Results 1 to 8 of 8
Thread: Animal Companion
-
2011-02-07, 03:22 AM (ISO 8601)
- Join Date
- Feb 2009
Animal Companion
Is there anything barring the Druid from picking an Advanced HD version of the animal for Animal Companion?
They're still pretty typical, just older, thus grown more?
For example, the ape, can grow up to 8HD. Why not pick the 8HD ape, rather than the 4HD ape?
-
2011-02-07, 03:34 AM (ISO 8601)
- Join Date
- Oct 2009
- Location
- Elsewhen
- Gender
Re: Animal Companion
The SRD says that, "A 1st-level druid’s companion is completely typical for its kind except as noted below."
You can try and argue with your DM that a 2nd level druid should not have to match this description, but the intention of the authors is rather obvious. An animal companion is to start as a typical example of its species as noted in the MM and then progress as shown on the Animal Companion table.
-
2011-02-07, 03:37 AM (ISO 8601)
- Join Date
- Feb 2009
Re: Animal Companion
Yes, but isn't the 8HD ape also typical? The 4HD one is merely the smallest adult animal of the type.
Yeah, the 8HD one is older and all, but it is still pretty normal.
-
2011-02-07, 03:43 AM (ISO 8601)
- Join Date
- Jun 2010
- Location
- Lima, Peru
- Gender
Re: Animal Companion
But could you advance it (perhaps even in size) if it gets enough bonus HD from the animal companion table?
-
2011-02-07, 03:48 AM (ISO 8601)
- Join Date
- Feb 2009
Re: Animal Companion
No. Bonus HD is different. They do not grow in size from Bonus HD, but gaining more Animal HD grows in size.
I assume gaining more Racial HD is like dragons, get older.
-
2011-02-07, 03:51 AM (ISO 8601)
- Join Date
- Oct 2009
- Location
- Elsewhen
- Gender
Re: Animal Companion
No, the 4HD example is a typical creature of its kind. An advanced Ape with increased hit die would be atypical.
The SRD states that, "Each of the monster entries describes a typical creature of its kind." It then goes on to mention the ways in which a creature could be more powerful than a typical example of its kind. The second example explains creatures with Increased Hit Dice as usually superior to their run-of-the-mill fellows.
~
Also, as stated in the 3.5e FAQ, no Animal Companion increase in size due to Bonus HD from being a Druid Animal Companion.Last edited by HunterOfJello; 2011-02-07 at 03:53 AM.
-
2011-02-07, 05:12 AM (ISO 8601)
- Join Date
- Feb 2009
Re: Animal Companion
Ok, got it.
-
2011-02-07, 06:55 AM (ISO 8601)
- Join Date
- Feb 2010