Animal Companion for 2nd level [Archive] - Wizards Community

Animal Companion for 2nd level [Archive] - Wizards Community

Post/Author/DateTime Post
MikeR7716
07-26-07, 03:20 PM New campaign, starting with 2nd level characters. One player would like an "animal master" ranger, complete with animal companion. What would be a good companion, with enough "cool" factor to enjoy without being so potent that it outshines the 2nd level fighters? Something more than a rat, but less than a bear.
High Octane
07-26-07, 03:30 PM Wolf.
Ace_of_Night
07-26-07, 03:37 PM Fox (Surely you can think up some stats, shouldn't differ much from a wolf)
Snake, medium viper.
MikeR7716
07-26-07, 03:41 PM Fox (Surely you can think up some stats, shouldn't differ much from a wolf)
Snake, medium viper.

Actually, a fox would not be the fighter a wolf could be (although a better match for a 2nd level companion).

A fox, a young wolf and a bobcat are all possibilities. Keep the ideas coming!
Elrond Hubbard
07-26-07, 03:44 PM Second on the wolf.

But if the list of animals in the PHB is too boring for your player, I would allow any animal you can think of whose stats would be roughly equivalent to an animal on the list. Just keep it balanced. I once played a druid from an Australian Outback-type setting who rolled with a Tasmanian Devil, and the DM and I just modded the stats for a wolf (I think).

Alternatively, consider allowing the player to take a younger version of one of the animals from the 4th-lvl or highter list. Mod the stats appropriately. Say, reduce an ape from large to medium, take away some HD and skills, etc.

Just make sure you don't allow the PC an animal that's more powerful than any animal on the PHB starting list, and you should be fine.
Lotusblossom
07-26-07, 06:20 PM Jeez you guys, ranger doesn't get animal companion at 2nd level.
vonklaude
07-26-07, 06:58 PM New campaign, starting with 2nd level characters. One player would like an "animal master" ranger, complete with animal companion. What would be a good companion, with enough "cool" factor to enjoy without being so potent that it outshines the 2nd level fighters? Something more than a rat, but less than a bear.

I like dog. Nearly a wolf, but not as tough, and nicer to children.
Kouk
07-26-07, 09:51 PM He can just use some of his starting money to buy a trained wardog, it's easy.
Nephlite
07-26-07, 10:58 PM He can just use some of his starting money to buy a trained wardog, it's easy.

He kinda has to buy it as you don't get an animal companion till 4th level Ranger or 1st level Druid (if he was really a Druid).
runestar
07-26-07, 11:15 PM Riding dog trained for war. Superior to the wolf.
pres_man
07-26-07, 11:56 PM Guard Dog (using riding dog stats) or a riding dog trained for war. Look in the PHB section for some prices of animals he can afford.
MikeR7716
07-27-07, 01:35 PM Jeez you guys, ranger doesn't get animal companion at 2nd level.

This is a 2nd edition game using the Player Options books. One of the kits is an animal companion, which the player starts with. Typically a wild animal that has a kinship with the character similiar to a familiar and wizard (think old Beast Master movies). The challege is to have a low level character that gains the benefit of the kit without being a party level NPC. (Hense why rangers are normally limited to 4th level for a companion.)

Post/Author/DateTime	Post
MikeR7716 07-26-07, 03:20 PM	New campaign, starting with 2nd level characters. One player would like an "animal master" ranger, complete with animal companion. What would be a good companion, with enough "cool" factor to enjoy without being so potent that it outshines the 2nd level fighters? Something more than a rat, but less than a bear.
High Octane 07-26-07, 03:30 PM	Wolf.
Ace_of_Night 07-26-07, 03:37 PM	Fox (Surely you can think up some stats, shouldn't differ much from a wolf) Snake, medium viper.
MikeR7716 07-26-07, 03:41 PM	Fox (Surely you can think up some stats, shouldn't differ much from a wolf) Snake, medium viper. Actually, a fox would not be the fighter a wolf could be (although a better match for a 2nd level companion). A fox, a young wolf and a bobcat are all possibilities. Keep the ideas coming!
Elrond Hubbard 07-26-07, 03:44 PM	Second on the wolf. But if the list of animals in the PHB is too boring for your player, I would allow any animal you can think of whose stats would be roughly equivalent to an animal on the list. Just keep it balanced. I once played a druid from an Australian Outback-type setting who rolled with a Tasmanian Devil, and the DM and I just modded the stats for a wolf (I think). Alternatively, consider allowing the player to take a younger version of one of the animals from the 4th-lvl or highter list. Mod the stats appropriately. Say, reduce an ape from large to medium, take away some HD and skills, etc. Just make sure you don't allow the PC an animal that's more powerful than any animal on the PHB starting list, and you should be fine.
Lotusblossom 07-26-07, 06:20 PM	Jeez you guys, ranger doesn't get animal companion at 2nd level.
vonklaude 07-26-07, 06:58 PM	New campaign, starting with 2nd level characters. One player would like an "animal master" ranger, complete with animal companion. What would be a good companion, with enough "cool" factor to enjoy without being so potent that it outshines the 2nd level fighters? Something more than a rat, but less than a bear. I like dog. Nearly a wolf, but not as tough, and nicer to children.
Kouk 07-26-07, 09:51 PM	He can just use some of his starting money to buy a trained wardog, it's easy.
Nephlite 07-26-07, 10:58 PM	He can just use some of his starting money to buy a trained wardog, it's easy. He kinda has to buy it as you don't get an animal companion till 4th level Ranger or 1st level Druid (if he was really a Druid).
runestar 07-26-07, 11:15 PM	Riding dog trained for war. Superior to the wolf.
pres_man 07-26-07, 11:56 PM	Guard Dog (using riding dog stats) or a riding dog trained for war. Look in the PHB section for some prices of animals he can afford.
MikeR7716 07-27-07, 01:35 PM	Jeez you guys, ranger doesn't get animal companion at 2nd level. This is a 2nd edition game using the Player Options books. One of the kits is an animal companion, which the player starts with. Typically a wild animal that has a kinship with the character similiar to a familiar and wizard (think old Beast Master movies). The challege is to have a low level character that gains the benefit of the kit without being a party level NPC. (Hense why rangers are normally limited to 4th level for a companion.)