Post/Author/DateTime	Post
#1 kingdave101 May 18, 2013 22:43:16	Hey, so everyone in my group is brand new to D&D including the DM. I originally created a Bard, but wanted to have a bigger role in combat, so I decided to switch to a Druid, and since everyone was already level 6, I just created a level 6 Druid.  I decided to go with an Ape as my animal companion. I've read there are better companions, but we are only playing with the core book. I look at the full attack for the Ape and I see this: 2 claws +7 melee (1d6+5) and bite +2 melee (1d6+2). Does that essentially mean: (1d6+5)+(1d6+5)+7+(1d6+2)+2? So basically a full attack from an Ape can do anywhere from 24-39 damage? If that is the case, it seems really really powerful. Like, even more powerful than the strongest melee guy in our group.   My Wisdom is also high enough so I get 3 level 3 Druid spells per day. My 2 of my feats are extend spell and augument summon. So does that mean I can summon an additional 3, even more powerful, Apes using my all 3 of my level 3 spells on Summon Natures Ally III? I tried searching online for the answers, but couldn't find anything. Am I doing something wrong or is my party just way underpowered?
#2 foxfireinferno May 18, 2013 23:02:06	The +7 and the +2 are the attack bonuses, not damage bonuses. So, if the ape full-attacks, you roll ... d20+7, if it hits, you deal 1d6+5 damage d20+7, if it hits, you deal 1d6+5 damage d20+2, if it hits, you deal 1d6+2 damage The ape is going to be more powerful than your best melee guy in all likelihood, though.  The druid is a very, very powerful (many will say 'broken') class. Since 'Ape' is on the list of monsters for Summon Nature's Ally 3, then yes, you can summon more Apes.  Note that your Animal Companion ape gets special benefits as you level up, as described in the druid class ... the summoned Apes will not have these.
#3 kingdave101 May 18, 2013 23:05:32	Thanks for the help and the quick reply!