Druid Help [Archive] - Wizards Community - Pages Merged by Solauren

Druid Help [Archive] - Wizards Community

Post/Author/DateTime Post
EnvyHax
04-09-07, 05:01 AM Hi, I need some help T_T

I'm making a level 5 Druid and have never had to deal with an animal companion before. So here are a few questions I have:

On pg 36 of the PHB is states that my animal companion gains Bonus HD based on my Druid level. It also says to look under advancing a monster in the Monster Manual.

When I do that, it says that monsters grow in size when they reach a certain HD, depending on the specific monster.

Does my animal companion grow this way too?
If so, does it gain everything that is associated with an increase in size? (+str -dex and an increase in dam)
However if it doesn't do it's attacks (Claw/Bite 1d6+2) ever get higher?
If not, it is worth it to stick to a single animal companion my entire time playing this character?

Thanks alot in advanced,
Envy
fiellan
04-09-07, 06:18 AM The Answers are ...
1. No it doesn't grow in size. There is official errata for the 3,5 PHB to this effect.
2. Yes it is worth keeping the same animal companon throughout your career. That way you get to choose it's feats when it reaches a multiple of 3HD and you get to assign it's skill points etc making it much more tailored to the way you want it to be.

Hope you enjoy playing the class :)
BW0222
04-09-07, 09:54 AM EnvyHax,

Does my animal companion grow this way too?

As fiellan said No. Animal companions to not advance in hit dice, they gain bonus hit dice. These provide only the benefits specified under the druid animal companion notes - hit points, skill points, feats, etc. This does not include size increases. Bonus hit dice are not permanent and can go away if the druid dismisses the companion.

If not, it is worth it to stick to a single animal companion my entire time playing this character?

That really depends.

Many of the later animals are much tougher than the starting companions - even with all those bonus hit dice. For example, a 6hd tiger (available at 7th-level) is notably stronger than a 6hd (2+4 bonus hd) wolf. The tiger's large size gives it a much higher strength, constitution, and attack potential than any wolf is likely to be.

The disadvantages is that the tiger might be a problem brining into many dungeons, towns, palaces, boats, etc. whereas the wolf might be more easily accepted and/or easier to transport. In combat, there may also be an advantage to the wolf -- it is more suitable for narrow dungeons and most folks won't immediately target it.
Feral_Druid
04-10-07, 02:39 PM keep in mind that Reduce Animal is a 2nd lvl Druid Spell, quite useful for getting that Large sized Companion into a tight space.

Post/Author/DateTime	Post
EnvyHax 04-09-07, 05:01 AM	Hi, I need some help T_T I'm making a level 5 Druid and have never had to deal with an animal companion before. So here are a few questions I have: On pg 36 of the PHB is states that my animal companion gains Bonus HD based on my Druid level. It also says to look under advancing a monster in the Monster Manual. When I do that, it says that monsters grow in size when they reach a certain HD, depending on the specific monster. Does my animal companion grow this way too? If so, does it gain everything that is associated with an increase in size? (+str -dex and an increase in dam) However if it doesn't do it's attacks (Claw/Bite 1d6+2) ever get higher? If not, it is worth it to stick to a single animal companion my entire time playing this character? Thanks alot in advanced, Envy
fiellan 04-09-07, 06:18 AM	The Answers are ... 1. No it doesn't grow in size. There is official errata for the 3,5 PHB to this effect. 2. Yes it is worth keeping the same animal companon throughout your career. That way you get to choose it's feats when it reaches a multiple of 3HD and you get to assign it's skill points etc making it much more tailored to the way you want it to be. Hope you enjoy playing the class :)
BW0222 04-09-07, 09:54 AM	EnvyHax, Does my animal companion grow this way too? As fiellan said No. Animal companions to not advance in hit dice, they gain bonus hit dice. These provide only the benefits specified under the druid animal companion notes - hit points, skill points, feats, etc. This does not include size increases. Bonus hit dice are not permanent and can go away if the druid dismisses the companion. If not, it is worth it to stick to a single animal companion my entire time playing this character? That really depends. Many of the later animals are much tougher than the starting companions - even with all those bonus hit dice. For example, a 6hd tiger (available at 7th-level) is notably stronger than a 6hd (2+4 bonus hd) wolf. The tiger's large size gives it a much higher strength, constitution, and attack potential than any wolf is likely to be. The disadvantages is that the tiger might be a problem brining into many dungeons, towns, palaces, boats, etc. whereas the wolf might be more easily accepted and/or easier to transport. In combat, there may also be an advantage to the wolf -- it is more suitable for narrow dungeons and most folks won't immediately target it.
Feral_Druid 04-10-07, 02:39 PM	keep in mind that Reduce Animal is a 2nd lvl Druid Spell, quite useful for getting that Large sized Companion into a tight space.