Animal Companions for a Ranger [Archive] - Wizards Community

Animal Companions for a Ranger [Archive] - Wizards Community

Post/Author/DateTime Post
Revan54115110
07-14-07, 08:39 PM Ok I am thinking of only having 8 levels in ranger and taking Natures bound (the feat the gives +3 levels of druid toward your animal companions) on top of that

My usual role in combat is to sneak up / flank and mostly go after the weaker targets like enemy spell casters and sharpshooters. In hit and run attacks before going into the main fight.

So, what would be a good animal companion and way?
danielinthewolvesden
07-15-07, 02:10 AM How many other folks in your party, and what is the party composition?
Nykidemus
07-15-07, 04:35 AM Wolf is a pretty classic flanker. High speed, and they get trip. They are pretty commonly played though. Something unusual like an ape or a direbat or something might be more up your alley. Direbats are large and can be ridden too, and I believe they are available at druid level 4.
Revan54115110
07-15-07, 11:10 AM Two wizards, druid (right now with no animal companion know idea way?),a bard, swordsage that is using shadow hand and my ranger
danielinthewolvesden
07-15-07, 03:25 PM With seven players, here is my advice. Go to you DM and explain that with this many players, adding in companions and cohorts really slows the game down, and you would be OK with dumping the Animal Companion for an add'l class ability. The druid should do the same, IMHO.
Fatalis_902
07-15-07, 03:48 PM 6 players. There are only six characters listed. But yeah, with that many, cohorts and companions serve only to slow down the game. The PHB2 has a nice alternate class feature for Rangers, but the one for druids also requires sacrificing wildshape, something most druids should be loath to do.
Thubby
07-15-07, 08:23 PM i would go with warhorse, in addition to having some firepower of their own, it can help you flank with the animal companion your druid should have. even without it, hit and run on a horse works better. it would also let you have a companion without adding alot of time for the creatures turn, since it is going with you.
AAB
07-16-07, 02:27 AM i second the vote for a warhorse. you can let the druid wildshape and tank while the swordsage does some hit-and-run and you (preferably) bring some mounted archery into the equation.
BW0222
07-16-07, 01:59 PM Revan54115110,

Ok... you are 8th-level. Typical opponents are hill giants, trolls, etc.

You have the animal companion of a 7th-level druid (8/4+3). That is either a 1st-level animal (horse, wolf, snake, badger) at +4hd, a 4th-level animal (wolverine, dire weasel, bisson, etc.) +2 hd, or a 7th-level animal (tiger, dire wolf, etc.)

Now, if you have mounted combat (or can take it), then a mount is likely a good idea. I'd still go for a tiger or dire wolf over a horse. They are far more powerful in melee and (slighly) easier to take into dungeons. Make sure you have reduce animal and speak with animals in case you run into tight spaces, ropes, ladders, etc. Give the animal some good barding, max out ride, and buff with shared spells, and they make great skirmishing mounts.

Alternately, you could go for a scouting type creature. Owl, bat, or hawk. Keep them out of combat, but have them help on guard duty, spying, following, etc. Take a lot of speak with animals (a wand or scrolls) and use them intelligently. IMO, you don't need the Natures bound feat.

Final choice is something like a wolf or riding dog and give it some combat-like feats. Dodge and mobility or something. They are easier to transport in dungeons and useful in combat if they stick to tripping and pulling back often. Such animals are also easier to take into urban settings, buildings, and somewhat deceiptful in combat -- you don't know it is a 6hd wolf.
High Octane
07-16-07, 02:02 PM Wolves are classic, might look into a leapord or even a puma.

Sarge- "What is sam hill is a puma?"

You could also get a chupa-thingy animal companion.
Thubby
07-16-07, 02:33 PM Wolves are classic, might look into a leapord or even a puma.

Sarge- "What is sam hill is a puma?"

You could also get a chupa-thingy animal companion.

how on earth did you manage to draw a connection between red vs. blue and dnd?
High Octane
07-16-07, 02:45 PM how on earth did you manage to draw a connection between red vs. blue and dnd?

I'm just that good.

*Thrusts triumphantly and poses*
Fatalis_902
07-16-07, 07:08 PM Sarge- "What in sam hill is a puma?"

"You mean like the shoe company?"
"No, it's a big cat."
snakeman830
07-17-07, 10:33 AM "You see these hooks? They look like tusks. Now what kind of an animal has tusks?"

"A walrus?"

"Didn't I tell you to stop makin up animals?"

Yay RvB!!! (I'm still trying to convince my DM to let me play Andy).
zelf_gale
07-17-07, 03:38 PM Riding dog is my favorite. Small sized character mount. Free trip attempts. Easy role playing requirements to get it in most cities and stables. Some Inns and Taverns will even let him in the common room if she's well behaved. And as one of the initial choices you won't be delayed on the special abilities by having to take a penalty to your effective level.

Post/Author/DateTime	Post
Revan54115110 07-14-07, 08:39 PM	Ok I am thinking of only having 8 levels in ranger and taking Natures bound (the feat the gives +3 levels of druid toward your animal companions) on top of that My usual role in combat is to sneak up / flank and mostly go after the weaker targets like enemy spell casters and sharpshooters. In hit and run attacks before going into the main fight. So, what would be a good animal companion and way?
danielinthewolvesden 07-15-07, 02:10 AM	How many other folks in your party, and what is the party composition?
Nykidemus 07-15-07, 04:35 AM	Wolf is a pretty classic flanker. High speed, and they get trip. They are pretty commonly played though. Something unusual like an ape or a direbat or something might be more up your alley. Direbats are large and can be ridden too, and I believe they are available at druid level 4.
Revan54115110 07-15-07, 11:10 AM	Two wizards, druid (right now with no animal companion know idea way?),a bard, swordsage that is using shadow hand and my ranger
danielinthewolvesden 07-15-07, 03:25 PM	With seven players, here is my advice. Go to you DM and explain that with this many players, adding in companions and cohorts really slows the game down, and you would be OK with dumping the Animal Companion for an add'l class ability. The druid should do the same, IMHO.
Fatalis_902 07-15-07, 03:48 PM	6 players. There are only six characters listed. But yeah, with that many, cohorts and companions serve only to slow down the game. The PHB2 has a nice alternate class feature for Rangers, but the one for druids also requires sacrificing wildshape, something most druids should be loath to do.
Thubby 07-15-07, 08:23 PM	i would go with warhorse, in addition to having some firepower of their own, it can help you flank with the animal companion your druid should have. even without it, hit and run on a horse works better. it would also let you have a companion without adding alot of time for the creatures turn, since it is going with you.
AAB 07-16-07, 02:27 AM	i second the vote for a warhorse. you can let the druid wildshape and tank while the swordsage does some hit-and-run and you (preferably) bring some mounted archery into the equation.
BW0222 07-16-07, 01:59 PM	Revan54115110, Ok... you are 8th-level. Typical opponents are hill giants, trolls, etc. You have the animal companion of a 7th-level druid (8/4+3). That is either a 1st-level animal (horse, wolf, snake, badger) at +4hd, a 4th-level animal (wolverine, dire weasel, bisson, etc.) +2 hd, or a 7th-level animal (tiger, dire wolf, etc.) Now, if you have mounted combat (or can take it), then a mount is likely a good idea. I'd still go for a tiger or dire wolf over a horse. They are far more powerful in melee and (slighly) easier to take into dungeons. Make sure you have reduce animal and speak with animals in case you run into tight spaces, ropes, ladders, etc. Give the animal some good barding, max out ride, and buff with shared spells, and they make great skirmishing mounts. Alternately, you could go for a scouting type creature. Owl, bat, or hawk. Keep them out of combat, but have them help on guard duty, spying, following, etc. Take a lot of speak with animals (a wand or scrolls) and use them intelligently. IMO, you don't need the Natures bound feat. Final choice is something like a wolf or riding dog and give it some combat-like feats. Dodge and mobility or something. They are easier to transport in dungeons and useful in combat if they stick to tripping and pulling back often. Such animals are also easier to take into urban settings, buildings, and somewhat deceiptful in combat -- you don't know it is a 6hd wolf.
High Octane 07-16-07, 02:02 PM	Wolves are classic, might look into a leapord or even a puma. Sarge- "What is sam hill is a puma?" You could also get a chupa-thingy animal companion.
Thubby 07-16-07, 02:33 PM	Wolves are classic, might look into a leapord or even a puma. Sarge- "What is sam hill is a puma?" You could also get a chupa-thingy animal companion. how on earth did you manage to draw a connection between red vs. blue and dnd?
High Octane 07-16-07, 02:45 PM	how on earth did you manage to draw a connection between red vs. blue and dnd? I'm just that good. Thrusts triumphantly and poses
Fatalis_902 07-16-07, 07:08 PM	Sarge- "What in sam hill is a puma?" "You mean like the shoe company?" "No, it's a big cat."
snakeman830 07-17-07, 10:33 AM	"You see these hooks? They look like tusks. Now what kind of an animal has tusks?" "A walrus?" "Didn't I tell you to stop makin up animals?" Yay RvB!!! (I'm still trying to convince my DM to let me play Andy).
zelf_gale 07-17-07, 03:38 PM	Riding dog is my favorite. Small sized character mount. Free trip attempts. Easy role playing requirements to get it in most cities and stables. Some Inns and Taverns will even let him in the common room if she's well behaved. And as one of the initial choices you won't be delayed on the special abilities by having to take a penalty to your effective level.