Animal Companions w/ Hit Dice advancement [Archive] - Wizards Community

Animal Companions w/ Hit Dice advancement [Archive] - Wizards Community

Post/Author/DateTime Post
BeauJest
03-03-06, 11:33 AM Am I correct to assume a druid or ranger's animal companion can actually grow in size for those listed with hit dice advancement?

It's seems from the list of animals available at 1st level, the following could grow in size:

Dire Rat
Eagle
Owl
Wolf

Clearly, the wolf is the standout choice here. So the wolf companion of a 3rd-level Druid would get +2 HD bonus making it a Large creature. So in addition to the standard bonuses, it would also get +8 Str, -2 Dex, +4 Con, +2 natural, -1 attack, and 1d8 bite damage.

Am I wrong to think this is somewhat unbalancing vs. the other animals. It would seem for animals companions, the bonus HD should not increase their size unless it did so in the consistent way. Why can a wolverine grow to be large, but not a Leopard or Crocodile? Just looking for some thoughts on how to adjudicate this.
Radijs
03-03-06, 12:01 PM They dont become larger because of bonus HD.

They do gain extra BAB, Feats and skill points.
Chimaera2000
03-03-06, 12:27 PM I know that animal companions don't increase in size because of their bonus Hit Dice, but I can't name my source.

Sorry I couldn't be of more help.
astute1
03-03-06, 12:54 PM They are "Bonus" hit dice, and therefore don't count for sizing up. This issue is adressed in the FAQ.
An animal companion doesn't get bigger when it adds extra hit dice for the master's levels.
BeauJest
03-03-06, 01:45 PM Makes sense. Thanks everyone!
Haml337
03-03-06, 08:43 PM I once wanted a desert druid, but none of the companions seemed right. So I poked my nose into the monster filter over at the SRD, and I came up with the Hyena.

The CO board was only able to recommend (a) call it a hyena, but use the wolf's stats or (b) some wacky substitution I can't remember. It didn't make sense to me.

Another message board recommended making it a level 2 animal companion. It's not powerful enough to list with the other 4th level companions, but it's apparently too good for first level, like the wolf.

Any DMs have a suggestion on using the Hyena for an animal companion as a druid?
astute1
03-04-06, 09:33 AM Hyena and wolf are nearly identical stats-wise. I don't see any reason you couldn't swap one for the other. Other good choices for a desert theme druid would be the Viper (rattlesnakes are vipers, and rattlers live in the desert), the Eagle (plenty of desert eagles), or the Camel.
Haml337
03-04-06, 12:44 PM Well... the druid had kind of a blighter (Dark Sun) feel to him. He wanted to lay waste to humanity and the face of the earth, turn it into a wasteland and let gaia (or whatever) rebuild itself as part of the natural cycle. (For more on the concept, think of the Dragons of Heaven from X, an anime series.)

I just thought a hyena was the most appropriate flavor-wise, for the character concept. ^_^ Thanks for the other ideas, though.
astute1
03-04-06, 01:47 PM For a blighter, I'd say that vulture is the obvious choice. You can use the stats for Eagles, since they're both largish birds of prey.

Post/Author/DateTime	Post
BeauJest 03-03-06, 11:33 AM	Am I correct to assume a druid or ranger's animal companion can actually grow in size for those listed with hit dice advancement? It's seems from the list of animals available at 1st level, the following could grow in size: Dire Rat Eagle Owl Wolf Clearly, the wolf is the standout choice here. So the wolf companion of a 3rd-level Druid would get +2 HD bonus making it a Large creature. So in addition to the standard bonuses, it would also get +8 Str, -2 Dex, +4 Con, +2 natural, -1 attack, and 1d8 bite damage. Am I wrong to think this is somewhat unbalancing vs. the other animals. It would seem for animals companions, the bonus HD should not increase their size unless it did so in the consistent way. Why can a wolverine grow to be large, but not a Leopard or Crocodile? Just looking for some thoughts on how to adjudicate this.
Radijs 03-03-06, 12:01 PM	They dont become larger because of bonus HD. They do gain extra BAB, Feats and skill points.
Chimaera2000 03-03-06, 12:27 PM	I know that animal companions don't increase in size because of their bonus Hit Dice, but I can't name my source. Sorry I couldn't be of more help.
astute1 03-03-06, 12:54 PM	They are "Bonus" hit dice, and therefore don't count for sizing up. This issue is adressed in the FAQ. An animal companion doesn't get bigger when it adds extra hit dice for the master's levels.
BeauJest 03-03-06, 01:45 PM	Makes sense. Thanks everyone!
Haml337 03-03-06, 08:43 PM	I once wanted a desert druid, but none of the companions seemed right. So I poked my nose into the monster filter over at the SRD, and I came up with the Hyena. The CO board was only able to recommend (a) call it a hyena, but use the wolf's stats or (b) some wacky substitution I can't remember. It didn't make sense to me. Another message board recommended making it a level 2 animal companion. It's not powerful enough to list with the other 4th level companions, but it's apparently too good for first level, like the wolf. Any DMs have a suggestion on using the Hyena for an animal companion as a druid?
astute1 03-04-06, 09:33 AM	Hyena and wolf are nearly identical stats-wise. I don't see any reason you couldn't swap one for the other. Other good choices for a desert theme druid would be the Viper (rattlesnakes are vipers, and rattlers live in the desert), the Eagle (plenty of desert eagles), or the Camel.
Haml337 03-04-06, 12:44 PM	Well... the druid had kind of a blighter (Dark Sun) feel to him. He wanted to lay waste to humanity and the face of the earth, turn it into a wasteland and let gaia (or whatever) rebuild itself as part of the natural cycle. (For more on the concept, think of the Dragons of Heaven from X, an anime series.) I just thought a hyena was the most appropriate flavor-wise, for the character concept. ^_^ Thanks for the other ideas, though.
astute1 03-04-06, 01:47 PM	For a blighter, I'd say that vulture is the obvious choice. You can use the stats for Eagles, since they're both largish birds of prey.