SangoProduction
2015-12-21, 04:04 AM
Yes, it's not tier 1. Yes, it's 3rd edition. Doesn't mean I don't want to optimize around that.
So, first off, what do I take for my first 7 levels? (since it's requiring 10 ranks of animal empathy [handle animal]). Druid would obviously be the entry class, but what are some other prestige classes work well with mass animal companions? (Full casters are preferred, as they improve spell caster level, which improves tamer of beast's animal mastery.)
What are some notable mass-buffs that druids have access to? What are ways to improve effective level for animal companions and effective spell caster level? I think there are some feats out there, but I can't remember them. I think the animal companion one is specifically "increased druid level", which wouldn't affect animal mastery, as it's specifically "spell caster level for animal friendship."
Beast Heart Adept seems to fit the concept....but it doesn't...like...increase my caster level, and thus doesn't improve my animal mastery. It also explicitly does not stack with animal companion. And if we are just going to dip in for 3 levels, that monster companion won't be much use.
What are some good animal companions? Clearly the first one would use up to my HD in HD, and be the primary fighter/thingy, but what are some good utility pets? Stealth and perception-based pets would probably be quite useful with Animal Senses...although by the time you're level 11 to get it, there will be much better options for divination, it would seem to be useful as it doesn't take spell slots. (Again, not optimized compared to other classes, just within itself.)
I will probably take the Wild Cohort feat just because. I might even take the Dragon Cohort later on. (I mean, they are just smarter beasts, right?)
And is there anything else I need to consider for this build?
So, first off, what do I take for my first 7 levels? (since it's requiring 10 ranks of animal empathy [handle animal]). Druid would obviously be the entry class, but what are some other prestige classes work well with mass animal companions? (Full casters are preferred, as they improve spell caster level, which improves tamer of beast's animal mastery.)
What are some notable mass-buffs that druids have access to? What are ways to improve effective level for animal companions and effective spell caster level? I think there are some feats out there, but I can't remember them. I think the animal companion one is specifically "increased druid level", which wouldn't affect animal mastery, as it's specifically "spell caster level for animal friendship."
Beast Heart Adept seems to fit the concept....but it doesn't...like...increase my caster level, and thus doesn't improve my animal mastery. It also explicitly does not stack with animal companion. And if we are just going to dip in for 3 levels, that monster companion won't be much use.
What are some good animal companions? Clearly the first one would use up to my HD in HD, and be the primary fighter/thingy, but what are some good utility pets? Stealth and perception-based pets would probably be quite useful with Animal Senses...although by the time you're level 11 to get it, there will be much better options for divination, it would seem to be useful as it doesn't take spell slots. (Again, not optimized compared to other classes, just within itself.)
I will probably take the Wild Cohort feat just because. I might even take the Dragon Cohort later on. (I mean, they are just smarter beasts, right?)
And is there anything else I need to consider for this build?