Animal Companion / Familiar Death

[Blackthorn51]

I was under the impression that if a characters animal companion or familiar dies, the PC loses 200xp.

This may be a bug then, because my bear died 1 time and instead of charging me 200, it charged me 700.  

Did the Gnoll quest and from the entire thing, I went from owing 700 to owing 360.  Meaning I got 0 positive xp from the quest.  Is this how its supposed to be, or is it a bug?

[The Gypsy Champion]

There was a recent change regarding how Animal Companion XP works, I do believe the Xp hit has become larger (Due to the intimate, mental connection and resulting anguish you experience if the animal dies), however, this is Mort's province, since he did mention committing to a change.

[Blackthorn51]

Given how easily animal companions/familiars die (usually 1 -2 hits) doesnt 700 seem a bit extensive?  Thats like ...  3-4 quests.  200-400 seems more appropriate, no?

[Valo56]

It's been like this for a while, I'm pretty sure it's a bug. It's always been documented as Familiars giving a 100xp hit and Animal Companions giving a 200xp hit. If it is supposed to be a massive hit to XP, well.. I don't imagine we'll see many animal companions ever again, beyond idle RP purposes, or at very low levels where the XP hit isn't as bad. It certainly won't make people go with anything other than the most powerful animal companions, if they intend on actually using them (do you really want a little rat at your side, if you're gonna lose 700xp when it inevitably dies?).

If it is intentional that it isn't 200, I would suggest 50xp per level, rather than 100. A powerful druid losing his likely more powerful link to his animal companion would likely be a bigger hit to him than a lesser druid. Though in D&D, wizards and sorcerers who lost their companion made a saving through vs the event to lessen the XP loss, perhaps that could be implemented here?

[Ebok]

Having the exp raise at higher levels is counter intuitive, or perhaps doubly expensive. Exp becomes more expensive naturally as you level up, its part of efu's design.

[Blackthorn51]

Well that's a bummer if it was a bug.  My familiar has died twice since I hit level 7 Ranger.  In these two companion deaths, it put my PC at -1400 xp.  

Since then, I have done the Gnoll quest twice, the hobgoblin quest twice and the Troll quest once.  As we'll I've spent a few hours just exploring for the random xp from it.  After all of this, I am currently at -13xp.

So after 5 Quests and Exploring, my PC hasn't seen a single point of positive experience, which leaves a defeated feeling.

Also, since the first companion death I have not received a single dose of progression xp even though I've spent approx. 6-8 hours actively in game (and not afk).

--------------------------

I use a brown bear companion, which is admittedly rather beast.  But even so, its like a glass tank.  2 Orcs can more or less pwn it.  It only takes 2-3 solid hits to utterly kill it.  Given how easily it can die, I honestly feel that -700xp is way too high.

[A Case Of Rapiers]

Progression XPs stops at 6th level, so you wouldn't be getting it.

[Talir]

That you need to regain a set amount of XP is not a bug. Whether the numbers are appropriate can be debated but we'll see.

Animal Companions are 24h beasts that you can buff, heal and otherwise rampage against enemy forces alongside. They are stronger than what most here give them credit for.

It's more or less an art learning how to control them and can be very rewarding and supportive for your character when done neatly, tipping your survival chance in any encounter.

[Parasitic Paradise]

All the animal companions have strength and weaknesses. Did you know your bear could stealth?
 
Simply type the command "/c stealth a" and it will become hidden according to it's hide/ms.
 
You can feed them potions of mage armor, barkskin, cats grace, and give them terrifying AC and damage potential.
 
It's as Talir says, learn to use them, and keep an eye on their HP bar. Otherwise, they are extremely potent companions that can not only kill Mist Ogres (There was a certain gnome druid whose badger took down three) but can ruin questing groups who harbor a person you wish to assault.
 
The XP penalty for loosing them is well worth it.

[Blackthorn51]

Good to know progression stops at 6.  This, I was not aware of.

The potential bug isn't having to make up x amount of XP if the companion dies -- That much makes perfect sense.  

Rather, I am questioning the value of X.  I think -700 is a tad high, even given the new information I was provided with concerning Companions.  

Also..  Thats awesome that the bear can stealth and use potions.  I knew about Mage Armor, but didnt know about the other stuff.  That does indeed help!  Still though...  If Familiars are -200.  Perhaps Animal Companions (given they are stronger) should be -400?

[Mort]

Familiars are 50xp/level, while animal companion are 100xp/level. This seems appropriate at the time and can be adjusted in the future.

It's less rough than the alternative that if your animal companion dies, it dies for good. -- I'm still adamant that you should roleplay doing EVERYTHING in your power to keeping him/her alive and not just using him as a disposable summon, the penalty reflects that.