Advice for Advancing an Animal Companion [Archive] - Wizards Community

Advice for Advancing an Animal Companion [Archive] - Wizards Community

Post/Author/DateTime Post
rphair
02-11-07, 09:56 PM Animal Companions are one of my favorite class features. Druids are my favorite class, and the Animal Companion feature is just icing on the cake, as far as I'm concerned.

Animal companions gain hit dice as they continue to advance alongside you. They gain, at least by my understanding, feats and skills in accordance with the Animal type (or whatever type they happen to be). So, with that in mind, what are some good feats to shoot for?

Personally, I'm fond of using some of the Monster Manual feats. Improved Natural Attack is good for attack-oriented companions, such as wolves -- which I'm particularly fond of -- or panthers, as may be Improved Natural Armor, with the lack of readily-available and affordable armor-boosting equipment at low levels.

After that, though, I start to run out of ideas. Improved Toughness is probably a good one, especially for an attacker. Improved Trip dovetails with the wolf and some other animals' free trip attempt and natural bonus to said attempt. Combat Reflexes also works well for an animal with a decent Dexterity score. The Dodge -> Mobility -> Spring Attack tree can make for a good hit-and-run companion, useful for distracting or striking at fast enemies, and the Dodge bonus, however small, does add to a companion's AC. A faster-than-average movement speed (a wolf, my aforementioned favorite example, checks in with a considerable 50-foot/round speed, 20 or 30 more than your average human or dwarf!) works well with that particular set of abilities.

For flying companions, eagles and the like, Wingover and Flyby Attack can also prove useful. Dive attacks are a nice way to finish off a wounded enemy, in my experience.

So, what other feats do y'all here at the CharOps board find useful for the average animal companion? The Druid class is usually lauded for its Wild Shape / spellcasting ability, but the Animal Companion feature is particularly useful at low levels, and an animal that stays with a character throughout his or her adventuring career continues to improve with its master, staying fairly useful in many situations.
rphair
02-12-07, 09:15 AM Third page already?

*bumpage*
Detrix
02-12-07, 10:59 AM Add the legendary animal template

Post/Author/DateTime	Post
rphair 02-11-07, 09:56 PM	Animal Companions are one of my favorite class features. Druids are my favorite class, and the Animal Companion feature is just icing on the cake, as far as I'm concerned. Animal companions gain hit dice as they continue to advance alongside you. They gain, at least by my understanding, feats and skills in accordance with the Animal type (or whatever type they happen to be). So, with that in mind, what are some good feats to shoot for? Personally, I'm fond of using some of the Monster Manual feats. Improved Natural Attack is good for attack-oriented companions, such as wolves -- which I'm particularly fond of -- or panthers, as may be Improved Natural Armor, with the lack of readily-available and affordable armor-boosting equipment at low levels. After that, though, I start to run out of ideas. Improved Toughness is probably a good one, especially for an attacker. Improved Trip dovetails with the wolf and some other animals' free trip attempt and natural bonus to said attempt. Combat Reflexes also works well for an animal with a decent Dexterity score. The Dodge -> Mobility -> Spring Attack tree can make for a good hit-and-run companion, useful for distracting or striking at fast enemies, and the Dodge bonus, however small, does add to a companion's AC. A faster-than-average movement speed (a wolf, my aforementioned favorite example, checks in with a considerable 50-foot/round speed, 20 or 30 more than your average human or dwarf!) works well with that particular set of abilities. For flying companions, eagles and the like, Wingover and Flyby Attack can also prove useful. Dive attacks are a nice way to finish off a wounded enemy, in my experience. So, what other feats do y'all here at the CharOps board find useful for the average animal companion? The Druid class is usually lauded for its Wild Shape / spellcasting ability, but the Animal Companion feature is particularly useful at low levels, and an animal that stays with a character throughout his or her adventuring career continues to improve with its master, staying fairly useful in many situations.
rphair 02-12-07, 09:15 AM	Third page already? bumpage
Detrix 02-12-07, 10:59 AM	Add the legendary animal template