Post/Author/DateTime	Post
RedKnightofKet 02-12-07, 03:45 PM	I have a specific question about a (possible) rebuild for my druid. The concept is basically a halfling riding a nasty beasty that does all the damage: Halfling, Str 6, Dex 16, Con 14, Int 16, Wis 14, Cha 8 Druid 1 - SF - Handle Animal Druid 2 Wizard 1 - Mounted Combat, Scribe Scroll (B) Wizard 2 - WIS +1 Wizard 3 Druid 3 - Practised Spellcaster (Druid) Beastmaster 1 Arcane Heirophant 1 - WIS +1 Arcane Heirophant 2 - Natural Bond Am I correct that I would only have (as far as wizard stuff): the PHB Cantrips, 8 1st level spells, 2 second level spells. Am I right with this? Or do I get 2 additional 2 level spells and 2 third level spells, because my of the +1 to my arcane spellcasting class from AH?
sibyl 02-12-07, 04:43 PM	Well, if AH actually gives you +1 level as a spell caster, then you probably do get the extra spells. Is going AH really better for beastie badness than going beastmaster/halfling outrider?
RedKnightofKet 02-12-07, 04:50 PM	Well, that's why I haven't finalized my rebuild choice - I was already a druid 6/BM 1/Outrider 2. I'm working out the numbers, but there are some very nice options out of arcane magic - fly being a great one...
Jay_Ibero_911 02-12-07, 05:02 PM	First of all, Natural Bond is NONC, and second, it won't benefit you anyway, because with teh beastmaster level you already have full druid level for animal companion anyway, and natural bond can't increase your effective druid level beyond your HD. So that is out entirely. On the upside, you do have all the spells a 5th level druid would have as well as all the spells of a 5th level wizard, and you cast your druid spells as an 9th level caster. Also note that because of the share spells ability, you can cast Enlarge Person on your companion familiar even though it is not a humanoid. As far as a replacement feat for Natural Bond, Craft Wondrous Item will save you tons on getting your stat boost items, as well as making some for your companion familiar. Or you could take practiced spellcaster (Wizard) to make your wiz spells more potent.
RedKnightofKet 02-12-07, 05:12 PM	I have access to Natural Bond, so that's not an issue. As for its interpretation, I believe that you apply your feats and abilities in an order that is most beneficial to you, which would mean that NB brings you to your Character Level, and then you add BM's +3. And I have access to CWI twice a year when in region, so I won't be taking the feat anytime soon. The other option I would likely do is another Practised Spellcaster, to bring the Wizard casting up.
clannagh 02-12-07, 05:56 PM	I have access to Natural Bond, so that's not an issue. As for its interpretation, I believe that you apply your feats and abilities in an order that is most beneficial to you, which would mean that NB brings you to your Character Level, and then you add BM's +3. And I have access to CWI twice a year when in region, so I won't be taking the feat anytime soon. The other option I would likely do is another Practised Spellcaster, to bring the Wizard casting up. I am pretty sure someone (Britt?) clarified that when someone proposed the idea that taking high level animals effectively reduced your level and natural bond then just topped it up again. The statement was something like natural bond can never allow you to go above what you otherwise could get at your character level. However your argument sounds good (and beastmaster lets you be above the curve normally) and I actually do not know the correct answer ... i will say that it would be a VERY good idea to get how it works confirmed officially before basing a rebuild around it.
RedKnightofKet 02-12-07, 06:03 PM	I'll start a new thread in the Rules section, see if anything legit can come of it.... I may not do this idea anyway, it's just an option I'm considering....
Mithreinmaethor 02-12-07, 07:18 PM	Since Beastmaster and Halfling Outrider levels all stack with Druid for determining the animal companions bumps the Natural Bond feat is useless to you. You would need 3 levels in a class that doesnt stack for determining the animal companion stats. As it is with 15 levels split between those 3 classes your effective Druid level is 18 for an animal companion. 4th Level or Higher (Level –3) (For you Effective level for its bumps 15th) Ape (animal) Dire weasel, Bear, black (animal) Leopard (animal), Bison (animal) Lizard, monitor (animal), Boar (animal) Shark, Large1 (animal) Cheetah (animal) Snake, constrictor (animal), Crocodile (animal)1 Snake, Large viper (animal), Dire badger Wolverine (animal), Dire bat 7th Level or Higher (Level –6) (For you Effective level for its bumps 12th) Bear, brown (animal) Dire wolf, Dire wolverine Elasmosaurus1 (dinosaur) Crocodile, giant (animal) Lion (animal), Deinonychus (dinosaur) Rhinoceros (animal), Dire ape Snake, Huge viper (animal), Dire boar Tiger (animal) 10th Level or Higher (Level –9) (For you Effective level for its bumps9th) Bear, polar (animal) Shark, Huge1 (animal), Dire lion Snake, giant constrictor (animal), Megaraptor (dinosaur) Whale, orca1 (animal) 13th Level or Higher (Level –12) (For you Effective level for its bumps 6th) Dire bear Octopus, giant1 (animal), Elephant (animal)