Post/Author/DateTime	Post
Grogmir 06-11-07, 10:04 AM	Hey guys – I’m playing a Elf druid at the moment – just level 2. But I want my War Dog Baskaville to be useful for a while – so I’m basically looking for Feats that bump up my AC. Planning on going 20 druid – no surprise 6th level is Nat Spell. Just wondering if other than Animal Spellbound (!? Share spells out to 30ft) if there were any other animal companion feats out there? I have PHB1&2 Complete War, Mage, Arcane, Divine + Ad. Plus access to Ebberron & Underdark. Also is there a good guide anywhere on increasing/stating up animals. I must admit in confuses me somewhat. Regards Grogmir
Kouk 06-11-07, 12:15 PM	You can also put magic items on most animals. Sometimes rings or belts, but usually at least amulets.
danzibr 06-11-07, 12:30 PM	Well, I'd link you to a good site for what animal companions can wear, but it's down atm. Basically, they can equip a bunch of stuff. Well, I can't remember the name or where it's from (how helpful I am), but there's a feat that you can take that lets your animal companion be treated as if your druid were 3 levels higher. Basically, if you choose an alternate, higher level companion, you have less of a penalty. Also, remember that as your animal companion gains HD it gains feats (and skills, and maybe stats, but feats for sure). And it has the same BAB bonus as your druid and uses whoever's saves are better. But... as for feats that the druid takes that makes your animal companion better, only the one I mentioned comes to mind. Beyond that there are many ways to improve your animal buddy, though. Hope I helped a bit. If you have any more questions, feel free to ask. Dan
Kouk 06-11-07, 12:42 PM	Natural Bond increases your effective druid level by 3 for purposes of your companion's abilities, but that number can't exceed your character level. It is used for multiclass druid/other or for rangers that want a bit of a boost.
danzibr 06-11-07, 12:45 PM	Natural Bond increases your effective druid level by 3 for purposes of your companion's abilities, but that number can't exceed your character level. It is used for multiclass druid/other or for rangers that want a bit of a boost. Yeah, that's the one. I'd probably use it for selecting a different animal, assuming it can be used in such a manner. And which book is it from? Dan
Apupunchau 06-11-07, 12:47 PM	Well, I can't remember the name or where it's from (how helpful I am), but there's a feat that you can take that lets your animal companion be treated as if your druid were 3 levels higher. Basically, if you choose an alternate, higher level companion, you have less of a penalty. You can't take this feat as a druid because it will only advance your effective druid level up to your character level. So as a level 6 druid your effective druid level is already 6 and Natural Bond from Complete Adventure will be of no use to you. Also, remember that as your animal companion gains HD it gains feats (and skills, and maybe stats, but feats for sure). And it has the same BAB bonus as your druid and uses whoever's saves are better. Feats and skills. I thought it got stats too but it doesn't there's another thread somewhere about that and it should be in a FAQ somewhere. There is a fun feat which gives you a bonus to attack if your Animal Companion makes a successful attack. And the biggest joy of animal companions even if they aren't the best combatants, your own personal flank machine.
Kouk 06-11-07, 12:47 PM	Complete Adventurer, but I don't think it can be used in that way.
Elrond Hubbard 06-11-07, 01:43 PM	And it has the same BAB bonus as your druid and uses whoever's saves are better. Dan RE: saves, is that save by save? Or the whole set of saves? For example, can you give the animal its own reflex save, but your druid's will save?
Kouk 06-11-07, 01:52 PM	RE: saves, is that save by save? Or the whole set of saves? For example, can you give the animal its own reflex save, but your druid's will save? Actually, companions don't take your saves. Familiars take their masters' saves but companions just have good Fort and Ref, and they get a bonus to Will saves against certain effects. Bonus HD Extra eight-sided (d8) Hit Dice, each of which gains a Constitution modifier, as normal. Remember that extra Hit Dice improve the animal companion’s base attack and base save bonuses. An animal companion’s base attack bonus is the same as that of a druid of a level equal to the animal’s HD. An animal companion has good Fortitude and Reflex saves (treat it as a character whose level equals the animal’s HD). An animal companion gains additional skill points and feats for bonus HD as normal for advancing a monster’s Hit Dice. The extra HD only affect the creature's BAB, HP, skill points, and feats, but that's all. No stat or size increases just for having higher HD. Companion stat increases come only from his relationship to the druid's level as shown on the Animal Companion chart.
Keaerin 06-11-07, 02:33 PM	Can take 1 lvl in beastmaster class from Complete adventurer its one of the few buffs to your animal companion that can break character lvl cap. Share spells with long durations too or take extend spell when you get access to like 3rd and 4th lvl spells for purposes of sharing.
Ovistavin 06-11-07, 03:01 PM	Check July's Dragon. There is an article about dogs and falcons, but there are feats in it that can be use with any animal. I don't remember how useful they are. I will have to check after work.
Elrond Hubbard 06-11-07, 04:33 PM	Actually, companions don't take your saves. Familiars take their masters' saves but companions just have good Fort and Ref, and they get a bonus to Will saves against certain effects. nice, thanks.
BW0222 06-11-07, 08:40 PM	Grogmir, I’m playing a Elf druid at the moment – just level 2. But I want my War Dog Baskaville to be useful for a while – so I’m basically looking for Feats that bump up my AC. First, buy him some barding. A suit of leather barding is 20gp(?) so you shouldn't have any issues. Get chainshirt or magical armors later. Second, don't forget magical items. Magical armor, colars of protection, etc. Look at cloaks and other items items he might be able to wear. Third, potions are your friend. Give him a potion of bluff, cat's grace, barkskin, displacement, haste, etc. Forth, when you reach 3rd-level, he advances to 4hd and gains a bonus feat. He gains another, at 6hd, when you reach 6th. Consider dodge, then mobility, and finally spring attack. With a good movement rate he can often survive by continuing to pull back behind a fighter type between attacks. Fifth, remember that you can buff him. Barkskin and cat's grace are obvious AC tools, but higher level spells like stone skin can be equally effective. Get a wand of barkskin if you need to. Also look at ususual protections which make him extra dangerous. For example, air walk and sending at folks in the back, or protection from fire up and then cast wall of fire, etc. Sixth, other folks can buff him. Your wizard or cleric can put a number of spells on him which are useful. For example, put deeper darkness or on the dog. He has scent so he can find folks given time and don't have to guess at squares when within 5'. Silence is also an option against spell casters. Seven, you can summon folks to help him. One reason I might suggest a wolf (even if it is weaker) is that you can summon groups of wolves to fight alongside him. This makes it extremely hard for enemies to know which wolf to go after. Eight, you can share spell a number of spells. Consider staying close by and using lots of share spell type buffs and heals. As for your feats... try brew potion so you have lots of buffing available.
danzibr 06-11-07, 11:25 PM	Well, BW0222 said it much better than I ever could, but here's (http://www.wizards.com/default.asp?x=dnd/re/20031125a) the link I promised. Dan
Kouk 06-12-07, 01:27 AM	Oh, and, any particular reason for using a war dog? I don't think they are considered to have the most staying-power of animal companions available.
Grogmir 06-12-07, 04:12 AM	Cheers for all the advice guys - any particular reason for using a war dog? I'm being cheesy - its a riding dog trained for war. The suggested AC in the Druid handbook. First, buy him some barding I got him Hide barding, I thought the idea of a dog in Full Plate was funny but I'm a druid after all some thought I would stick to non-metal barding. Thanks for the advice on AnimalC tactics and stating up. "Can take 1 lvl in beastmaster class from Complete adventurer its one of the few buffs to your animal companion" I'll check that out - though I wanted to stick with Druid20 as our Dm allows any PrC but you have to stick with it - can't chop and change to much. Bask is alright though - last week we were in a big battle verus an evil Cleric. The cleric death touched (a in module ability) and killed our cleric. Fearing this I order Baskaville to trip. He rolled a 5 but the DM came back with a 2! Next round he easily hit after going first on the inititive - dead! He got an extra bone that night! Cheers Grogmir
Kouk 06-12-07, 04:22 AM	Technically, an elf can't ride a war dog. A mount would have to be bigger than you.
Grogmir 06-12-07, 06:31 AM	I don't ride him - just the stats I used. Got a horse for that! Can someone confirm regarding sharing spells. If I cast healing spell on myself does that also heal my Animal Comp? Via share spelling For spells like Stoneskin - is the combined total over both of us taken (I.e One stoneskin covers both) or is it two different spells on each of us? Cheers Grogmir
Skara 06-12-07, 12:11 PM	If you're near enough, yes. 5 foot range I think? Anyway, for buffing your animal companion, Magic Fang and Greater Magic Fang can be made permanent. If no wizards around are going to spend that XP (or know it) just prepare it a few times each day. Once you get to level 17, you'll get the most awesome spell, Nature's Avatar. Your animal companion get something like +10 HD and a big attack bonus, plus a few other things I think?
BW0222 06-12-07, 05:14 PM	Grogmir, If I cast healing spell on myself does that also heal my Animal Comp? Via share spelling Provided that she is within 5' of you when you cast the spell on yourself. For spells like Stoneskin - is the combined total over both of us taken (I.e One stoneskin covers both) or is it two different spells on each of us? The spell affects the dog as if you also cast the spell on the dog. Both spells work independantly of each other. There is no dividing or sharing of the effect. If someone casts a targetted dispell on you, his spell won't be affected (and vice versa). In addition, the spell doesn't have to normally accept animal as a target - so you could (if you were a druid/wizard) cast say enlarge person on yourself and it would also affect your dog (and possibly your familiar also). Personal spells are also permitted. For example, longstrider. The animal must remain within 5' of you or the spell affect ends. Unless your companion is a mount, this may create issues in combat. Typically, you and she move on different initiatives, but most DMs allow the dog to move alongside of you on the same intiative. Otherwise, it is almost impossible to stay within 5' if either of you moves more than 5 or 10' per round.
Grogmir 06-13-07, 04:27 AM	Cheers for the confirmation and advice BW0222 The animal must remain within 5' of you or the spell affect ends. Unless your companion is a mount, this may create issues in combat. Not a problem as I took the Companion Spellbound feat which allows me to share spells out to 30ft. Grogmir
Salick 06-13-07, 11:31 AM	a good low lvl buff spell that works great with animal companions is bite of the wererat from the spell compendium.