Animal Companion Customization feats - Downloaded from the Wizards Community, all coding removed by Solauren

Animal Companion Customization feats

Post/Author/DateTime Post
#1
johnthedm7000
Oct 28, 2008 1:48:00 In anticipation of the Beastmaster class feature for the Ranger to appear in Martial Power, I've been thinking of a new variety of feat that grants additional abilities to one's animal companion as a way of differentiating them from others within the same category. Here are some ideas, tell me what you guys think!

Heroic Tier:

Diseased Bite:
Prequisites: Beast Master Class Feature
Your animal companion possesses a foul bite, claw or similar attack that taints those who are struck by it.

Benefit: Your animal companion's attacks inflict filth fever upon those struck by them. For the purposes of the disease's potency, the animal companion's level is equal to your level.

Raven's Mimcry
Prequisites: Beast Master Class Feature, Raptor Animal Companion
Your avian companion has the ability to mimic voices, like a parrot, raven, magpie, or crow.
Benefit:Your companion gains the use of the Cantrip Ghost Sound as an at will ability. You must instruct your companion on what to say, unless it somehow possesses humanoid levels of intelligence.

Poisoned Bite
Prequisites: Beast Master Class Feature, Lizard, Spider, or Serpent Animal companion.
Your companion possesses a natural venom that it uses to neutralize both prey and your enemies.
Benefit: Once per encounter your companion, upon hitting an opponent with an attack, may make a secondary attack against that same target at it's regular attack bonus against the target's fortitude. On a hit, it deals ongoing 2 poison damage (save ends).

That's all I've come up with so far...tell me if you think they're balanced and feel free to contribute ideas as to what you'd like to see as far as feat-based options to customize animal companions!
#2
johnthedm7000
Oct 28, 2008 15:53:32 Intelligent Companion
Prequisites: Beastmaster Class Feature.
Your companion is a member of a species that possesses humanoid levels of intelligence.
Benefit:Your gain 8 points that can be used to increase your companion's intelligence and charisma scores on a one-for-one basis. Once assigned, these points may not be changed.

Pack Tactics
Prequisites: Beastmaster Class Feature
Your companion is a creature that's born or bred to fight in a pack or group.
Benefit: When your you and your companion flank an enemy, the bonus to attacks that it gains against that enemy from flanking increases by 1.

Natural Camouflage
Prequisites: Beastmaster Class Feature
Your companion is uniquely adapted to hide in a particular type of terrain.
Benefit: When you select this feat choose one of the following terrain types: Mountains, Plains, Water, Hills, Forest, Swamps, or Underground. Your companion gains a +5 bonus to stealth checks made within the designated terrain type.
#3
johnthedm7000
Oct 29, 2008 20:09:12 Hello? Anyone have any input on this idea? Or critiques on my feat ideas?
#4
ryukatana
Oct 30, 2008 1:47:44 "Without the knowledge of how Wizards is going to handle this, you are just throwing darts at no board."
#5
johnthedm7000
Oct 30, 2008 13:48:50 Well we do know a couple of things:

1. WOTC has designed a Ranger class feature that focuses on using animal companions, dubbed the "beastmaster".

2. The animal companions use your actions to move and attack in combat.

3. Each ranger's animal companion belongs to one of several different categories. Individual animals within the same category don't have different stats.

4. That there's an upper and lower limit on effects, damage, and bonuses in each tier that's been demonstrated.

5. Feats are used to customize your character, and that there's precedent for feats that improve class features.

6. A character who bonds with a companion lends itself fairly well to flanking tactics in combat.

So with that in mind, I think it's pretty rational to think that "hey, perhaps WOTC is going to include feats that customize the Beastmaster's companion" and looking at the effects of similar feats in the same tier (and making sure they have comparable effects) is relatively easy. So with that in mind, and knowing that we can't know everything about this build (given that it's not out yet) do you think these feats sound cool and balanced? Because if WOTC doesn't make something like this I certainly will.
#6
ryukatana
Oct 30, 2008 14:45:36 "That doesn't change the fact that we know nothing about whether or not WotC will make these feats and on top of that, we don't know the stats for the animal companions individually. So while some feats could be created, not much can really be thought out."
#7
awesome_dude
Oct 30, 2008 19:13:02 Why do you quote yourself?
#8
johnthedm7000
Oct 30, 2008 21:52:59 I have no idea why he does it-but that's neither here nor there. I greatly respect your opinions awesome dude, so tell me: what do you think? Are they a good idea, are the feats I've created balanced, and do you have any additional ideas?
#9
awesome_dude
Oct 30, 2008 23:10:36
I have no idea why he does it-but that's neither here nor there. I greatly respect your opinions awesome dude, so tell me: what do you think? Are they a good idea, are the feats I've created balanced, and do you have any additional ideas?

Okay, but don't trust me too much, given that I don't have all the information on animal companions. I'll just try looking at them as I do normally with feats.

I question the value of inflicting Filth Fever with a bite. Granted, it takes away a healing surge, but monsters don't tend to use those anyway. The stronger effects don't set in until after their next extended rest, which I doubt will happen unless you lose the fight.

The second feat is something that I'd rather keep as a fluff ability. You know how some owners teach their pets (hilarious when it's dogs and cats; see YouTube) to mimic sounds? Sort of like that.

Now, the Poisoned Bite feat I like. If you'd scale it from 1 point of damage at heroic tier to maybe 3 at paragon, and 5 at epic, you'd have a nice at will substitute for the store-bought kind (which deals more damage but in turn costs more money).

The Intelligent Companion feat is sort of irrelevant because you control your companion's actions completely. The strongest utility is that if you send it on an errand, it's less likely to become confused (like buying spelt bread instead of whole wheat, that idiot).

I'm mostly okay with Pack Tactics. It's a solid feat. Possibly a little too tempting, but I'll compare it to the newer feats (if any) when Martial Power comes out.

I think the Natural Camouflage is a little too specific, but if you stay in the same terrain, it's pretty powerful. Basically an all-or-nothing type of deal. Personally, I think this is a bad idea, but that doesn't make it inherently so, and some people seem to like this design.
#10
johnthedm7000
Oct 31, 2008 0:13:24 Thank you so much for your feedback!

To answer your concerns and criticisms:

1. The ability to induce filth fever is for hit and run attacks as well as punishing foes that run away, only to bother you later (most notably reoccurring villains). I do see your point though. Perhaps making it so that the feat inflicts something similar in flavor to filth fever but that has more short term consequences, as well as long term ones. Any suggestions?

2. I'd rather keep it as a feat, given that there's a precedent in the Gnoll feat Butcher's Lure in Dragon. Ghost Sound is a powerful ability-it's part of a class feature and has many out of combat and even in-combat uses for creative players.

3. You're right about Intelligent companion as is-I should of realized that. I should probably make the feat grant speech in a single language as well, so your spending a feat to gain something equivalent to an intelligent weapon-something you can confer with, as well as allowing it to serve as a very efficient scout that can tell you more than "there were lots of smelly two legs".

4. That's a good idea-I was thinking of it as a counterpart to weapon focus with the trade off that it's only usable once per encounter but in exchange has the potential to inflict more damage than weapon focus. Consider it changed!

5. Perhaps making it a paragon feat would balance it? Or would that nerf it too much?

6. My thoughts when thinking up the Natural Camoflague feat is that 4th edition, more than any other, favors changing around terrain, and therefore adventure locations. I think it's comparable to the Mounted Combat feat, in that there are some situations where you can't gain the benefit, but in those situations that you can it's a great benefit.

Post/Author/DateTime	Post
#1 johnthedm7000 Oct 28, 2008 1:48:00	In anticipation of the Beastmaster class feature for the Ranger to appear in Martial Power, I've been thinking of a new variety of feat that grants additional abilities to one's animal companion as a way of differentiating them from others within the same category. Here are some ideas, tell me what you guys think! Heroic Tier: Diseased Bite: Prequisites: Beast Master Class Feature Your animal companion possesses a foul bite, claw or similar attack that taints those who are struck by it. Benefit: Your animal companion's attacks inflict filth fever upon those struck by them. For the purposes of the disease's potency, the animal companion's level is equal to your level. Raven's Mimcry Prequisites: Beast Master Class Feature, Raptor Animal Companion Your avian companion has the ability to mimic voices, like a parrot, raven, magpie, or crow. Benefit:Your companion gains the use of the Cantrip Ghost Sound as an at will ability. You must instruct your companion on what to say, unless it somehow possesses humanoid levels of intelligence. Poisoned Bite Prequisites: Beast Master Class Feature, Lizard, Spider, or Serpent Animal companion. Your companion possesses a natural venom that it uses to neutralize both prey and your enemies. Benefit: Once per encounter your companion, upon hitting an opponent with an attack, may make a secondary attack against that same target at it's regular attack bonus against the target's fortitude. On a hit, it deals ongoing 2 poison damage (save ends). That's all I've come up with so far...tell me if you think they're balanced and feel free to contribute ideas as to what you'd like to see as far as feat-based options to customize animal companions!
#2 johnthedm7000 Oct 28, 2008 15:53:32	Intelligent Companion Prequisites: Beastmaster Class Feature. Your companion is a member of a species that possesses humanoid levels of intelligence. Benefit:Your gain 8 points that can be used to increase your companion's intelligence and charisma scores on a one-for-one basis. Once assigned, these points may not be changed. Pack Tactics Prequisites: Beastmaster Class Feature Your companion is a creature that's born or bred to fight in a pack or group. Benefit: When your you and your companion flank an enemy, the bonus to attacks that it gains against that enemy from flanking increases by 1. Natural Camouflage Prequisites: Beastmaster Class Feature Your companion is uniquely adapted to hide in a particular type of terrain. Benefit: When you select this feat choose one of the following terrain types: Mountains, Plains, Water, Hills, Forest, Swamps, or Underground. Your companion gains a +5 bonus to stealth checks made within the designated terrain type.
#3 johnthedm7000 Oct 29, 2008 20:09:12	Hello? Anyone have any input on this idea? Or critiques on my feat ideas?
#4 ryukatana Oct 30, 2008 1:47:44	"Without the knowledge of how Wizards is going to handle this, you are just throwing darts at no board."
#5 johnthedm7000 Oct 30, 2008 13:48:50	Well we do know a couple of things: 1. WOTC has designed a Ranger class feature that focuses on using animal companions, dubbed the "beastmaster". 2. The animal companions use your actions to move and attack in combat. 3. Each ranger's animal companion belongs to one of several different categories. Individual animals within the same category don't have different stats. 4. That there's an upper and lower limit on effects, damage, and bonuses in each tier that's been demonstrated. 5. Feats are used to customize your character, and that there's precedent for feats that improve class features. 6. A character who bonds with a companion lends itself fairly well to flanking tactics in combat. So with that in mind, I think it's pretty rational to think that "hey, perhaps WOTC is going to include feats that customize the Beastmaster's companion" and looking at the effects of similar feats in the same tier (and making sure they have comparable effects) is relatively easy. So with that in mind, and knowing that we can't know everything about this build (given that it's not out yet) do you think these feats sound cool and balanced? Because if WOTC doesn't make something like this I certainly will.
#6 ryukatana Oct 30, 2008 14:45:36	"That doesn't change the fact that we know nothing about whether or not WotC will make these feats and on top of that, we don't know the stats for the animal companions individually. So while some feats could be created, not much can really be thought out."
#7 awesome_dude Oct 30, 2008 19:13:02	Why do you quote yourself?
#8 johnthedm7000 Oct 30, 2008 21:52:59	I have no idea why he does it-but that's neither here nor there. I greatly respect your opinions awesome dude, so tell me: what do you think? Are they a good idea, are the feats I've created balanced, and do you have any additional ideas?
#9 awesome_dude Oct 30, 2008 23:10:36	I have no idea why he does it-but that's neither here nor there. I greatly respect your opinions awesome dude, so tell me: what do you think? Are they a good idea, are the feats I've created balanced, and do you have any additional ideas? Okay, but don't trust me too much, given that I don't have all the information on animal companions. I'll just try looking at them as I do normally with feats. I question the value of inflicting Filth Fever with a bite. Granted, it takes away a healing surge, but monsters don't tend to use those anyway. The stronger effects don't set in until after their next extended rest, which I doubt will happen unless you lose the fight. The second feat is something that I'd rather keep as a fluff ability. You know how some owners teach their pets (hilarious when it's dogs and cats; see YouTube) to mimic sounds? Sort of like that. Now, the Poisoned Bite feat I like. If you'd scale it from 1 point of damage at heroic tier to maybe 3 at paragon, and 5 at epic, you'd have a nice at will substitute for the store-bought kind (which deals more damage but in turn costs more money). The Intelligent Companion feat is sort of irrelevant because you control your companion's actions completely. The strongest utility is that if you send it on an errand, it's less likely to become confused (like buying spelt bread instead of whole wheat, that idiot). I'm mostly okay with Pack Tactics. It's a solid feat. Possibly a little too tempting, but I'll compare it to the newer feats (if any) when Martial Power comes out. I think the Natural Camouflage is a little too specific, but if you stay in the same terrain, it's pretty powerful. Basically an all-or-nothing type of deal. Personally, I think this is a bad idea, but that doesn't make it inherently so, and some people seem to like this design.
#10 johnthedm7000 Oct 31, 2008 0:13:24	Thank you so much for your feedback! To answer your concerns and criticisms: 1. The ability to induce filth fever is for hit and run attacks as well as punishing foes that run away, only to bother you later (most notably reoccurring villains). I do see your point though. Perhaps making it so that the feat inflicts something similar in flavor to filth fever but that has more short term consequences, as well as long term ones. Any suggestions? 2. I'd rather keep it as a feat, given that there's a precedent in the Gnoll feat Butcher's Lure in Dragon. Ghost Sound is a powerful ability-it's part of a class feature and has many out of combat and even in-combat uses for creative players. 3. You're right about Intelligent companion as is-I should of realized that. I should probably make the feat grant speech in a single language as well, so your spending a feat to gain something equivalent to an intelligent weapon-something you can confer with, as well as allowing it to serve as a very efficient scout that can tell you more than "there were lots of smelly two legs". 4. That's a good idea-I was thinking of it as a counterpart to weapon focus with the trade off that it's only usable once per encounter but in exchange has the potential to inflict more damage than weapon focus. Consider it changed! 5. Perhaps making it a paragon feat would balance it? Or would that nerf it too much? 6. My thoughts when thinking up the Natural Camoflague feat is that 4th edition, more than any other, favors changing around terrain, and therefore adventure locations. I think it's comparable to the Mounted Combat feat, in that there are some situations where you can't gain the benefit, but in those situations that you can it's a great benefit.