Animal companions with swim speed that aren't crippled on land?

[SangoProduction]

There are 3 parts.

First: Is there a way to get an animal companion with Swim speed that can still function well enough on land, without spells?

Second: Are there spells (preferably long term) that could grant an animal companion swim speed if they didn't have any?

Third: Are there spells (preferably long term) that could grant an animal companion with swim speed, ability to function on land?
3.5: Is there a way to allow shark companions to use wands strapped on their heads?

[Palanan]

Originally Posted by SangoProduction
First: Is there a way to get an animal companion with Swim speed that can still function well enough on land, without spells?

In one campaign I had a druid with an otter companion. They're decently fast swimmers and perfectly capable of moving on land. I've also had druids who could wildshape into otters.

That said, the otters were homebrew, and I don't know if you're strictly tied to 3.5 material.

[Technetium43]

Yes. Polar Bears, Crocodiles, Giant Crocodiles, Monitor Lizards, Giant Octopi, Snakes, and Elasmosaurus animal companions all have both land and swim speeds.

[gorfnab]

There are 3 parts.
First: Is there a way to get an animal companion with Swim speed that can still function well enough on land, without spells?

Snakes, Crocodiles, and Polar Bears have okay lands speeds and decent swim speeds.

Edit: Ninja'd



Second: Are there spells (preferably long term) that could grant an animal companion swim speed if they didn't have any?

Heart of Water (CM)
Cloak of the Sea (SpC)



Third: Are there spells (preferably long term) that could grant an animal companion with swim speed, ability to function on land?

Fins to Feet (SW) + Air Breathing (CoR)



3.5: Is there a way to allow shark companions to use wands strapped on their heads?


You know, I have one simple request. And that is to have sharks with f*****n' laser beams attached to their heads!
http://www.smarterwebstrategies.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/03/dr-evil.jpg

[SangoProduction]

Snakes, Crocodiles, and Polar Bears have okay lands speeds and decent swim speeds.

Edit: Ninja'd


Heart of Water (CM)
Cloak of the Sea (SpC)


Fins to Feet (SW) + Air Breathing (CoR)



You know, I have one simple request. And that is to have sharks with f*****n' laser beams attached to their heads!
http://www.smarterwebstrategies.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/03/dr-evil.jpg


Very nice.

[Celestia]

Yes. Polar Bears, Crocodiles, Giant Crocodiles, Monitor Lizards, Giant Octopi, Snakes, and Elasmosaurus animal companions all have both land and swim speeds.
Octopuses are actually limited by not being amphibious. And since they have no hold breath ability, they can only be out of the water for mere rounds before they start suffocating.

[ShurikVch]

Feat: Monstrous Animal Companion (Dragon #326) allow to take 8-headed Hydra (http://www.d20srd.org/srd/monsters/hydra.htm) at 15th level, and Adult Tojanida (http://www.d20srd.org/srd/monsters/tojanida.htm) - at 9th

[Darrin]

First: Is there a way to get an animal companion with Swim speed that can still function well enough on land, without spells?


Train it as a Warbeast (MM2). This will increase it's land speed by +10'.

There are several soulmelds that can increase your speed, and the Share Soulmeld feat can give the effects of those soulmelds to your animal companion.



Second: Are there spells (preferably long term) that could grant an animal companion swim speed if they didn't have any?


Soulmeld would also work there. Lesser Crystal of Aquatic Action (1000 GP, MIC) applied to magic armor with at least a +1 enhancement would work. If the creature can wear guantlets, Finned Gauntlets (3500 GP, MIC).

Most animals could wear a Pearl of the Sirines (15300 GP, DMG).



Third: Are there spells (preferably long term) that could grant an animal companion with swim speed, ability to function on land?


Fins to feet (Spell Compendium). As per Savage Species p. 60, it is eligible for permanency. As a 2nd level spell, recommended cost for a continuous item (Belt of Landwalking, let's say) would be 12000 GP.



3.5: Is there a way to allow shark companions to use wands strapped on their heads?

Opposable weapon and/or shield (+1 enhancement, Masters of the Wild) with a wand chamber (100 GP, Dungeonscape) should work, although that isn't necessarily strapped to the head. Adding an arm graft or maybe something with girallon arms could give the shark some manipulative appendages.

Oh. Duh. Mighty Arms Graft (1000 GP, Faiths of Eberron) + Wand Sheath (4000 GP, ECS). Heavy Legs graft (6000 GP, Faiths of Eberron) could also solve the walking on land problem.

[SangoProduction]

Train it as a Warbeast (MM2). This will increase it's land speed by +10'.

There are several soulmelds that can increase your speed, and the Share Soulmeld feat can give the effects of those soulmelds to your animal companion.



Soulmeld would also work there. Lesser Crystal of Aquatic Action (1000 GP, MIC) applied to magic armor with at least a +1 enhancement would work. If the creature can wear guantlets, Finned Gauntlets (3500 GP, MIC).

Most animals could wear a Pearl of the Sirines (15300 GP, DMG).



Fins to feet (Spell Compendium). As per Savage Species p. 60, it is eligible for permanency. As a 2nd level spell, recommended cost for a continuous item (Belt of Landwalking, let's say) would be 12000 GP.



Opposable weapon and/or shield (+1 enhancement, Masters of the Wild) with a wand chamber (100 GP, Dungeonscape) should work, although that isn't necessarily strapped to the head. Adding an arm graft or maybe something with girallon arms could give the shark some manipulative appendages.

Oh. Duh. Mighty Arms Graft (1000 GP, Faiths of Eberron) + Wand Sheath (4000 GP, ECS). Heavy Legs graft (6000 GP, Faiths of Eberron) could also solve the walking on land problem.

Awesome post. Love it.

[Kantolin]

If you can make your animal companion also your familiar (The Wizard/Druid arcane) it will share your skill ranks, so if /you/ then have use magic device so will your companion.