Post/Author/DateTime	Post
Ho-Hunter 05-16-06, 03:29 AM	hi guys! i am playing a druid and reached lvl 4. since my companion died some sessions ago, i want to call a new one. one thing thats in my mind is a flying mount. the other thing is, that i/we need something to help us in combat. what are your suggestions? btw i am planning to go master of many forms after lvl 5, please consider that in your suggestions. thanks for your help, ho-hunter
Surreal 05-16-06, 03:38 AM	A strong combat companion at low levels (and even higher levels) is the Fleshraker Dinosaur from MM3. The problem with going into MoMF is that you no longer advance your companion levels unless you can swindle your DM into allowing that. A dip into Beastmaster and grabbing the Natural Bond feat will boost your companion up 7 levels, which incidentally is an optimal cutoff point for MoMF.
Critical Mass 05-16-06, 03:43 AM	Fleshraker (effective druid level -3) from MM3 will give you some awesome combat support. Animal buffs, venomfire, it's all just extra gravy. The only flying options you have according to PHB2 are dire bat (-3), eagle, hawk, owl, or vulture. If you were Raptoran you could get a dire hawk (-3).
le_Sab 05-16-06, 04:07 AM	one thing thats in my mind is a flying mount. Dire Eagle (Races of Stone) For combat - Riding dog in leather scale barding : Trip, combat training (Combat riding - attack, come, defend, down, guard, heel ) + Druid bonus tricks, scent. Mount for small chars.
Ho-Hunter 05-16-06, 04:26 AM	i cant take the fleshraker, thats for sure. i think our DM wont allow to take more thane one prc, so i have to stick with druid and momf. are there any problems riding the eagle, bat,....? do you have to train the animal to use it as a mount? do you need a harness?.... what would you recommend besides the fleshraker? ape, tiger, lion,....? would you take a companion -3, or would you rather take a companion without the lvl-adjustment, but with the benefits from drd-lvl? thanks!
le_Sab 05-16-06, 04:42 AM	There is riding dog companion for my small size wild dwarf (6 lev) druid: Hit Dice: 6d8+16 (26hp+4d8+8) Speed: 40' Armor Class: 24 (+3Dex,+8Natural,+3barding), touch13, flat-footed21 Base Attack/Grapple: +3/+11 Attack: Bite +8 melee (1d6+5) Space/Reach: 5'/5' Special Attack: Trip (war trained) (A dog that hits with a bite can attempt to trip (+1 to check) as free action without making a touch attack or AOO. If fails, opponent cannot react to trop the dog. Special Qualities: Low-light vision, Scent, Link, Share Spell, Evasion, Devotion, +4 Morale Bonus vs Enchantment spells & effects Tricks: Druid bonus - attack unusual, hold, track: Combat riding - attack, come, defend, down, guard, heel Saves: Fort +7, Ref +8, Will +3 Abilities Str18, Dex17, Con15, Int2, Wis12, Cha6 Skills: Jump+8, Listen+5, Spot+5, Swim+3, Survival+5 (+9*) Racial +4 to Jump, *+4 to Survival Track (scent) Armor Penalty - 2 (Leather Scale) Feats: Alertness,Track, Weapon Focus (Bite), Improuve Grapple
Ho-Hunter 05-16-06, 05:06 AM	i am playing a human, so i need a mount, that is able to carry a human.
Arem_K 05-16-06, 05:38 AM	Fleshraker is the star of the 4th level combat forms. Even without its poison, trip, and pin thing, it is the only pouncer availible. I only have the core monster manual in front of me right now, but if you want a combat form and you can't have the raker, you should either take a crocodile for grappling or a cheetah for tripping. The cheetah has stats similar to the riding dog, but gets three attacks on a full attack. If you want a mount, your only options are the dire eagle (races of stone) or dire bat (core). They are both fairly impressive creatures. The eagle has three attacks and an extra hit die (it will actually have more hit dice than you) and the dire bat has more AC and blindsense. I would go with the eagle.
ShubNiggurath 05-16-06, 06:58 AM	I play core only, so I can't say anything on the flashraker. From what I hear it is probably the best option. But if you can't/don't go there.... Your option is either: Augmented riding dog + you can choose 1 feat, scent, fast Ape + reach, LOTS of damage, good grappler, 3 attacks Leopards and cheetas are good wildhape forms but as animal companions they have only 3hd, while the augmented riding dog and ape have 4. I would suggest to avoid flying forms... they are just too situational (what's their use in a dungeon???). I personally would go for ape, even if he has a lower AC (2 points less, my DM do not allow barding for animal companions). If you can use barding, take into consideration the riding dog. Basically the Ape is an "offensive" companion (great strenght/damage, low AC), while the dog is "defensive" (higher AC, fast, only 1 attack, pitiful damage - but trips), choose depending on your group composition/tactics. PS: the "augmented" riding dog trips at +3 (strenght 15+1 (augmented)=16)