A Monster tamer class? [Archive] - Wizards Community

A Monster tamer class? [Archive] - Wizards Community

Post/Author/DateTime Post
Aohd
06-11-04, 07:48 PM I am Just starting a new campaign as a player. i got to say that I am trying to think out side the box for this one.

My character concept is something like a high fantasy lion tamer. But instead of lions I train monsters. Now then I am wondering what is the best non prestige class way to make such a character. Keep in mind I do not want to be a magical character. I want the characters skill and guts to be the reason that his beast is so well trained not some divine dictate or magical manipulation.

I guess my question is: What is the best class to represent that. what are the best feats to take to make my beast even more powerful. Is there anywhere I can find a list of prices for captured monster cubs/eggs etc that I could buy and then train? My dm is pretty easy going so most published d20 classes will be cool with him, but he is not as open to creating new classes.

Anyone got any advice?
Not a monkey
06-11-04, 08:00 PM The Arms & Equipment Guide has critter purchase prices. I'd recommend a Bard/Druid to get the right feel for this. There are some prestige classes that might work, but you have to build up the prerequisites.
was_fired
06-11-04, 08:01 PM Only way I know of is an epic ranger with handle animal. DC 25 + HD to rear a magical beast and this takes one year. Training one takes one month and has a DC of 40 + HD. This is possible at higher levels if you focus on it. You can get a +30 from a magical item and +5 from skill boosting feats. Ignoring the cost involved it means you only need a natural skill modifier 5 + HD to train a magical beast. So by 15th level or so when you might be able to afford this you should be able to have at least a non-magical mod of 25 to your handle animal skill which will magic would allow you to rear a 30 HD magical beast or train a 15 HD one.

Of course the time requirements of doing this are huge so I don't know if it would work in most adventures. Also by 15th level a 15 HD magical beast wouldn't be that great. It might make a nice mount though. If nothing else it would look cool as you swooped in on a huge chimera.
JustKim
06-11-04, 08:12 PM Druid is hands down the best monster trainer class, but they're also primary spellcasters. Rangers don't cast spells, but they're only half as good at monster training. Here you have a conundrum that's practically begging for a tailored class, but your DM is against that and you don't want to cast spells. Something has to give.

Is there anywhere I can find a list of prices for captured monster cubs/eggs etc that I could buy and then train?
Arms & Equipment Guide has a variety of monsters in the hirelings section along with prices and DCs for training them. Draconomicon has a bit of information on raising dragons. Dragon magazine #320, on the shelves now, also has an article on raising dragons and will probably give you a lot more bang for your buck than a sidebar in a $40 book.

This is just a guess, but something like BESM or an anime-themed d20 game might have a monster trainer class.

Post/Author/DateTime	Post
Aohd 06-11-04, 07:48 PM	I am Just starting a new campaign as a player. i got to say that I am trying to think out side the box for this one. My character concept is something like a high fantasy lion tamer. But instead of lions I train monsters. Now then I am wondering what is the best non prestige class way to make such a character. Keep in mind I do not want to be a magical character. I want the characters skill and guts to be the reason that his beast is so well trained not some divine dictate or magical manipulation. I guess my question is: What is the best class to represent that. what are the best feats to take to make my beast even more powerful. Is there anywhere I can find a list of prices for captured monster cubs/eggs etc that I could buy and then train? My dm is pretty easy going so most published d20 classes will be cool with him, but he is not as open to creating new classes. Anyone got any advice?
Not a monkey 06-11-04, 08:00 PM	The Arms & Equipment Guide has critter purchase prices. I'd recommend a Bard/Druid to get the right feel for this. There are some prestige classes that might work, but you have to build up the prerequisites.
was_fired 06-11-04, 08:01 PM	Only way I know of is an epic ranger with handle animal. DC 25 + HD to rear a magical beast and this takes one year. Training one takes one month and has a DC of 40 + HD. This is possible at higher levels if you focus on it. You can get a +30 from a magical item and +5 from skill boosting feats. Ignoring the cost involved it means you only need a natural skill modifier 5 + HD to train a magical beast. So by 15th level or so when you might be able to afford this you should be able to have at least a non-magical mod of 25 to your handle animal skill which will magic would allow you to rear a 30 HD magical beast or train a 15 HD one. Of course the time requirements of doing this are huge so I don't know if it would work in most adventures. Also by 15th level a 15 HD magical beast wouldn't be that great. It might make a nice mount though. If nothing else it would look cool as you swooped in on a huge chimera.
JustKim 06-11-04, 08:12 PM	Druid is hands down the best monster trainer class, but they're also primary spellcasters. Rangers don't cast spells, but they're only half as good at monster training. Here you have a conundrum that's practically begging for a tailored class, but your DM is against that and you don't want to cast spells. Something has to give. Is there anywhere I can find a list of prices for captured monster cubs/eggs etc that I could buy and then train? Arms & Equipment Guide has a variety of monsters in the hirelings section along with prices and DCs for training them. Draconomicon has a bit of information on raising dragons. Dragon magazine #320, on the shelves now, also has an article on raising dragons and will probably give you a lot more bang for your buck than a sidebar in a $40 book. This is just a guess, but something like BESM or an anime-themed d20 game might have a monster trainer class.