Post/Author/DateTime	Post
TapeWurm 01-08-04, 04:23 PM	Apologies for my n00bish questions, but n00b we are. And more than anything, we just want to make sure we're playing right. Now in reading the MANY posts about this, I am even more confused now than ever. Our Druid has a wolf companion. We are desperate to figure out exactly how this sucker determines it's starting HP, as well as it's leveling HP. The player's guide says to get the stats for a wolf from the monster manual. So, based on that the wolf's starting HP is: 2d8+4 (avg 13). So that's to start with, right? Now, the PG also says that it gets the bonus HD of a 1d8, but the chart says no until it hits lvl 3. So the bonus HD only comes into play when it hits lvl 3, right? Then, if so, once lvl 3, the chart says the bonus HD is +2, so when it hits lvl 3, we roll 2d8 to add to it's hit points, correct? AND is this in conjunction with another 2d8+4 that is it's base HD from the MM, or is it ONLY the extra HD that advance his HP? I know many of you will help us on this, and many thanks in advance. We just want to make sure we don't end up with a friggin lvl 3 Wolf with like 60 HP! Cuz that just does not sound right. Anyway, many thanx!
youspoonybard 01-08-04, 05:08 PM	At the beginning, the level 1~2 Druid's Wolf companion only has the 2 HD. When the Druid hits level 3, the wolf gains another 2d8 HD. At this point, it's HP is 4d8 + 4 * con modifier. It's BAB, Base Saves, and the like are the equivalent of a 4 HD wolf, not a 2 HD wolf.
eudas 01-08-04, 05:09 PM	the wolf animal companion does not gain any bonus hit dice (or other special abilities) until the *CHARACTER* hits level 3. The left most column is the CHARACTER'S druid level. eudas
TapeWurm 01-08-04, 07:48 PM	Originally posted by youspoonybard At the beginning, the level 1~2 Druid's Wolf companion only has the 2 HD. When the Druid hits level 3, the wolf gains another 2d8 HD. At this point, it's HP is 4d8 + 4 * con modifier. It's BAB, Base Saves, and the like are the equivalent of a 4 HD wolf, not a 2 HD wolf. So, at lvls 3,4 and 5, upon leveling, the wolf would get 4d8+4 at each of those levels? So potentially, if the druid rolls 8 on each roll (just for the sake of argument), by level 5, the wolf could be up to 148 HP?!?!? Without figuring in con modifier just to ease my suffering. Like this: lvls 1+2 = 40 HP (getting 8 each time) lvls 3+4+5 = 108hp (getting 8 each time) or 2d8+4 2d8+4 4d8+4 4d8+4 4d8+4 I know that rolling 8 each time ain't gonna happen, but it's just to simplify the math for me to make sure the equation itself is right. Thanks for the reply and please let me know if it's right.
Lanoitakude 01-08-04, 10:17 PM	Use the method that the monster manuel uses for HP, taking 55% of the maximum HP for monsters. So a wolf with 108 max HP from dice would have 59 HP + CON*HD.
TapeWurm 01-09-04, 12:23 AM	Originally posted by Lanoitakude Use the method that the monster manuel uses for HP, taking 55% of the maximum HP for monsters. So a wolf with 108 max HP from dice would have 59 HP + CON*HD. A good idea, but for the fact that we are really trying to go with specific rules from the players guide until we are savvy enough to try other ways and houserules and such. We just want to get it right by the book for now, and then migrate to adjust to our likings. Thanks so much though. Oh, if u read the previous post, was it right?
FunkyTrip 01-09-04, 06:37 AM	No, your wolf will get 2HD extra when the player hits lvl 3. Then it will get another 2 extra HD when the player hits lvl 6 and so on. It will not get extra HD at every level.
youspoonybard 01-09-04, 10:38 AM	You don't get the HD every level. During the time the Druid is levels 3~5, the Wolf has an additional 2 HD. The wolf is a 4 HD creature when the Druid is level 3. It is still a 4 HD creature when the Druid is level 5. At level 6, the wolf is a 6 HD creature, and stays that way until the Druid hits level 9. (I think the levels are right...I'm away from my PHB right now).