Animal Companion Feats... [Archive] - Wizards Community

Animal Companion Feats... [Archive] - Wizards Community

Post/Author/DateTime Post
Arem_K
05-19-06, 10:11 AM I have been playing a ranger for some time who is based upon fighting via his animal companion, wild cohort, and self trained animals. Basically, he sits there and shouts orders while his small army of fearsome beasts rips the enemy apart. I was thinking about some feat builds because it was time to upgrade again and I began wondering if what I was doing was legal within the rules.

Are animals allowed to have different feat setups? I seem to remember reading that everything that was not a bonus feat could be changed, but I do not remember where I got that and I cannot seem to find it again. It would not be so much of an issue, except for the fact that animal feats are almost universally bad. I would hate to think my minions have to be saddled with something like endurance.

Thank you for your time.
Arem_K
05-21-06, 01:20 AM No one knows about this? I am just looking for a yes or no as to the question of whether or not the player can choose their animal companion's feats or whether the feats listed in the monster manual are set in stone.
Ovistavin
05-21-06, 02:40 PM It's really up to your DM. The non-bonus feats are not set in stone (be sure to check the MM 3.5 errata because a lot of the animals had bonus feats added), but animals qualify for very few feats.
Talisman
05-22-06, 04:23 PM Basically, he sits there and shouts orders while his small army of fearsome beasts rips the enemy apart.

I love this. :P

I'd say it depends whether your ranger raised these critters from pups or acquired them as adults.

If he raised 'em, they can learn whatever you teach (within reason). As a GM, I'd allow you to pick their feats (again, within reason).

If he befriended them as adults, well...they know what they know. Future feats (for increased HD as animal companions) could be picked by you.
Arem_K
05-22-06, 07:58 PM Basically, he sits there and shouts orders while his small army of fearsome beasts rips the enemy apart.

I love this. :P

I'd say it depends whether your ranger raised these critters from pups or acquired them as adults.

If he raised 'em, they can learn whatever you teach (within reason). As a GM, I'd allow you to pick their feats (again, within reason).

If he befriended them as adults, well...they know what they know. Future feats (for increased HD as animal companions) could be picked by you.

That is basically what we have been doing. I was wondering about the animal companion class feature, in which an animal just sorta appears after 24 hours of prayer. It seems wrong that they should not be able to give some flavor to their companion, like a bear specializing in grappling.

It is a really fun character to play. A good DM will really challenge you with the limits of animal intelligence however. One of my dinosaurs managed to get his head stuck in a bear trap the other day.
El_Machinae
05-22-06, 11:41 PM It really is a matter of raising your animal. I mean, if you trained a horse to take it easy and relax, maybe you could teach it to hit with Improved Natural Attack instead of a having endurance.

Basically the sumo wrestling version for horses.

(cept Endurance might be their bonus feat ....)

Post/Author/DateTime	Post
Arem_K 05-19-06, 10:11 AM	I have been playing a ranger for some time who is based upon fighting via his animal companion, wild cohort, and self trained animals. Basically, he sits there and shouts orders while his small army of fearsome beasts rips the enemy apart. I was thinking about some feat builds because it was time to upgrade again and I began wondering if what I was doing was legal within the rules. Are animals allowed to have different feat setups? I seem to remember reading that everything that was not a bonus feat could be changed, but I do not remember where I got that and I cannot seem to find it again. It would not be so much of an issue, except for the fact that animal feats are almost universally bad. I would hate to think my minions have to be saddled with something like endurance. Thank you for your time.
Arem_K 05-21-06, 01:20 AM	No one knows about this? I am just looking for a yes or no as to the question of whether or not the player can choose their animal companion's feats or whether the feats listed in the monster manual are set in stone.
Ovistavin 05-21-06, 02:40 PM	It's really up to your DM. The non-bonus feats are not set in stone (be sure to check the MM 3.5 errata because a lot of the animals had bonus feats added), but animals qualify for very few feats.
Talisman 05-22-06, 04:23 PM	Basically, he sits there and shouts orders while his small army of fearsome beasts rips the enemy apart. I love this. :P I'd say it depends whether your ranger raised these critters from pups or acquired them as adults. If he raised 'em, they can learn whatever you teach (within reason). As a GM, I'd allow you to pick their feats (again, within reason). If he befriended them as adults, well...they know what they know. Future feats (for increased HD as animal companions) could be picked by you.
Arem_K 05-22-06, 07:58 PM	Basically, he sits there and shouts orders while his small army of fearsome beasts rips the enemy apart. I love this. :P I'd say it depends whether your ranger raised these critters from pups or acquired them as adults. If he raised 'em, they can learn whatever you teach (within reason). As a GM, I'd allow you to pick their feats (again, within reason). If he befriended them as adults, well...they know what they know. Future feats (for increased HD as animal companions) could be picked by you. That is basically what we have been doing. I was wondering about the animal companion class feature, in which an animal just sorta appears after 24 hours of prayer. It seems wrong that they should not be able to give some flavor to their companion, like a bear specializing in grappling. It is a really fun character to play. A good DM will really challenge you with the limits of animal intelligence however. One of my dinosaurs managed to get his head stuck in a bear trap the other day.
El_Machinae 05-22-06, 11:41 PM	It really is a matter of raising your animal. I mean, if you trained a horse to take it easy and relax, maybe you could teach it to hit with Improved Natural Attack instead of a having endurance. Basically the sumo wrestling version for horses. (cept Endurance might be their bonus feat ....)