Post/Author/DateTime	Post
cirthel 11-28-05, 07:18 AM	Hi, I just create a new PC, a gnome gestalt druid/incarnate (paladin variant), using his wolf as mount and companion. I want to make it a kind of “Wolf Master”. Patrolling the woods with his pack of wolves, ready to fight everybody disturbing his woods. What could you propose me? All officials sources are allowed.
Khazra Reborn 11-28-05, 08:10 AM	you could try the beastmaster prestige class for more & better animal companions. Unfotuantely it doesn't go very well with the druid due to lack of casting/wildshape so i'd opt for ranger because you lose much less by multiclassing/taking prcs. Ranger6/beastmaster10/wolflord4 is what i'd suggest. BaB 19, first 2 TWF feats, 3 animal companions & your better with wolves. I'd also suggest not using the incarnate & opting for totemist instead. Why?Roleplayng wise it's a brilliant fit & also it's more powerful IHMO. Focus on combat binds that will enhance both your weapons for TWF.
hogarth 11-28-05, 09:15 AM	you could try the beastmaster prestige class for more & better animal companions. Unfotuantely it doesn't go very well with the druid due to lack of casting/wildshape so i'd opt for ranger because you lose much less by multiclassing/taking prcs. You can always do Druid 20 on one side and Incarnate/Beastmaster/whatever on the other side of the gestalt; that wouldn't affect spellcasting/wildshaping negatively at all. If you take the "Initiate of Nature" feat from the Player's Guide to Faerun, then you can command some more wolves, as well.
Khazra Reborn 11-28-05, 09:50 AM	I really should have though about that. However, as it stands i think my suggestion would make a better character....slightly big headed i know ;) Im also not sure if that would be totally legal as your animal companion would be equivalent to a 33rd level druids IIRC... If you go for my build natural bond is quite helpful as it negates the penalties of being ranger (as opposed to druid). A tactic i suggest is the 2 smaller wolves usin aid another to help the dire wolf (main companion) trip an enemy & then all 4 of you have a dog pile on them (so hard to rsist wolf pile)
hogarth 11-28-05, 10:06 AM	I think any gestalt build that has Druid 20 on one side will be reasonably strong. :) I also think the Beastmaster's "+1 to druid level for animal companions" ability would fall under the category of "2 classes sharing a class feature" and thus you would only get the better of the two class feature progressions at any given level (as per the gestalt rules). Thus a Druid 20 with Beastmaster 10 on the other side would get their best animal companion as a 23rd level druid. I really should have though about that. However, as it stands i think my suggestion would make a better character....slightly big headed i know ;) Im also not sure if that would be totally legal as your animal companion would be equivalent to a 33rd level druids IIRC... If you go for my build natural bond is quite helpful as it negates the penalties of being ranger (as opposed to druid). A tactic i suggest is the 2 smaller wolves usin aid another to help the dire wolf (main companion) trip an enemy & then all 4 of you have a dog pile on them (so hard to rsist wolf pile)
catharz 11-28-05, 11:51 AM	IIRC there is a feat which allows you to apply your anumal companion abilities to your special mount. That would be a good feat for you. Other than that...Well, Serenity (from a Dragon Magazine issue, I don't remember the #) will let you use Wisdom in place of Cha for paladin abilities. Beastmaster isn't a bad class, but the feat requirement is pretty rough. Very importantly, what race are you planning on using? You'd have to be small to use a normal wolf as a mount, and you'd have to be fairly high le vel to use a dire wolf.