Animal companion base saves [Archive] - Wizards Community

Animal companion base saves [Archive] - Wizards Community

Post/Author/DateTime Post
Arvagor
09-11-07, 09:41 AM First off, I will preface by saying I already know about "Advanced animal companions gain only what is specifically mentioned in the PH." ;)

Under the Druid's Animal Companion sidebar, in the Bonus HD paragraph, it states, "An animal companion has good Fortitude and Reflex saves (treat it as a character whose level equals the animal's HD)."

What happens when the base animal has good saves for Fortitude, Reflex, and Will saves, such as any of the dire animals? Does a dire wolf (for example) suddenly get a worse Will save because it is now an animal companion?
Iswald
09-11-07, 11:02 AM FAQ, page 14. Dire animals gain good saves for all saves. The PHB only covers normal animal. From this, I'd assume that if you have some other type of creature (magical beasts, for example), you'd use it's typical saves and HD.
Timlagor
09-11-07, 02:47 PM FAQ, page 14. Dire animals gain good saves for all saves. The PHB only covers normal animal. From this, I'd assume that if you have some other type of creature (magical beasts, for example), you'd use it's typical saves and HD.

It's not getting "Dire X HD", it's getting "Animal Companion HD"
Animal companion HD don't give good will saves. I'd calculate it as if the HD were coming from difference classes -you certainly start with the bases stats before the AC bonus dice are applied so you'll never be lower than the base animal.
clannagh
09-11-07, 10:03 PM I think what happens is you get Dire animal saves for its base hit dice and any hit die advancements from sources not related to being an animal companian. It then gets animal companian saves for any additional hit dice resulting from being an animal companian.
Arvagor
09-11-07, 10:33 PM FAQ, page 14. Dire animals gain good saves for all saves. The PHB only covers normal animal. From this, I'd assume that if you have some other type of creature (magical beasts, for example), you'd use it's typical saves and HD.Thanks, Iswald... I broke the cardinal rule of not checking the FAQ first... ;)

Post/Author/DateTime	Post
Arvagor 09-11-07, 09:41 AM	First off, I will preface by saying I already know about "Advanced animal companions gain only what is specifically mentioned in the PH." ;) Under the Druid's Animal Companion sidebar, in the Bonus HD paragraph, it states, "An animal companion has good Fortitude and Reflex saves (treat it as a character whose level equals the animal's HD)." What happens when the base animal has good saves for Fortitude, Reflex, and Will saves, such as any of the dire animals? Does a dire wolf (for example) suddenly get a worse Will save because it is now an animal companion?
Iswald 09-11-07, 11:02 AM	FAQ, page 14. Dire animals gain good saves for all saves. The PHB only covers normal animal. From this, I'd assume that if you have some other type of creature (magical beasts, for example), you'd use it's typical saves and HD.
Timlagor 09-11-07, 02:47 PM	FAQ, page 14. Dire animals gain good saves for all saves. The PHB only covers normal animal. From this, I'd assume that if you have some other type of creature (magical beasts, for example), you'd use it's typical saves and HD. It's not getting "Dire X HD", it's getting "Animal Companion HD" Animal companion HD don't give good will saves. I'd calculate it as if the HD were coming from difference classes -you certainly start with the bases stats before the AC bonus dice are applied so you'll never be lower than the base animal.
clannagh 09-11-07, 10:03 PM	I think what happens is you get Dire animal saves for its base hit dice and any hit die advancements from sources not related to being an animal companian. It then gets animal companian saves for any additional hit dice resulting from being an animal companian.
Arvagor 09-11-07, 10:33 PM	FAQ, page 14. Dire animals gain good saves for all saves. The PHB only covers normal animal. From this, I'd assume that if you have some other type of creature (magical beasts, for example), you'd use it's typical saves and HD.Thanks, Iswald... I broke the cardinal rule of not checking the FAQ first... ;)