 DEX, which makes the wolf stronger and the viper more dextrous. But more importantly, they get +2 HD, which means +2 BAB, and a feat (and, since boht are 2 HD critters, an attribute point for being 4 HD)! Viper: Ability Focus, and +1 CON = +3 DC to the poison! Wolf: Improved Trip (+4 to the trip attempt, +5 with the boosted STR) and +1 CON for extra HP. Now your viper poisons on DC 14, or your wolf trips with +6 to the roll!
Mysticnurse 07-12-05, 10:28 AM	Thank you Sir Fairblade. I kinda forgot about those "buffing" aspects you noted.
BW0222 07-12-05, 12:07 PM	Mysticnurse, Ask your DM if you can go out and see if you can find some non-starting animals of 1 or 2hd and of relatively low-power. For example: porcupine squirrel bat bob/wild cat dire skunk Etc. work well for starting characters. Although not combat powerful, most critters don't mess with them. Thanks, Brett
Thelon Fairblade 07-12-05, 02:57 PM	You're welcome, Mysticnurse. I was just updating my druid to Level 3, after losing my snake (to a disease, believe it or not), and noticed what a power-up the basic critters get. +2 HD later on won't seem like too much, but to a 1 HD or 2 HD critter, it's really impressive! BTW, don't forget they also will receive save boosts from the increased HD (and +1 Reflex, if DEX went even), and skill increases (1 per HD). and you can teach them an additional "trick"...