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Animal Companion Questions
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<blockquote data-quote="StreamOfTheSky" data-source="post: 5642182" data-attributes="member: 35909"><p>The problem is some DMs might be strict on what animals a ranger can choose, since the core book only listed a very limited (and weak) set. IMO, anything that came out since then should be fair game, but others disagree (notably, PF Society, in a shining example of epic fail, decreed for their games that Ranger will ALWAYS be limited just to the original list, no matter how many new animal options come out).</p><p></p><p>If you want a good companion, you should take the Boon Companion feat so it doesn't fall behind, though.</p><p></p><p>I think an animal companion can do fine, he doesn't need a familiar. Roc is solid for the bird that the OP says fits thematically. T-Rex at level 7 has the same str as a mastodon, improved grab, and double str bonus on his bite damage. The one I'm liking the most now is Giant Mantis, though. It's a vermin companion (introduced in Ultimate Magic as a new type of companion option). As such, its mindless (no Int score). Having an animal and scout that can't be mind controlled is sweet, though the downside is no skill ranks or feats and very few tricks (1 + bonus tricks). But the mantis has some very nice qualities. A land, fly, AND climb speed, darkvision, full attack on a surprise round (it gets +4 perception/stealth and another +8 stealth in forests), grab on both claws, free pincer secondary attack on anything grappled, the ability to attack once at +4 to hit and double normal reach (which is 10 ft for it!) as a full round action... Seems like a really good scout and combat pet to me, and I always liked the praying mantis anyway. Also, the monster entry fluff for it is freaking badass, makes me wish it had int so I could give it an intimidate chain of feats.</p></blockquote><p></p>
[QUOTE="StreamOfTheSky, post: 5642182, member: 35909"] The problem is some DMs might be strict on what animals a ranger can choose, since the core book only listed a very limited (and weak) set. IMO, anything that came out since then should be fair game, but others disagree (notably, PF Society, in a shining example of epic fail, decreed for their games that Ranger will ALWAYS be limited just to the original list, no matter how many new animal options come out). If you want a good companion, you should take the Boon Companion feat so it doesn't fall behind, though. I think an animal companion can do fine, he doesn't need a familiar. Roc is solid for the bird that the OP says fits thematically. T-Rex at level 7 has the same str as a mastodon, improved grab, and double str bonus on his bite damage. The one I'm liking the most now is Giant Mantis, though. It's a vermin companion (introduced in Ultimate Magic as a new type of companion option). As such, its mindless (no Int score). Having an animal and scout that can't be mind controlled is sweet, though the downside is no skill ranks or feats and very few tricks (1 + bonus tricks). But the mantis has some very nice qualities. A land, fly, AND climb speed, darkvision, full attack on a surprise round (it gets +4 perception/stealth and another +8 stealth in forests), grab on both claws, free pincer secondary attack on anything grappled, the ability to attack once at +4 to hit and double normal reach (which is 10 ft for it!) as a full round action... Seems like a really good scout and combat pet to me, and I always liked the praying mantis anyway. Also, the monster entry fluff for it is freaking badass, makes me wish it had int so I could give it an intimidate chain of feats. [/QUOTE]
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