diablodevil2
2015-07-20, 11:07 AM
Heya!
So, I had an awkward conversation with my GM on this a while back, as we're planning on a new campaign sometime in the future. In the current one, I'm playing a pretty overpowered tome fighter/barbarian, and I think he's pretty regretful that I was allowed those classes (they're not allowed in the upcoming game). Basically, he's concerned that I'm a power gamer, and he's very discerning about the things I ask for.
In the new game, I'm trying to stick to very close to core, basic rules, so that I'm not overpowered, and don't raise his concerns. My race is a custom one, but it's one he designed, so it's not all that crazy.
Kaori Attributes: +2 Strength, +4 Constitution, +2 Charisma, −4 Dexterity, −2 Intelligence
Type: Humanoid (Bovine)
Size: Medium
Speed: Base land speed for a Kaori is 30 feet.
Pack Mule: Kaori have large builds and heavy constitutions, enabled by carrying large resources around nigh constantly. The detriments of medium and heavy loads are each treated as if they were one load size lower.
Semi-foreign: Kaori are much more docile than the Kerani, and possess the capability to aptly pass an erred statement off as something inconsequentially vague, as if it were some foreign expression from a Kerani. This allows them to re-roll any Diplomacy, Bluff, or Intimidation check, once per day, if failed.
Automatic Languages: Common, Kerani. Bonus Languages: Any.
Favored Class: Druid, Cleric]
Anywho, I'm going to play a Druid, and when I was first looking at feats, I saw Natural Bond and was pretty into the idea.
As I understand it, it basically makes your later animal companions better. Like, when you hit level 4, you can get one of those that's at a 0 adjustment instead of a -3, or when you hit level 7, you can get a companion at a -3 adjustment as opposed to -6. What it does -not- do is allow you to get companions earlier, like a level of Beastmaster would (as I understand it, anyway).
However, he's adamant that NB is -only- for multiclassed, or Ranger-style classes. In that, he's saying it's only for offsetting the extra negative levels that they get for AC's.
His reasoning is that it states that it can't raise a druid's level above their character/player level. Whereas as I understand it, that only applies to the 'effective' level for companions above 4th level.
So, I guess my question is kind of 3-fold;
Which would be correct? Official ruling sources would be great.
Have any GM's found this to be overpowered? From what I hear in general, Druids are kinda strong to start with.
And if I can't use NB this way, is it worth taking a level of Beastmaster instead? That Skill Focus feat just feels like a kick in the gut to take that. You know, in addition to losing a level of Druid, slowing down my spells and wild shape. But, it would give me extra reflex. In short, I'm a little torn.
Thanks a bunch for your advice!
So, I had an awkward conversation with my GM on this a while back, as we're planning on a new campaign sometime in the future. In the current one, I'm playing a pretty overpowered tome fighter/barbarian, and I think he's pretty regretful that I was allowed those classes (they're not allowed in the upcoming game). Basically, he's concerned that I'm a power gamer, and he's very discerning about the things I ask for.
In the new game, I'm trying to stick to very close to core, basic rules, so that I'm not overpowered, and don't raise his concerns. My race is a custom one, but it's one he designed, so it's not all that crazy.
Kaori Attributes: +2 Strength, +4 Constitution, +2 Charisma, −4 Dexterity, −2 Intelligence
Type: Humanoid (Bovine)
Size: Medium
Speed: Base land speed for a Kaori is 30 feet.
Pack Mule: Kaori have large builds and heavy constitutions, enabled by carrying large resources around nigh constantly. The detriments of medium and heavy loads are each treated as if they were one load size lower.
Semi-foreign: Kaori are much more docile than the Kerani, and possess the capability to aptly pass an erred statement off as something inconsequentially vague, as if it were some foreign expression from a Kerani. This allows them to re-roll any Diplomacy, Bluff, or Intimidation check, once per day, if failed.
Automatic Languages: Common, Kerani. Bonus Languages: Any.
Favored Class: Druid, Cleric]
Anywho, I'm going to play a Druid, and when I was first looking at feats, I saw Natural Bond and was pretty into the idea.
As I understand it, it basically makes your later animal companions better. Like, when you hit level 4, you can get one of those that's at a 0 adjustment instead of a -3, or when you hit level 7, you can get a companion at a -3 adjustment as opposed to -6. What it does -not- do is allow you to get companions earlier, like a level of Beastmaster would (as I understand it, anyway).
However, he's adamant that NB is -only- for multiclassed, or Ranger-style classes. In that, he's saying it's only for offsetting the extra negative levels that they get for AC's.
His reasoning is that it states that it can't raise a druid's level above their character/player level. Whereas as I understand it, that only applies to the 'effective' level for companions above 4th level.
So, I guess my question is kind of 3-fold;
Which would be correct? Official ruling sources would be great.
Have any GM's found this to be overpowered? From what I hear in general, Druids are kinda strong to start with.
And if I can't use NB this way, is it worth taking a level of Beastmaster instead? That Skill Focus feat just feels like a kick in the gut to take that. You know, in addition to losing a level of Druid, slowing down my spells and wild shape. But, it would give me extra reflex. In short, I'm a little torn.
Thanks a bunch for your advice!