Post/Author/DateTime	Post
findingfreedom 02-10-05, 11:42 PM	I want to play a druid, but I've run into something interesting. While searching about my animal companion's advancement, I noticed that a few people say that when an animal reaches its level for size increase, this does not apply to the creature. Is this true? From what I've read, you advance an animal companion the same way you'd advance a regular wolf. At 4hd, it becomes a large creature. Any help?
Greyman 02-11-05, 12:04 AM	You don't advance an animal companion using monster advancement rules. An animal companion gains bonus HD, and everything associated with them, as specified in the animal companion rules, and only those features so specified. This does not include size increases so your companion does not gain them. It is more akin to advancing by a virtual class than by monster hit die.
findingfreedom 02-11-05, 01:44 AM	I just read that in the FAQ "When you add Hit Dice to a druid’s (or ranger’s) animal companion as the master’s level goes up, does the animal get any bigger? For instance, when a druid has a wolf companion, the wolf starts out with the standard 2 Hit Dice and is size Medium. By the time the druid is 3rd level, the wolf has 2 bonus Hit Dice. According to the wolf entry in the Monster Manual, an “advanced” wolf with 4 Hit Dice would be Large. Is the example companion wolf also Large? An animal companion doesn’t get bigger when it adds extra Hit Dice for the master’s levels. The advancement entries for creatures, and the rules for advancing monsters, refer to unusually powerful specimens that are simply tougher (and perhaps bigger) than normal for their kinds." Now take a look at this: Druid at level 7: A wolf advanced WITH SIZE INCREASE hd= 6d8 + 18 = avg 45 BAB +4 str 23 dex 15 con 19 int 2 wis 12 cha 6 AC 19 ( +2 dex +8 natural -1 size) Full Attack: Bite +10 (1d8 +9) 4 feats *********************** DIRE WOLF hd= 6d8 + 18 = avg 45 BAB +4 str 25 dex 15 con 17 int 2 wis 12 cha 10 AC 14 (-1 size +2 dex +3 natural) Full Attack: Bite +11 melee (1d8 +10) 4 feats *************************** differences: Dire Wolf +4 Cha +2 Str +1 Bite +1 damage Large Wolf +2 Con (hp increase already considered in build) +5 ac Doesnt this seem mostly equal? without the size increase, a 6hd wolf would stand no chance against a 6hd dire wolf. Even with the druidic bonuses, It makes little difference. Are druids supposed to detach from their animal companions and seek out more combat worthy animals? Is there a different reason for not allowing size increases? Thanks for any advice!
Greyman 02-11-05, 05:03 AM	You should be comparing the dire wolf with a normal-sized wolf with all animal companion bonuses applied to both at the appropriate druid level. Now with a higher attack bonus, and damage roll, the dire wolf can do more damage (even after granting the wolf Improved Natural Attack), but has a lower armor class and so will take more damage. Remember though, that at druid level 9, the wolf will gain a second bite attack (albeit at -5 to attack). The fortitude and reflex saves are about the same, though the wolf has the benefit of Evasion on "Reflex halves" saves, while the dire wolf has a better Will save. It's greater size means that the dire wolf threatens more squares, and grapples like crazy, but it also means that it can be attacked by more opponents, is easier to flank, and is harder to hide and fit through small spaces. All in all, they seem pretty balanced to me. ---- Wolf Animal Companion (Medium Animal) Druid Level 6-8th Hit Dice: 2d8+4 wolf + 4d8+8 bonus (39 hp) Initiative: +3 Speed: 50 ft. (10 squares) Armor Class: 19 (+3 Dex, +6 natural), touch 13, flat-footed 16 Base Attack/Grapple: +4/+7 Attack: Bite +8 melee (1d8+4) Full Attack: Bite +8 melee (1d8+4) Space/Reach: 5 ft./5 ft. Special Attacks: Trip Special Qualities: Low-light vision, scent, Link, Share Spells, Evasion, Devotion, Bonus Tricks +3 Saves: Fort +8, Ref +9, Will +3 Abilities: Str 16, Dex 17, Con 15, Int 2, Wis 12, Cha 6 Skills: Hide +5, Listen +5, Move Silently +6, Spot +5, Survival +5* Tricks: (9) Attack, Defend, Guard, Down, Stay, Seek, Heel, Come, Track Feats: Track(B), Weapon Focus (bite), Improved Natural Attack, Run Environment: Temperate forests ---versus--- Dire Wolf Animal Companion (Large Animal) Druid Level: 7 to 8 (animal companion as druid level -6) Hit Dice: 6d8+18 (45 hp) Initiative: +2 Speed: 50 ft. (10 squares) Armor Class: 14 (–1 size, +2 Dex, +3 natural), touch 11, flat-footed 12 Base Attack/Grapple: +4/+15 Attack: Bite +11 melee (1d8+10) Full Attack: Bite +11 melee (1d8+10) Space/Reach: 10 ft./5 ft. Special Attacks: Trip Special Qualities: Low-light vision, scent, Link, Share Spells Saves: Fort +8, Ref +7, Will +6 Abilities: Str 25, Dex 15, Con 17, Int 2, Wis 12, Cha 10 Tricks: (6) Attack, Defend, Guard, Down, Track, Heel Skills: Hide +0, Listen +7, Move Silently +4, Spot +7, Survival +2* Feats: Alertness, Run, Track(B), Weapon Focus (bite) Environment: Temperate forests