Easy questions about animals [Archive] - Wizards Community

Easy questions about animals [Archive] - Wizards Community

Post/Author/DateTime Post
Fakegoatee
03-12-07, 10:44 AM I'm new, and I just got my first AR. Now I have some questions.

1. My wizard really wants a familiar. How does he get one? Do I put it on an MIC log (along with the scrolls I'm scribing)?

2. Suppose I buy a riding dog. Does it come with 2 tricks (because its INT is 2), or does it come trained for the general purpose of riding (come, heel, stay, PH 75)? And if I buy a guard dog, does it come with 2 tricks or the 4 tricks that compose the "guarding" general purpose (attack, defend, down, guard)?
Howie23
03-12-07, 11:47 AM I'm new, and I just got my first AR. Now I have some questions.

Easy questions... oh, you wish... :)

1. My wizard really wants a familiar. How does he get one? Do I put it on an MIC log (along with the scrolls I'm scribing)?

You don't have to put the familiar on the MIC, but you can. You need to record the 100gp cost on AR you acquire the little beast, and then are good to go. Make a character sheet for him.

2. Suppose I buy a riding dog. Does it come with 2 tricks (because its INT is 2), or does it come trained for the general purpose of riding (come, heel, stay, PH 75)? And if I buy a guard dog, does it come with 2 tricks or the 4 tricks that compose the "guarding" general purpose (attack, defend, down, guard)?

The LGCS says nothing about creatures coming trained for a purpose. It says they come trained with 1 trick per point of Int. It provides no distinction between the tricks for a chicken, guard dog, or warhorse. If you think that is silly, you are not alone. Many judges then put on their DM hat and make a ruling about how the animal is treated. Ask.

David
Fakegoatee
03-12-07, 01:12 PM Thanks. I thought the familiar might go on an MIC because I suspected it might require spending a TU.

The clarification on tricks is helpful, too. If I buy a dog, I know not to expect too much of it.
solbergb
03-12-07, 01:12 PM So far, I've had success having the animal trained for a purpose and nothing else. (or in the case of druids, trained for a purpose plus getting bonus feats).

Trained for combat riding is the most reliable way for a warhorse or riding dog or warpony to get "Trained for War" rating.

There will be table variation though, because yet again the LGCS left us in the lurch on this one, although there are hints of some rules suppliment later in the year that will at least clarify Trained for War. The surest way to get an animal trained for purpose on current rules is to spend the TU and make the handle animal check to train it yourself.
Howie23
03-12-07, 01:25 PM The surest way to get an animal trained for purpose on current rules is to spend the TU and make the handle animal check to train it yourself.

There is no option in LG, absent campaign documentation, to train an animal for a purpose. There is an option to train for individual tricks (1 per AR). The set of tricks included in a purpose will generally get you the purpose.

David
solbergb
03-12-07, 01:39 PM Huh..I could have sworn you could, but I didn't read that section very carefully (my character who would do it is still on the drawing boards).

Guess it's one trick at a time then, unless the Judge says otherwise for purchased animals. (Seems to me that most things like mules should be purchased trained for "Work", riding animals for "ride" and the "war" animals (warhorse, warpony, riding dog) for "combat riding" as part of the purchase price, and the 2 trick thing is if you want something else. But be prepared with your favorite two tricks if the Judge rules otherwise)
LGMoses
03-15-07, 01:09 AM plz don't forget to stat him out somewhere and make sure u have it rite. Theres nothing worse than not having stuff like that at the table. and if u are ever going to summon animals make sure u have statted versions there.

just lettin' u know
Fakegoatee
03-15-07, 08:30 AM plz don't forget to stat him out somewhere and make sure u have it rite. Theres nothing worse than not having stuff like that at the table. and if u are ever going to summon animals make sure u have statted versions there.

That makes good sense. I think I've got the familiar squared away, but I'm going to wait on getting a dog.

Post/Author/DateTime	Post
Fakegoatee 03-12-07, 10:44 AM	I'm new, and I just got my first AR. Now I have some questions. 1. My wizard really wants a familiar. How does he get one? Do I put it on an MIC log (along with the scrolls I'm scribing)? 2. Suppose I buy a riding dog. Does it come with 2 tricks (because its INT is 2), or does it come trained for the general purpose of riding (come, heel, stay, PH 75)? And if I buy a guard dog, does it come with 2 tricks or the 4 tricks that compose the "guarding" general purpose (attack, defend, down, guard)?
Howie23 03-12-07, 11:47 AM	I'm new, and I just got my first AR. Now I have some questions. Easy questions... oh, you wish... :) 1. My wizard really wants a familiar. How does he get one? Do I put it on an MIC log (along with the scrolls I'm scribing)? You don't have to put the familiar on the MIC, but you can. You need to record the 100gp cost on AR you acquire the little beast, and then are good to go. Make a character sheet for him. 2. Suppose I buy a riding dog. Does it come with 2 tricks (because its INT is 2), or does it come trained for the general purpose of riding (come, heel, stay, PH 75)? And if I buy a guard dog, does it come with 2 tricks or the 4 tricks that compose the "guarding" general purpose (attack, defend, down, guard)? The LGCS says nothing about creatures coming trained for a purpose. It says they come trained with 1 trick per point of Int. It provides no distinction between the tricks for a chicken, guard dog, or warhorse. If you think that is silly, you are not alone. Many judges then put on their DM hat and make a ruling about how the animal is treated. Ask. David
Fakegoatee 03-12-07, 01:12 PM	Thanks. I thought the familiar might go on an MIC because I suspected it might require spending a TU. The clarification on tricks is helpful, too. If I buy a dog, I know not to expect too much of it.
solbergb 03-12-07, 01:12 PM	So far, I've had success having the animal trained for a purpose and nothing else. (or in the case of druids, trained for a purpose plus getting bonus feats). Trained for combat riding is the most reliable way for a warhorse or riding dog or warpony to get "Trained for War" rating. There will be table variation though, because yet again the LGCS left us in the lurch on this one, although there are hints of some rules suppliment later in the year that will at least clarify Trained for War. The surest way to get an animal trained for purpose on current rules is to spend the TU and make the handle animal check to train it yourself.
Howie23 03-12-07, 01:25 PM	The surest way to get an animal trained for purpose on current rules is to spend the TU and make the handle animal check to train it yourself. There is no option in LG, absent campaign documentation, to train an animal for a purpose. There is an option to train for individual tricks (1 per AR). The set of tricks included in a purpose will generally get you the purpose. David
solbergb 03-12-07, 01:39 PM	Huh..I could have sworn you could, but I didn't read that section very carefully (my character who would do it is still on the drawing boards). Guess it's one trick at a time then, unless the Judge says otherwise for purchased animals. (Seems to me that most things like mules should be purchased trained for "Work", riding animals for "ride" and the "war" animals (warhorse, warpony, riding dog) for "combat riding" as part of the purchase price, and the 2 trick thing is if you want something else. But be prepared with your favorite two tricks if the Judge rules otherwise)
LGMoses 03-15-07, 01:09 AM	plz don't forget to stat him out somewhere and make sure u have it rite. Theres nothing worse than not having stuff like that at the table. and if u are ever going to summon animals make sure u have statted versions there. just lettin' u know
Fakegoatee 03-15-07, 08:30 AM	plz don't forget to stat him out somewhere and make sure u have it rite. Theres nothing worse than not having stuff like that at the table. and if u are ever going to summon animals make sure u have statted versions there. That makes good sense. I think I've got the familiar squared away, but I'm going to wait on getting a dog.