Multiclassing hunter with ranger, rule questions


Rules Questions


- If i multiclass a hunter with a ranger, how does spellcasting works (access, duration, DC, etc)? Lets say hunter lvl 3 and ranger lvl 10 for example.

- If i start as a hunter and the take ranger lvl later on, does my effective druid lvl from the ranger animal companion applies to the AC i took when i first started as a hunter? From this line of the ACG i think it does but i have been told otherwise:

"The hunter's effective druid level is equal to her hunter level. If a character receives an animal companion from more than one source, her effective druid levels stack for the purposes of determining the companion's statistics and abilities."

I know theres is a FAQ that says it normally does not stack but the book was created after the FAQ and seems pretty clear. Also the FAQ might not take into account an hybrid class multiclassing into one of his parent class...

- Does the teamwork feat "Coordinated Charge" works when my animal companion pounce? Can i charge after he pounces?

- When an AC use pounce, if i understand correctly it uses all its primary natural attacks plus rake. If one of his primary attack hits, can he also use his grab ability?

Dark Archive

Spellcasting is separate and you would have spells available to a lvl3 hunter and its casting level and a ranger 10 with its casting level.

The animal companion levels stack, since the ability specifically states that they do.


Aside from the very stupid rule stating abilities don't stack with parent class abilities unless specifically stated, the Hunter and Ranger spell casting is very different. Even were you to ignore the "no stack rule," which I recommend, the abilities function so differently as to make stacking not possible.

If it is an issue for your table you can always consider house ruling it.


Bardez wrote:

Spellcasting is separate and you would have spells available to a lvl3 hunter and its casting level and a ranger 10 with its casting level.

The animal companion levels stack, since the ability specifically states that they do.

Thank you, exactly as i though!

What about the other questions concerning pounce/charge?

Grand Lodge

I think your pounce questions will become clear once you read the formal definition of Pounce.

PRD wrote:
Pounce (Ex) When a creature with this special attack makes a charge, it can make a full attack (including rake attacks if the creature also has the rake ability).

Pounce isn't its own action, it's a special attack that modifies the rules for charge. It does whatever it does when it makes a full attack, including any special ability that would modify an attack (such as grab).

Paizo Employee Design Manager

claudekennilol wrote:

I think your pounce questions will become clear once you read the formal definition of Pounce.

PRD wrote:
Pounce (Ex) When a creature with this special attack makes a charge, it can make a full attack (including rake attacks if the creature also has the rake ability).
Pounce isn't its own action, it's a special attack that modifies the rules for charge. It does whatever it does when it makes a full attack, including any special ability that would modify an attack (such as grab).

So yes, your animal companion can charge and pounce to trigger the Coordinated Charge feat, and if the AnC lands the appropriate attack, it can use its grab ability.


claudekennilol wrote:

I think your pounce questions will become clear once you read the formal definition of Pounce.

PRD wrote:
Pounce (Ex) When a creature with this special attack makes a charge, it can make a full attack (including rake attacks if the creature also has the rake ability).
Pounce isn't its own action, it's a special attack that modifies the rules for charge. It does whatever it does when it makes a full attack, including any special ability that would modify an attack (such as grab).

Wow, that is a really strong ability!


Just a note on animal companion level stacking, the companion must be a valid choice for both classes to have the levels stack. (FAQ here)


Calth wrote:
Just a note on animal companion level stacking, the companion must be a valid choice for both classes to have the levels stack. (FAQ here)

Why dont they mention that in the ACG? By RAW in the ACG there is no such a restriction... If i started as a ranger then took hunter lvl it would make sense but when i take my ranger lvl i already have my pet. And i have an effective druid lvl.


Thormind wrote:
Calth wrote:
Just a note on animal companion level stacking, the companion must be a valid choice for both classes to have the levels stack. (FAQ here)
Why dont they mention that in the ACG? By RAW in the ACG there is no such a restriction... If i started as a ranger then took hunter lvl it would make sense but when i take my ranger lvl i already have my pet. And i have an effective druid lvl.

Just because they didn't reprint a rule doesn't mean it doesn't apply. The general rule for animal companions from multiple classes is that the companion has to be valid for each class for levels to stack.


Calth wrote:
Just because they didn't reprint a rule doesn't mean it doesn't apply. The general rule for animal companions from multiple classes is that the companion has to be valid for each class for levels to stack.

How hard is it to write something like:

"The hunter's effective druid level is equal to her hunter level. If a character receives an animal companion from more than one source, and the companion he his using is also allowed by the other source, then her effective druid levels stack for the purposes of determining the companion's statistics and abilities."

It's a simple line that makes everything clear. The way it is written in the books and the PRD someone following the rules as written is allowed to stack even if the companion is not on both list. How many persons are aware of that FAQ? It's not that easy to reach nor is it really publicized...

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