Animal Companion, how viable for a Fochlucan Lyrist? [Archive] - Wizards Community

Animal Companion, how viable for a Fochlucan Lyrist? [Archive] - Wizards Community

Post/Author/DateTime Post
Nithendil
03-09-06, 05:55 PM I have a couple options for my Fochlucan Lyrist. Our party is small (a monk/rogue and ranger/fighter) and the Fochlucan will be built pretty standard for a sensible DM (so no 3 prestige class combos, evasion cheats, etc). We're starting off at level 6. Race will either be human of half-elf, so no multiclass worries (you essentially have to break the multiclass rules to get into this class as it is presented in the complete adventurer, and my DM has approved the class). I'm not trying to powergame the class, just make sure it is viable.

1) The first option is to start off as rogue1/druid3/bard2 (going towards r2/d4/b4/FL10) with the nature's bond feat (complete adventurer), which should give me a 6 HD animal companion, an additional figher partner for a small party. I understand this feat would essentially turn worthless in later levels, but I'm wondering if it will help us out during the beginning ones. This option also gives me trackless step, which could be useful.

How viable would this animal companion be during the next 3 levels (7,8,9)?
Would a 6HD animal companion still be viable at level 8 or 9?

2) The second option is to start off as rogue1/druid1/bard4 (going towards r2/d1/b7), making the animal companion completly useless, I assume. Option 1 gives me 2nd level druid spells, option 2 gives me 2nd level bard spells.
Raum_ul_Amon
03-09-06, 06:11 PM I think you would be best served to go with Human w/ Able Learner feat if you want to stray too much from a Bard 7 build as the perform 13 requirement is gonna suck up alot of Skill Points from your other classes if you don't. Not to mention the Diplomay/Sense Motive requirements.

I would recommend the Arcane Heirophant from the Races of the Wild class if you are looking for a druid/arcane caster with a companion. It has a great spell progression chart AND it's level stack with your druid levels for the power of your Animal Companion, not to mention the fact that you can 'meld' your Animal Companion and Familiar into one creature ... very cool IMO.

My FL is going mostly Bard because we have a very well balanced party and I am doing mostly backup on all roles. We have a single-class Cleric who is going for the Radiant Servant of Pelor PrC so healing isn't a huge issue so early levels I am adding some fighter going to go Ftr2/Rg2/Drd1/Brd5/FL10.

It seems that your group doesn't have a primary healer so I would suggest going more Druid if you are gonna go FL. Furthermore I think that your Animal Companion could act as an adequate 'delay' at levels 7-8, more like a speedbump at 9 tho :(
Namarus
03-09-06, 06:29 PM Quite honestly your companion is going to last one maybe two hits at higher levels.

At level 6 I would suggest a riding dog, at low levels, since this has the best ac and hit points. Slap some armour on it, and talk to your GM about getting it war trained.

It will make a good flanking buddy.

Looking at your small party, you would be better off going with a single class druid.

Alternately, if you fit in a level of the beastmaster PrC into your build, that will add another 3 levels of animal companion advancement.

This will boost your pet up a bit more.
Nithendil
03-10-06, 01:14 AM Human w/ Able Learner feat
What book is this found in?
PhoenixInferno
03-10-06, 01:43 AM What book is this found in?
Races of Destiny

If you want Bard-ishness but with more "oomph" you could try Sublime Chord (Complete Arcane). If you want to focus on advancing your Animal Companion, you'll want to look at Arcane Hierophant (Races of the Wild).
DavidWL
03-10-06, 02:44 AM I agree with the others:

1) The animal companion isn't worth the trouble - it's just not that good.
2) The druid casting is the most important, take more druid.
3) Look at the Fochlucan Lyrist link in my signature. Good stuff.

Best,
David
Iswald
03-10-06, 12:19 PM Well, you have to take druid levels, so you end up with an animal companion. FL is best as an RP PrC and even a comparatively weak companion may still help with RP and tasks outside of combat.

What would happen if you combined the feat Obtain Familiar (bard) with FL and a level of Arcane Hierophant? It seems like your companion familiar would have lowish HD, but most of the familiar abilities.

Post/Author/DateTime	Post
Nithendil 03-09-06, 05:55 PM	I have a couple options for my Fochlucan Lyrist. Our party is small (a monk/rogue and ranger/fighter) and the Fochlucan will be built pretty standard for a sensible DM (so no 3 prestige class combos, evasion cheats, etc). We're starting off at level 6. Race will either be human of half-elf, so no multiclass worries (you essentially have to break the multiclass rules to get into this class as it is presented in the complete adventurer, and my DM has approved the class). I'm not trying to powergame the class, just make sure it is viable. 1) The first option is to start off as rogue1/druid3/bard2 (going towards r2/d4/b4/FL10) with the nature's bond feat (complete adventurer), which should give me a 6 HD animal companion, an additional figher partner for a small party. I understand this feat would essentially turn worthless in later levels, but I'm wondering if it will help us out during the beginning ones. This option also gives me trackless step, which could be useful. How viable would this animal companion be during the next 3 levels (7,8,9)? Would a 6HD animal companion still be viable at level 8 or 9? 2) The second option is to start off as rogue1/druid1/bard4 (going towards r2/d1/b7), making the animal companion completly useless, I assume. Option 1 gives me 2nd level druid spells, option 2 gives me 2nd level bard spells.
Raum_ul_Amon 03-09-06, 06:11 PM	I think you would be best served to go with Human w/ Able Learner feat if you want to stray too much from a Bard 7 build as the perform 13 requirement is gonna suck up alot of Skill Points from your other classes if you don't. Not to mention the Diplomay/Sense Motive requirements. I would recommend the Arcane Heirophant from the Races of the Wild class if you are looking for a druid/arcane caster with a companion. It has a great spell progression chart AND it's level stack with your druid levels for the power of your Animal Companion, not to mention the fact that you can 'meld' your Animal Companion and Familiar into one creature ... very cool IMO. My FL is going mostly Bard because we have a very well balanced party and I am doing mostly backup on all roles. We have a single-class Cleric who is going for the Radiant Servant of Pelor PrC so healing isn't a huge issue so early levels I am adding some fighter going to go Ftr2/Rg2/Drd1/Brd5/FL10. It seems that your group doesn't have a primary healer so I would suggest going more Druid if you are gonna go FL. Furthermore I think that your Animal Companion could act as an adequate 'delay' at levels 7-8, more like a speedbump at 9 tho :(
Namarus 03-09-06, 06:29 PM	Quite honestly your companion is going to last one maybe two hits at higher levels. At level 6 I would suggest a riding dog, at low levels, since this has the best ac and hit points. Slap some armour on it, and talk to your GM about getting it war trained. It will make a good flanking buddy. Looking at your small party, you would be better off going with a single class druid. Alternately, if you fit in a level of the beastmaster PrC into your build, that will add another 3 levels of animal companion advancement. This will boost your pet up a bit more.
Nithendil 03-10-06, 01:14 AM	Human w/ Able Learner feat What book is this found in?
PhoenixInferno 03-10-06, 01:43 AM	What book is this found in? Races of Destiny If you want Bard-ishness but with more "oomph" you could try Sublime Chord (Complete Arcane). If you want to focus on advancing your Animal Companion, you'll want to look at Arcane Hierophant (Races of the Wild).
DavidWL 03-10-06, 02:44 AM	I agree with the others: 1) The animal companion isn't worth the trouble - it's just not that good. 2) The druid casting is the most important, take more druid. 3) Look at the Fochlucan Lyrist link in my signature. Good stuff. Best, David
Iswald 03-10-06, 12:19 PM	Well, you have to take druid levels, so you end up with an animal companion. FL is best as an RP PrC and even a comparatively weak companion may still help with RP and tasks outside of combat. What would happen if you combined the feat Obtain Familiar (bard) with FL and a level of Arcane Hierophant? It seems like your companion familiar would have lowish HD, but most of the familiar abilities.