Animal Companions

[Meldread]

There is a thread about wizard familiars, but not one about animal companions.  So, I'm throwing this up here with some suggestions.

First, I have to say - monsters on EfU: A seem to be a lot tougher than on EfU.  They seem to do a great deal more damage.  As a result familiars seem to be getting a bit of a boost in power, and I think Animal Companions, especially since they're designed to be aids in combat, should receive a boost as well.

Here is the list:

1.  Lion (TN) - No casting / Good Stealth / Good Combat (powerful attacks & Agile)

2.  Leopard (TN) - Cast Cat's Grace / Good Stealth / Moderate Combat

3.  Wolf (TN) - Cast Owl's Wisdom / Moderate Stealth / Moderate Combat

4.  Black Bear (TN) - No casting / No Stealth / Good Combat (powerful attacks & lots of HP)

5.  Cave Rat (TN) - Remove Disease / Good Stealth / Poor Combat (Disease Attack)

6.  Boar (TN) - Bull's Strength / No Stealth / Moderate Combat (Lot's of HP)

7.  Spitting Cobra (TN) - Cast Neutralize Poison / Moderate Stealth / Poor Combat (Poison Bolt Attack)

8.  Giant Spider (TN) - No Casting / Good Stealth / Moderate Combat (Poison Attack)

9.  Jaguar (TN) - Cast Camouflage / Good Stealth / Moderate Combat

Alright, I've tried to keep them fairly balanced, setting appropriate and varied enough for PC's to use.

Upfront the two "combat" Companions would be the Lion and the Black Bear.  Black Bears would have powerful attacks, and a large amount of HP's to withstand blows.  Lions would also have slightly-less powerful attacks and a higher AC (due to Dex).  

The Spitting Cobra and the Cave Rat would be the weakest in combat, but each have a special attack and the ability to cast a beneficial spell.  The Cobra's advantage over the Spider's poison attack is that it can do it at range.   The Spider, while not much better, has better stealth and more HP.

Ultimately, in an animal companion I'd like to see each of them being appealing either utility or combat wise.  I want someone to look over the companion list and find a use in each one of them.

[Howlando]

I welcome discussion but companions (which can't be possessed anyway) won't be casting spells.

[dragonfire9000]

Hmm... beef up their combat then. *nods sagely*

The animals sound really great though. However, I would love to see some water-based ones, or perhaps amphibious?

Giant crab plzthnksbye!

[White Cross]

Why so many felines?

I think Lion doesn't fit an Island environment, but I could be wrong. I think leopards and tigers would fit better.

The bear and boar could give place to something different, like a lizard, monkey or even the swarm of bees that was suggested in another thread.

A sea companion would be neat as well, like the shark that was suggested.

[Sr.N]

I welcome discussion but companions (which can't be possessed anyway) won't be casting spells.

I'm pretty sure you can request a spell being casted on you if you use henchmen scripts.

Unless that solution is not desired, it could be done that way, just requires a lot of work!

[Nightshadow]

It sucks how you can't possess animal companions, it'd be great to send out a companion to scout out a place. Anyway, here is my companion suggestion:

Dire Bat: Cast Vampiric Touch/Average Stealth/Average Combat

[RIPnogarD]

I think the basic NwN list is cool save lose the bore and add falcon or seagull;
Badger: Rage, high attack bonus, high AC, low damage
Wolf: Knockdown attacks, average HP, average AC
Brown Bear: High damage, high HP
Falcon (or Seagull): High AC (small size and speed), low HP, low damage, (some type of bonus to PC’s vision or tracking?)
Giant spider: Low HP, high damage, poison attack (1d6 str)
Panther: Stealth specialist, sneak attack (1d6 dam)/(only x1)

I know this is only a few but my next suggestion is that this is only the basic set of animal companions. From here either set it up as app for special companions  (maybe even a mountable one) or perhaps make an Improved Companion Feat that grants access to a list of slightly better than the base list but it will cost you a feat slot to get them.

This would be where you find things like lions and spitting cobras.

To keep it from being taken at 1st or 2nd level and being broken add one or more prerequisites to obtain this feat.

Improved Animal Companion
+6 animal empathy, able to cast 2nd (or 3rd depending on how cool you want to make the extra animals) level divine (druid) spells
This feat adds (selected number) new animal companions to chose from when you progress in druid or ranger levels.

Of course then you would have to mechanically get this feat to work and I’m unsure if it is even possible, but it’s a thought.

[MyraTorrens]

Leopard really should be in there.

[Hammerfist0]

A quick recommendation:

Shark- No spells, Water only (Dies if spawned on land), Good combat

Id love to see use of water.

[RIPnogarD]

The Cooshee, (or elven hound)
Prereq: Elf druid or ranger only
Average HP, average AC, average damage
Abilities: Stealth specialist and knockdown (or replace knockdown with called shot)

(See this link)

[Thomas_Not_very_wise]

Boa Constrictor- On hit Hold Monster. DC 12. Low Damage, High Hp, low AB.

[The Crimson Magician]

I really don't care too much for animal companions and stealth. Never seemed to work that well, if it did at all >_>

[Dilandau Kale]

Keep cave prowler I say (always been my favorite)

[derfo]

dog: big damage, bark a lot

[erglion]

I was wondering what the current state is with animal companions, and if there are still plans to change them?