Best Animal Companion Related Feats??? [Archive] - Wizards Community

Best Animal Companion Related Feats??? [Archive] - Wizards Community

Post/Author/DateTime Post
mightyix
11-30-06, 06:48 PM Due to a very messy low level character death (lv 6) in Eberron, I've been forced to make a new character at lv 6.

Currently that is a Druid 1/Fighter 4/Vadalis Beastkeeper 1 (from Dragonmarked)

At level 7 I'm taking a level of Beastmaster (Comp. Adv.)

At level 7 I will have an animal companion one lv below a Druid, a BAB one below a Fighter, decent saves, and enough combat feats and HP to be effective in melee. By finishing out Vadalis Beastkeeper I keep that progression all the way to level 16.

I'm looking for some feats that will boost my Animal Companion - My intention is to have an effective combat mount as my companion and have some sort of wierd NG Paladin-like action going on.

The only restrictions on books are: No Forgotten Realms, Unearthed Arcana probably won't be allowed, truly obscene combos (like celerity/dragonmark that prevents dazed) will NOT be allowed.

So... my questions are as follows:

1) What are some good feats for improving my animal companion?
2) What are some good non-feat ways for improving my animal companion?
3) Do you have any suggestions for post lv. 16 advancement?

Thanks in advance
OologahQ
11-30-06, 08:35 PM The one that springs to mind is Natural Bond from complete adventurer. That adds 3 to your effective druid level for your animal companion as long as your edl does not go above your character level (which I believe gets applied before Beastmaster).

A second level of Beastmaster is not bad as it nets you Alertness, keeps up your mount and gets you a BAB. You could also take 3 more levels of druid. Up to level 4 you would gain BAB, keep up your mount and gain some neat abilities and minor casting.

Probably can't rebuild at this point but Half-Orc 1st level druid substitution gives your animal companion toughness as a bonus feat.
ninjarabbit
11-30-06, 08:52 PM For you mounted combat is an obvious feat since it effectively gives your mount your ride check as its AC against one attack.

I'll agree with taking at least 3 more druid levels.

For your mount some good feats include endurance, improved toughness, iron will, power attack, light, medium, and heavy armor proficency, and multiattack.
mightyix
12-01-06, 01:10 AM I like natural bond. I'll have to look into it.

There's a conversation thread someplace about pets/animal companions that mentions the Warbeast template that can be applied to any animal at a DC 20+HD Handle Animal check and 2 months of time. My search-fu isn't finding it again and I won't have access to MM2 until the weekend.

Essentially, where I'm at I should be able to take 10 during our campaign's current lull between adventures and gain all the armor proficiencies and tricks related to combat.

Has anyone looked at Wild Outrider as a prestige class? I think I might finish off my companion progression with the 3 levels of that. I believe it stacks for animal companion purposes and specifically buffs fighting while mounted.

If I'm doing everything right in my progression, by level 18 or so I should be able to have a magebred, warbeast, animal companion tyranosaur that has a fly speed of 90 and a natural armor bonus of +9.

:) Dragonmarks rock.
nittanytbone
12-01-06, 10:21 AM -A two level fighter dip could get you the feats needed to be an effective mounted warrior. The Cavalry Charger feat from CW might be interesting. Just use natural bond to keep your companion up.

-I don't think you said what race you are, but I hope you're small -- then you can bring your riding dog with you anywhere.

-Wild Plains Outrider is great for a sneaky/stealthy/roguish type. Look at the abilities -- shared hide/MS ranks, Wild Plains Offensive (awesome for TWF types, NOT chargers), decent skill list, etc. Dipping a level or two of ranger for the track feat (and TWF) might be worthwhile, but probably not if you can't front-load it for the skills. If that's not your style, Cavalier might be better for a charger type.

-Be sure to wisely pick your companion's feats. If allowed by your DM, Run-->Fleet of Foot might make you an ubercharger that can change direction on the charge. Improved Toughness is always solid if you want it to take punishment. I like the Dodge-->Mobility-->Spring Attack chain, as it allows more flexible movement than Ride By Attack.

-Remember you can claim cover with no action with a DC15 ride check. With cover, you get +4 to your AC AND I believe you are immune to Attacks of Opportunity (from, say, riding by while your mount uses Spring Attack).

-The halfling druid Racial Sub. levels from Races of the Wild are awesome for a mounted type.
hogarth
12-01-06, 10:23 AM -I don't think you said what race you are, but I hope you're small -- then you can bring your riding dog with you anywhere.
Dragonmarked members of House Vadalis are humans.

Post/Author/DateTime	Post
mightyix 11-30-06, 06:48 PM	Due to a very messy low level character death (lv 6) in Eberron, I've been forced to make a new character at lv 6. Currently that is a Druid 1/Fighter 4/Vadalis Beastkeeper 1 (from Dragonmarked) At level 7 I'm taking a level of Beastmaster (Comp. Adv.) At level 7 I will have an animal companion one lv below a Druid, a BAB one below a Fighter, decent saves, and enough combat feats and HP to be effective in melee. By finishing out Vadalis Beastkeeper I keep that progression all the way to level 16. I'm looking for some feats that will boost my Animal Companion - My intention is to have an effective combat mount as my companion and have some sort of wierd NG Paladin-like action going on. The only restrictions on books are: No Forgotten Realms, Unearthed Arcana probably won't be allowed, truly obscene combos (like celerity/dragonmark that prevents dazed) will NOT be allowed. So... my questions are as follows: 1) What are some good feats for improving my animal companion? 2) What are some good non-feat ways for improving my animal companion? 3) Do you have any suggestions for post lv. 16 advancement? Thanks in advance
OologahQ 11-30-06, 08:35 PM	The one that springs to mind is Natural Bond from complete adventurer. That adds 3 to your effective druid level for your animal companion as long as your edl does not go above your character level (which I believe gets applied before Beastmaster). A second level of Beastmaster is not bad as it nets you Alertness, keeps up your mount and gets you a BAB. You could also take 3 more levels of druid. Up to level 4 you would gain BAB, keep up your mount and gain some neat abilities and minor casting. Probably can't rebuild at this point but Half-Orc 1st level druid substitution gives your animal companion toughness as a bonus feat.
ninjarabbit 11-30-06, 08:52 PM	For you mounted combat is an obvious feat since it effectively gives your mount your ride check as its AC against one attack. I'll agree with taking at least 3 more druid levels. For your mount some good feats include endurance, improved toughness, iron will, power attack, light, medium, and heavy armor proficency, and multiattack.
mightyix 12-01-06, 01:10 AM	I like natural bond. I'll have to look into it. There's a conversation thread someplace about pets/animal companions that mentions the Warbeast template that can be applied to any animal at a DC 20+HD Handle Animal check and 2 months of time. My search-fu isn't finding it again and I won't have access to MM2 until the weekend. Essentially, where I'm at I should be able to take 10 during our campaign's current lull between adventures and gain all the armor proficiencies and tricks related to combat. Has anyone looked at Wild Outrider as a prestige class? I think I might finish off my companion progression with the 3 levels of that. I believe it stacks for animal companion purposes and specifically buffs fighting while mounted. If I'm doing everything right in my progression, by level 18 or so I should be able to have a magebred, warbeast, animal companion tyranosaur that has a fly speed of 90 and a natural armor bonus of +9. :) Dragonmarks rock.
nittanytbone 12-01-06, 10:21 AM	-A two level fighter dip could get you the feats needed to be an effective mounted warrior. The Cavalry Charger feat from CW might be interesting. Just use natural bond to keep your companion up. -I don't think you said what race you are, but I hope you're small -- then you can bring your riding dog with you anywhere. -Wild Plains Outrider is great for a sneaky/stealthy/roguish type. Look at the abilities -- shared hide/MS ranks, Wild Plains Offensive (awesome for TWF types, NOT chargers), decent skill list, etc. Dipping a level or two of ranger for the track feat (and TWF) might be worthwhile, but probably not if you can't front-load it for the skills. If that's not your style, Cavalier might be better for a charger type. -Be sure to wisely pick your companion's feats. If allowed by your DM, Run-->Fleet of Foot might make you an ubercharger that can change direction on the charge. Improved Toughness is always solid if you want it to take punishment. I like the Dodge-->Mobility-->Spring Attack chain, as it allows more flexible movement than Ride By Attack. -Remember you can claim cover with no action with a DC15 ride check. With cover, you get +4 to your AC AND I believe you are immune to Attacks of Opportunity (from, say, riding by while your mount uses Spring Attack). -The halfling druid Racial Sub. levels from Races of the Wild are awesome for a mounted type.
hogarth 12-01-06, 10:23 AM	-I don't think you said what race you are, but I hope you're small -- then you can bring your riding dog with you anywhere. Dragonmarked members of House Vadalis are humans.