Animal Companions, High or Low? [Archive] - Wizards Community

Animal Companions, High or Low? [Archive] - Wizards Community

Post/Author/DateTime Post
Copper_Coins
09-09-06, 09:28 PM Hey everyone.

So, I'm currently making a Mid-Levelled Druid, and when it came around to my Animal Companion, I got a little stumped in deciding which animal to choose.

My basic problem is choosing between:
A high-levelled animal from the default list.
A low-levelled animal from the alternative list.

So, in your opinion, which is the better choice?
Darkuwa
09-09-06, 11:39 PM Depends on how high. If you can get the T-rex go for it. If you have an affinity for a certain kind of animal use that one. Its really a personal choice. Low level ones get the HD buffed up to match the alternates but not quite. The high ones are better plain but don't get those nice special abilities.
Hydryh
09-10-06, 12:34 AM Truthfully, it's hard to say. I suppose go with whatever works for your character's personality if you're a character-driven player, or the Rex if you're power-driven.
Optimator
09-10-06, 08:28 PM If you can get a magebred one, go for the strongest alternate you can. Don't forget to wartrain it too.
AZNsupermarket
09-10-06, 10:19 PM If you can get a magebred one, go for the strongest alternate you can. Don't forget to wartrain it too.
how do you get a magebread animal companion?
Mitchell
09-11-06, 12:52 AM how do you get a magebread animal companion?

Bake one using magical dough. ;)

They can be purchased. I believe it is in Eberron, but I'm not 100% sure and I'm not going to look it up right now. :cool:
Still, it all comes down to personal preference. The low-level animals get extra HD and nifty abilities. The high-level animals are high level. Maybe split the difference? Go for a mid-level animal that will give you more pure power than a low level animal and more tricks than a high level animal?
igotsmeakabob!!
09-11-06, 02:19 PM Yeah, Mage-Bred animals are from Eberron. And they kick ass.
BW0222
09-11-06, 06:06 PM Copper_Coins,

This really depend upon the campaign and your character.

Starting companions levelled have a lot of advantages:

1. They are generally innocuous. No one has any idea how tough a wolf is until they are surprised by a 6hd wolf. They tend not to get targetting at the start of combat.

2. They tend to less dangerous looking. This tends to mean they are more welcome in inns, boats, don't terrorize the peasants or horses, etc.

3. They have more feats, bonus tricks, and stat increases. This leads to wolves with spring attack or other combos which opponents are not expecting.

4. They tend to be medium or small sized. Thus, you can bring them with you in rowboats, up ropes, etc. They don't count as multiple creatures for transport via plants and other spells.

Larger companions tend to have different advantages...

1. They are big and scary. Lesser folks don't mess with tigers or elephants.

2. Combat power. Shear size makes them dangerous to humaniods/NPCs. Even a 12th-level wizard can easily loose a fight against a 6hd tiger. An 8hd wolf might be scary, but the 6hd dire wolf still tops combat due to tripping, size, and strength.

IMO, if your character build focuses on your companion -- say you take mounted combat or have specific strategies (say animal growthing them), then it is worth going for the larger ones. Typically taking aiding spells (say spider climb, air walk, reduce animal, etc.) to ease moving/travelling with them.

Otherwise, I'd say take the normal animal and the bonus buffing. At higher-levels, consider going for one two tier's back.

Post/Author/DateTime	Post
Copper_Coins 09-09-06, 09:28 PM	Hey everyone. So, I'm currently making a Mid-Levelled Druid, and when it came around to my Animal Companion, I got a little stumped in deciding which animal to choose. My basic problem is choosing between: A high-levelled animal from the default list. A low-levelled animal from the alternative list. So, in your opinion, which is the better choice?
Darkuwa 09-09-06, 11:39 PM	Depends on how high. If you can get the T-rex go for it. If you have an affinity for a certain kind of animal use that one. Its really a personal choice. Low level ones get the HD buffed up to match the alternates but not quite. The high ones are better plain but don't get those nice special abilities.
Hydryh 09-10-06, 12:34 AM	Truthfully, it's hard to say. I suppose go with whatever works for your character's personality if you're a character-driven player, or the Rex if you're power-driven.
Optimator 09-10-06, 08:28 PM	If you can get a magebred one, go for the strongest alternate you can. Don't forget to wartrain it too.
AZNsupermarket 09-10-06, 10:19 PM	If you can get a magebred one, go for the strongest alternate you can. Don't forget to wartrain it too. how do you get a magebread animal companion?
Mitchell 09-11-06, 12:52 AM	how do you get a magebread animal companion? Bake one using magical dough. ;) They can be purchased. I believe it is in Eberron, but I'm not 100% sure and I'm not going to look it up right now. :cool: Still, it all comes down to personal preference. The low-level animals get extra HD and nifty abilities. The high-level animals are high level. Maybe split the difference? Go for a mid-level animal that will give you more pure power than a low level animal and more tricks than a high level animal?
igotsmeakabob!! 09-11-06, 02:19 PM	Yeah, Mage-Bred animals are from Eberron. And they kick ass.
BW0222 09-11-06, 06:06 PM	Copper_Coins, This really depend upon the campaign and your character. Starting companions levelled have a lot of advantages: 1. They are generally innocuous. No one has any idea how tough a wolf is until they are surprised by a 6hd wolf. They tend not to get targetting at the start of combat. 2. They tend to less dangerous looking. This tends to mean they are more welcome in inns, boats, don't terrorize the peasants or horses, etc. 3. They have more feats, bonus tricks, and stat increases. This leads to wolves with spring attack or other combos which opponents are not expecting. 4. They tend to be medium or small sized. Thus, you can bring them with you in rowboats, up ropes, etc. They don't count as multiple creatures for transport via plants and other spells. Larger companions tend to have different advantages... 1. They are big and scary. Lesser folks don't mess with tigers or elephants. 2. Combat power. Shear size makes them dangerous to humaniods/NPCs. Even a 12th-level wizard can easily loose a fight against a 6hd tiger. An 8hd wolf might be scary, but the 6hd dire wolf still tops combat due to tripping, size, and strength. IMO, if your character build focuses on your companion -- say you take mounted combat or have specific strategies (say animal growthing them), then it is worth going for the larger ones. Typically taking aiding spells (say spider climb, air walk, reduce animal, etc.) to ease moving/travelling with them. Otherwise, I'd say take the normal animal and the bonus buffing. At higher-levels, consider going for one two tier's back.