Post/Author/DateTime	Post
Sken Dingle 05-15-06, 03:41 AM	I was perusing the PHB 2, and noticed an ommision to the expanded animal companion list. Wanted to ask opinions on the baboon as a first level animal companion. It has almost the same stats as a wolf, but of course it's a baboon. I like the idea, but since it's not RAW...
Red Eyed Antipaladin 05-15-06, 05:15 AM	Races of Eberron has a feat (Aerenal Beastmaster) that allows you to take a Baboon as a companion, with an effective Druid level of (Druid level +3). If you contrast that with the Natural Bond feat (I'm guessing at the name) from Complete Adventurer, which gives you +3 to your effective druid level for companions, it seems it wouldn't be unbalanced to let a Druid have a Baboon as a 1st-level companion. Otherwise,if you want to play by the rules, play an Aerenal Elf and take that feat.
Elzaban the Ethereal 05-15-06, 05:56 AM	Baboon's are a fair bit weaker than wolves. There's really no reason not to allow it, except for the fact that WotC seems to not want to add forgotten animals from the MM onto the list (the hyena is missing, too, sadly).
lukelightning 05-15-06, 10:52 AM	I think hyenas got left out because they are slightly better than wolves (higher strength, so more damage) but not good enough to be bumped up to the next category of animals. I'd say baboons are on par with wolves; perhaps a bit better for an adventurer because of their mobility, but they don't have the trip ability of wolves which is great for a low-level druid (at higher levels you're fighting creature which are large and strong so really have no chance of tripping them).
Sken Dingle 05-15-06, 08:44 PM	I think hyenas got left out because they are slightly better than wolves (higher strength, so more damage) but not good enough to be bumped up to the next category of animals. I'd say baboons are on par with wolves; perhaps a bit better for an adventurer because of their mobility, but they don't have the trip ability of wolves which is great for a low-level druid (at higher levels you're fighting creature which are large and strong so really have no chance of tripping them). The wolf does become large at higher levels, so they could trip something large in later levels. The baboon is stronger than the wolf, but only has 1 HD and doesn't have trip. I think it fits perfectly into that 1st level animal companion spot. Unless they don't want to allow an animal with more than a 13 strength.
ShinQuickMan 05-15-06, 08:58 PM	The wolf does become large at higher levels, so they could trip something large in later levels. Officially, no, that can't happen. Here's an excerpt from the FAQ: When you add Hit Dice to a druid’s (or ranger’s) animal companion as the master’s level goes up, does the animal get any bigger? For instance, when a druid has a wolf companion, the wolf starts out with the standard 2 Hit Dice and is size Medium. By the time the druid is 3rd level, the wolf has 2 bonus Hit Dice. According to the wolf entry in the Monster Manual, an “advanced” wolf with 4 Hit Dice would be Large. Is the example companion wolf also Large? An animal companion doesn’t get bigger when it adds extra Hit Dice for the master’s levels. The advancement entries for creatures, and the rules for advancing monsters, refer to unusually powerful specimens that are simply tougher (and perhaps bigger) than normal for their kinds.
Sken Dingle 05-15-06, 10:31 PM	Officially, no, that can't happen. Here's an excerpt from the FAQ: That's so nice of them to actually put this in the PHB, so everyone can see this. As far as the RAW, I know the FAQ counts, but no BOOK actually makes this clear. The ranger in my group brought his wolf up to large, and since the books never say anything to the contrary, the DM allowed it with flying colors. It does make sense since a player can gert a large animal comprable to a large wolf at around the same level. Dire wolf anyone?