A few very noobish questions, mostly concerning Animal companions [Archive] - Wizards Community

A few very noobish questions, mostly concerning Animal companions [Archive] - Wizards Community

Post/Author/DateTime Post
WetAshes
06-16-06, 04:49 AM Ok, me and some of my friends just recently got into playing D&D in the last few months, and we only know a few people who have been at it a while, and they still arn't sure about alot of stuff in 3.5. But anyways, I've got a bunch of questions about Animal Companions (I'm a 6th level human druid).

1) When a the book refer's to adding "bonus HD" to the animal when he reaches certain level ranges (3-5, 6-8, etc.), it says they get a +2 HD or +4 HD bonus along with the con modifier. Now, that means that you roll 2 d8 right? Not just add 2 hp (what my friend thought)

2)When aquiring a new pet, the book says that you must under go 24 hours of uninterupted prayer, meaning basically after leaving a dugeon, you can't play for 24 hours (if I'm reading this right). Now when you get the new companion, does it come to you as a level 1, or your current level? And if it is level 1, does it continue just leveling up with you as you go (say your 7 when you get it, when you go to 8 it goes to 2, etc.)?

3)Is the pet treated as essentially another player, or is it DM controlled, a NPC basically? So far I've been playing it with the first method. But if that's the case, what's the point in tricks, etc.?

4)On the note of tricks, when you train an animal, and it says it take's 3 weeks, does that mean that you just can't go questing for those 3 weeks while your training it, I really couldn't make too much sense out of that part of the book.

Help is very much appriciated, and I'll probly be back with more questions in the morning, depending on what I get as responses to these. :D
Azezel
06-16-06, 05:06 AM Ok, me and some of my friends just recently got into playing D&D in the last few months, and we only know a few people who have been at it a while, and they still arn't sure about alot of stuff in 3.5. But anyways, I've got a bunch of questions about Animal Companions (I'm a 6th level human druid).

1) When a the book refer's to adding "bonus HD" to the animal when he reaches certain level ranges (3-5, 6-8, etc.), it says they get a +2 HD or +4 HD bonus along with the con modifier. Now, that means that you roll 2 d8 right? Not just add 2 hp (what my friend thought)

That's right - roll two aditional HD add the CON bonus and add whatever total to the animal's hp.

2)When aquiring a new pet, the book says that you must under go 24 hours of uninterupted prayer, meaning basically after leaving a dugeon, you can't play for 24 hours (if I'm reading this right). Now when you get the new companion, does it come to you as a level 1, or your current level? And if it is level 1, does it continue just leveling up with you as you go (say your 7 when you get it, when you go to 8 it goes to 2, etc.)?

This is actually up to the DM - but most DM's will let you gain a new companion of the appropriate HD, or, possibly slightly less than your old one. Whatever the case, your new companion will still advance as you gain levels.

3)Is the pet treated as essentially another player, or is it DM controlled, a NPC basically? So far I've been playing it with the first method. But if that's the case, what's the point in tricks, etc.?

Again - up to the DM. The strict rules are that a Companion is DM controlled, but most DM's will let you control it. However - understand that an Animal Companion is not suicidal. It might give its life for you, but then again, it might not. And if you mistreat it, it woill go away (or attack you).

4)On the note of tricks, when you train an animal, and it says it take's 3 weeks, does that mean that you just can't go questing for those 3 weeks while your training it, I really couldn't make too much sense out of that part of the book.

Yes - for those three weeks you cannot adventure. We call this 'Downtime'. During downtime Wizards research spells and make items, fighters train with their fellows, and Druids teach their companions tricks.

Essentially, at the end of a session you, or the DM says 'for the next three weeks we stay in this town'. Then, next session, the three weeks are up, you make the rolls and the companion knows the trick (or doesn't if the rolls failed).

Help is very much appriciated, and I'll probly be back with more questions in the morning, depending on what I get as responses to these. :D

Help's what we're here for mate.
geekling
06-16-06, 05:28 AM 1) When a the book refer's to adding "bonus HD" to the animal when he reaches certain level ranges (3-5, 6-8, etc.), it says they get a +2 HD or +4 HD bonus along with the con modifier. Now, that means that you roll 2 d8 right? Not just add 2 hp (what my friend thought)

Yes. When you reach level 3 for example, your animal companion goes from a 1HD animal to a 3HD animal as it gain's +2HD. And yes that means rolling 2d8 to add onto the max HP (adding con etc.) not just adding 2HP.

2)When aquiring a new pet, the book says that you must under go 24 hours of uninterupted prayer, meaning basically after leaving a dugeon, you can't play for 24 hours (if I'm reading this right). Now when you get the new companion, does it come to you as a level 1, or your current level? And if it is level 1, does it continue just leveling up with you as you go (say your 7 when you get it, when you go to 8 it goes to 2, etc.)?

Well, it is a game, You don't need to pray for 24 hours, so you can still play. But your character is busy praying. :)
In most games there is this thing called downtime between adventurers...
You know, OK, we found the thingamagig, let's head back to town for some R&R before going on the road again. All you need to do is state that during those two weeks in town - or where you choose to spend your downtime - your PC will spend 24 hours praying to call an animal companion.
It comes to you as an animal of appropriate 'level' (animals don't have levels, they have HD :P) for your PC's class level. So no if you have a level 6th druid you don't get a 1HD animal companion, but a 5HD one (assuming that the base animal is a 1HD one.)

3)Is the pet treated as essentially another player, or is it DM controlled, a NPC basically? So far I've been playing it with the first method. But if that's the case, what's the point in tricks, etc.?

This is one of those up to the DM ones. Some DMs treat it as an NPC controlled by the DM, others figure it's too much work and will let the player control the animal companion.
But even if it is controlled by the DM, you can command it to do the tricks it have been taught. And most of the time it will comply, but it is a seperate entitiy with it's own will and will not obey those commands if it would put it in grave danger.

4)On the note of tricks, when you train an animal, and it says it take's 3 weeks, does that mean that you just can't go questing for those 3 weeks while your training it, I really couldn't make too much sense out of that part of the book.

Yes, that means that for those 3 weeks, you're busy training your animal companion. Again, it's a downtime activity, something you do between quests.
clarkvalentine
06-16-06, 11:54 AM Yes. When you reach level 3 for example, your animal companion goes from a 1HD animal to a 3HD animal as it gain's +2HD. And yes that means rolling 2d8 to add onto the max HP (adding con etc.) not just adding 2HP.

In addition to that, it gains in saves, attacks, skill points, and possibly feats. See the rules in the MM for improving monsters, they apply to animal companions as well.
WetAshes
06-16-06, 02:30 PM Thanks alot guys :) You helped clear up quite a bit, I'll probly be back with more questions after the next time we quest ;) :P .
WetAshes
06-16-06, 04:41 PM It comes to you as an animal of appropriate 'level' (animals don't have levels, they have HD :P) for your PC's class level. So no if you have a level 6th druid you don't get a 1HD animal companion, but a 5HD one (assuming that the base animal is a 1HD one.)

Now when you say that it's a 5 HD one, does that mean that I get to roll an extra 5 hitdice for it, and it learns all the skills that it would have up to that point? (oh, and also, animals don't get extra ranks for skills do they? I'm assuming it just goes up with the ability modifier)
clarkvalentine
06-18-06, 01:38 AM Now when you say that it's a 5 HD one, does that mean that I get to roll an extra 5 hitdice for it, and it learns all the skills that it would have up to that point? (oh, and also, animals don't get extra ranks for skills do they? I'm assuming it just goes up with the ability modifier)

No, advancing animals get skills and feats just like characters. Those extra HD can be thought of as levels of the Animal class.

http://www.d20srd.org/srd/improvingMonsters.htm#increasingHitDice

Or, just look in your Monster Manual under Improving Monsters.

Post/Author/DateTime	Post
WetAshes 06-16-06, 04:49 AM	Ok, me and some of my friends just recently got into playing D&D in the last few months, and we only know a few people who have been at it a while, and they still arn't sure about alot of stuff in 3.5. But anyways, I've got a bunch of questions about Animal Companions (I'm a 6th level human druid). 1) When a the book refer's to adding "bonus HD" to the animal when he reaches certain level ranges (3-5, 6-8, etc.), it says they get a +2 HD or +4 HD bonus along with the con modifier. Now, that means that you roll 2 d8 right? Not just add 2 hp (what my friend thought) 2)When aquiring a new pet, the book says that you must under go 24 hours of uninterupted prayer, meaning basically after leaving a dugeon, you can't play for 24 hours (if I'm reading this right). Now when you get the new companion, does it come to you as a level 1, or your current level? And if it is level 1, does it continue just leveling up with you as you go (say your 7 when you get it, when you go to 8 it goes to 2, etc.)? 3)Is the pet treated as essentially another player, or is it DM controlled, a NPC basically? So far I've been playing it with the first method. But if that's the case, what's the point in tricks, etc.? 4)On the note of tricks, when you train an animal, and it says it take's 3 weeks, does that mean that you just can't go questing for those 3 weeks while your training it, I really couldn't make too much sense out of that part of the book. Help is very much appriciated, and I'll probly be back with more questions in the morning, depending on what I get as responses to these. :D
Azezel 06-16-06, 05:06 AM	Ok, me and some of my friends just recently got into playing D&D in the last few months, and we only know a few people who have been at it a while, and they still arn't sure about alot of stuff in 3.5. But anyways, I've got a bunch of questions about Animal Companions (I'm a 6th level human druid). 1) When a the book refer's to adding "bonus HD" to the animal when he reaches certain level ranges (3-5, 6-8, etc.), it says they get a +2 HD or +4 HD bonus along with the con modifier. Now, that means that you roll 2 d8 right? Not just add 2 hp (what my friend thought) That's right - roll two aditional HD add the CON bonus and add whatever total to the animal's hp. 2)When aquiring a new pet, the book says that you must under go 24 hours of uninterupted prayer, meaning basically after leaving a dugeon, you can't play for 24 hours (if I'm reading this right). Now when you get the new companion, does it come to you as a level 1, or your current level? And if it is level 1, does it continue just leveling up with you as you go (say your 7 when you get it, when you go to 8 it goes to 2, etc.)? This is actually up to the DM - but most DM's will let you gain a new companion of the appropriate HD, or, possibly slightly less than your old one. Whatever the case, your new companion will still advance as you gain levels. 3)Is the pet treated as essentially another player, or is it DM controlled, a NPC basically? So far I've been playing it with the first method. But if that's the case, what's the point in tricks, etc.? Again - up to the DM. The strict rules are that a Companion is DM controlled, but most DM's will let you control it. However - understand that an Animal Companion is not suicidal. It might give its life for you, but then again, it might not. And if you mistreat it, it woill go away (or attack you). 4)On the note of tricks, when you train an animal, and it says it take's 3 weeks, does that mean that you just can't go questing for those 3 weeks while your training it, I really couldn't make too much sense out of that part of the book. Yes - for those three weeks you cannot adventure. We call this 'Downtime'. During downtime Wizards research spells and make items, fighters train with their fellows, and Druids teach their companions tricks. Essentially, at the end of a session you, or the DM says 'for the next three weeks we stay in this town'. Then, next session, the three weeks are up, you make the rolls and the companion knows the trick (or doesn't if the rolls failed). Help is very much appriciated, and I'll probly be back with more questions in the morning, depending on what I get as responses to these. :D Help's what we're here for mate.
geekling 06-16-06, 05:28 AM	1) When a the book refer's to adding "bonus HD" to the animal when he reaches certain level ranges (3-5, 6-8, etc.), it says they get a +2 HD or +4 HD bonus along with the con modifier. Now, that means that you roll 2 d8 right? Not just add 2 hp (what my friend thought) Yes. When you reach level 3 for example, your animal companion goes from a 1HD animal to a 3HD animal as it gain's +2HD. And yes that means rolling 2d8 to add onto the max HP (adding con etc.) not just adding 2HP. 2)When aquiring a new pet, the book says that you must under go 24 hours of uninterupted prayer, meaning basically after leaving a dugeon, you can't play for 24 hours (if I'm reading this right). Now when you get the new companion, does it come to you as a level 1, or your current level? And if it is level 1, does it continue just leveling up with you as you go (say your 7 when you get it, when you go to 8 it goes to 2, etc.)? Well, it is a game, You don't need to pray for 24 hours, so you can still play. But your character is busy praying. :) In most games there is this thing called downtime between adventurers... You know, OK, we found the thingamagig, let's head back to town for some R&R before going on the road again. All you need to do is state that during those two weeks in town - or where you choose to spend your downtime - your PC will spend 24 hours praying to call an animal companion. It comes to you as an animal of appropriate 'level' (animals don't have levels, they have HD :P) for your PC's class level. So no if you have a level 6th druid you don't get a 1HD animal companion, but a 5HD one (assuming that the base animal is a 1HD one.) 3)Is the pet treated as essentially another player, or is it DM controlled, a NPC basically? So far I've been playing it with the first method. But if that's the case, what's the point in tricks, etc.? This is one of those up to the DM ones. Some DMs treat it as an NPC controlled by the DM, others figure it's too much work and will let the player control the animal companion. But even if it is controlled by the DM, you can command it to do the tricks it have been taught. And most of the time it will comply, but it is a seperate entitiy with it's own will and will not obey those commands if it would put it in grave danger. 4)On the note of tricks, when you train an animal, and it says it take's 3 weeks, does that mean that you just can't go questing for those 3 weeks while your training it, I really couldn't make too much sense out of that part of the book. Yes, that means that for those 3 weeks, you're busy training your animal companion. Again, it's a downtime activity, something you do between quests.
clarkvalentine 06-16-06, 11:54 AM	Yes. When you reach level 3 for example, your animal companion goes from a 1HD animal to a 3HD animal as it gain's +2HD. And yes that means rolling 2d8 to add onto the max HP (adding con etc.) not just adding 2HP. In addition to that, it gains in saves, attacks, skill points, and possibly feats. See the rules in the MM for improving monsters, they apply to animal companions as well.
WetAshes 06-16-06, 02:30 PM	Thanks alot guys :) You helped clear up quite a bit, I'll probly be back with more questions after the next time we quest ;) :P .
WetAshes 06-16-06, 04:41 PM	It comes to you as an animal of appropriate 'level' (animals don't have levels, they have HD :P) for your PC's class level. So no if you have a level 6th druid you don't get a 1HD animal companion, but a 5HD one (assuming that the base animal is a 1HD one.) Now when you say that it's a 5 HD one, does that mean that I get to roll an extra 5 hitdice for it, and it learns all the skills that it would have up to that point? (oh, and also, animals don't get extra ranks for skills do they? I'm assuming it just goes up with the ability modifier)
clarkvalentine 06-18-06, 01:38 AM	Now when you say that it's a 5 HD one, does that mean that I get to roll an extra 5 hitdice for it, and it learns all the skills that it would have up to that point? (oh, and also, animals don't get extra ranks for skills do they? I'm assuming it just goes up with the ability modifier) No, advancing animals get skills and feats just like characters. Those extra HD can be thought of as levels of the Animal class. http://www.d20srd.org/srd/improvingMonsters.htm#increasingHitDice Or, just look in your Monster Manual under Improving Monsters.