I am a level 2 Druid on my first PFS character deciding how to level into level 3. My character idea is a Divine support/healing spellcaster with a "tanky" animal companion. I am not planning on focusing on full offensive spellcasting or Wild Shape combat.
If I am a druid with an animal companion, and cross-class into a Shaman and get a spirit animal (using familiar rules), would using both be acceptable for play in Society games?
The FAQ states:
"How many animals can I have at any given time?
During the course of a scenario, you may have one combat animal and as many noncombat animals as you like. Noncombat animals (ponies, horses, pet dogs, and so on) cannot participate in combat at all. If you have so many noncombat animals that their presence is slowing a session down, the GM has the right to ask you to select one noncombat animal and leave the rest behind. A summoner's eidolon is considered an animal companion for the purposes of counting combat and noncombat animals. If you have more than one class-granted animal companion (or eidolon), you must choose which will be considered the combat animal at the start of the scenario. In general, a mount, a familiar or mundane pet, and your class-granted animal(s) are acceptable, but more than that can be disruptive."
I am confused because familiars *can* participate in combat, but the final sentence mentions familiars and multiple class-granted animals as being acceptable.
I am interested in dipping three levels into Shaman because it supports my character's RP focus and I can make use of a Hex, an expanded spell-list, and a familiar that can deliver touch spells (cures, buffs, or debuffs). I want to make sure that familiar usage is within the rules and won't be disruptive for GMs or other players.
If the familiar is not acceptable to play alongside my Druid animal companion, I will likely not bother with Shaman. Are there other options for cross-classing that would support my character as a Divine/Support spellcaster with an animal companion, or should I just go full druid?
If the familiar is valid to have on the table, which of the following would be acceptable to do with a bird spirit animal?
Deliver Touch Spells
Aid Another in combat
Aid Another with skills
Set Up Flanking Bonus
Scouting / Perception usefulness
Venture-Lieutenant, Minnesota—Minneapolis
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You can only have one active combat animal at a time. The linked FAQ specifically covers the case of an animal companion and a familiar.
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I am a level 2 Druid on my first PFS character deciding how to level into level 3. My character idea is a Divine support/healing spellcaster with a "tanky" animal companion. I am not planning on focusing on full offensive spellcasting or Wild Shape combat.
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I am interested in dipping three levels into Shaman because it supports my character's RP focus and I can make use of a Hex, an expanded spell-list, and a familiar that can deliver touch spells (cures, buffs, or debuffs). I want to make sure that familiar usage is within the rules and won't be disruptive for GMs or other players.
Just to be clear, the three-level dip in Shaman would be fairly limiting. The spellcasting progresses on its own track, so you would get four 1st-level Shaman spells and two 2nd-level spells (plus bonus spells from Wisdom). Any Hex would be based on your Shaman level for effects, including DC. So an offensive Hex would top out around DC 16 (with Wisdom 20), while a Hex like Healing would stop at 1d8+3.
Your animal companion progression would take a three-level hit unless you took the Boon Companion Feat. Your Druid spellcasting would suffer (less so with Magical Knack, but that would have to have been taken at character creation or added with the Extra Traits Feat).
I have no idea if the Shaman familiar could be used to deliver Druid spells but I imagine a lot of GMs would say it can't.
You may have known all that already, but I thought it would be worth pointing out.
Thanks for the info!
The wording of the final sentence in the FAQ is confusing as written because it appears to use "familiar" in a completely different context than a class's familiar animal.
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Just one critter on the field, whether it's an Animal Companion, Familiar, Eidolon, or Battle Cattle.
Having more than one slows combats to a crawl.
Except that is not what the FAQ says.
If you have more than one class-granted animal companion (or eidolon), you must choose which will be considered the combat animal at the start of the scenario.
And then it clarifies with:
In general, a mount, a familiar or mundane pet, and your class-granted animal(s) are acceptable, but more than that can be disruptive.
So a familiar and an AC are OK together by the rules. Many people seem to misread this one, or read it as they want it to be.
So a spirit animal, functioning as a familiar, could take actions during combat but does not qualify as a "combat animal"?
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Per the FAQ, yes, it could take actions.
The issue Nefreet brought up is that it is bad form to clog up the map or slow down the game with too many pet actions, so use discretion.
So while it is the letter of the law that you can, I would strongly suggest asking your GM if he would rather you not do so.
So, while technically possible, to get the most use out of it, it can create hassles for the table (which isn't my intent).
Also, as redward mentioned, it would split character progression in half.
Based on this, it probably doesn't make much sense to do.
My main issue with my Druid right now is that I don't have many filler things to do other than taking out my club and whacking things, which isn't really in line with my concept for the character. I'm looking for more useful things to do without simply specializing in combat, which is why I was looking at the Shaman to begin with, since it would allow me to do things like deliver spells via the familiar, use Evil Eye, and unlock an expanded spell table.
In a standard PFS session, I use most of my level 1 spells to Magic Fang my companion for each combat encounter, and use a Wand of Cure Light Wounds as needed. Since I selected the animal companion rather than a Domain, I have less spells to play with.
Does anyone have any ideas or suggestions to diversify my character to support the party other than focusing on Wild Shape combat? I have no issues using Boon Companion and dipping elsewhere.
I would like to aid the party with buff spells, weaken enemies with debuff spells, and support healing with an animal companion that can contribute via combat maneuvers. I have a snapping turtle companion that does very little in damage output now, but will grow to large size and gain Grab at level 7, which has strategic value). With Boon companion, I have 4 levels of wiggle room for the turtle to be unaffected by cross-classing.
I am already investing in Disable Device and Perception skills to help adventuring.
My Druid has an identity crisis in combat. I really like the character, but feel like I don't contribute much to the group right now, especially if heals aren't in high demand.
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Healing is mostly done with wands of CLW in between combats. Blowing spell slots on it just doesn't work. Keep 1 or two up your sleve for emergencies, but its pretty rare that another spell wouldn't prevent more damage than you'd heal.
Like all spellcasters, druids start off with very limited options but get a lot better once they level up a bit and have some spare spells to throw around.
Summoned critters after level 1, and spells like flaming sphere , aqueous orb and call lightning give you something to do every round. If you have the animal archive you can give the pet the trip trick and have him draw an AoO and trip things. If he's wearing masterwork studded leather his ac and hard shell should be enough to let him do this.
Its expensive, but a wand of channel the gift can expand your number of spells per day immensely: generally a better buy than pearls of power after level 1.
I don't have Inner Sea Gods yet and wasn't aware of that spell. That's a great tip!
Venture-Lieutenant, Netherlands—Leiden
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Druids also have some decent other battlefield control spells, like Stone Call, Entangle and Sleet Storm. When you need it, Faerie Fire can turn an encounter around - especially against enemies that can become invisible at will.
They might not be 100% as good as a wizard, but in my experience full-on caster druids are much more uncommon, so you'll still be a breath of fresh air.
Also, spontaneous summoning is a seriously powerful ability. I've seen pregen druids turn encounters around with it.
I've decided to go full Druid and deal with a limited spells per day at this point. I picked up Believers Boon and a standard ability from it to help fill the gaps.
I appreciate the tips and info!
I assume a Pearl of Power can only be purchased if found on a Chronicle sheet?
Is the Runestone of Power in the Society Guide able to be purchased as long as I have enough Fame?
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I've decided to go full Druid and deal with a limited spells per day at this point. I picked up Believers Boon and a standard ability from it to help fill the gaps.
I appreciate the tips and info!
I assume a Pearl of Power can only be purchased if found on a Chronicle sheet?
Is the Runestone of Power in the Society Guide able to be purchased as long as I have enough Fame?
Purchases:
Is it always available? If yes, you can buy it.Is it on a Chronicle? If yes, you can buy it.
Do you have enough Fame to cover the total purchase cost of the item (see Guide to Organized Play)? If yes, you can buy it.
Bottom line, if you have 9 or more Fame accumulated you can buy a level 1 Pearl of Power.
A Runestone of Power can't be used by a Druid. It's for spontaneous casters only.
Wow, I was way off on my assumption on how to buy Magic items and how restrictive it was.
I was assuming that Fame restrictions apply to all items, and the only valid items to purchase were on Chronicle sheets or in the allowed lists (such as +1 weapons).
This helps.
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Just one critter on the field, whether it's an Animal Companion, Familiar, Eidolon, or Battle Cattle.
Having more than one slows combats to a crawl.
It CAN, but it doesn't have to. I played an undead lord who rose undead and focused on summoning. Even with 5-7 pieces in play my turns went faster than half the tables because I had every action planned in advanced. But for PFS its a good rule.
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My summoner's eidolon has a single attack. So with my summoner cowering and my one attack, my turn is often the fastest.
That's pretty rare for a summoner. In my experience, most eidolons have multiple attacks, even at low levels, plus the summoner does something most rounds, whether it's a real spell, cantrip, or just firing a crossbow.
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Sometimes I cast with him. But mostly cower. I can't hit anything at range, so I don't bother. I either buff, which doesn't require rolls, summon another critter (rare) or cower. Lots of withdraw actions.
My eidolon is a poor man's two handed fighter. Which means I do one big attack with power attack. Working out pretty well in season 6 actually. But it also saves everyone's time.
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My summoner's eidolon has a single attack. So with my summoner cowering and my one attack, my turn is often the fastest.That's pretty rare for a summoner. In my experience, most eidolons have multiple attacks, even at low levels, plus the summoner does something most rounds, whether it's a real spell, cantrip, or just firing a crossbow.
Depends on the kind of Eidolon. A bipedal who uses manufactured weapons I imagine only has one attack for many levels.