i play a cleric, starting lvl 12.
i know what i made isn't the "best" cleric but it seem VERY versatile and fun .
2 known Dm's call:
1) eldritch heritage, sylvan will allow a animal companion (AC).
2) gods \ domains are among the list he gave.
3) apes are the only animal that can, with int of 3, hold and use weapons.
with my feats (see below) i already have improve comapnion (lyrken azata) that double my actions each round with scrolls.
now i also want a companion with boon companion.
my build::
domains = trade (allowing me to fly all the time, and D-door).
heroism (heroism aura + the lvl 1 power is amking me super face).
feats :
1-power attack,
2-toughness,
5-weapon prof. (something big.)
8 - ??? (maybe a shield? )
10 - lunge
(possible, take armor light+armor medium)
why yes?
1) learn to wield a weapon + lunge = 5-25 reach, with power attack can penetrate DR (large size +3 weapon.)
2) reach = keeping it safe and out of harm .
3) it can still full claw-claw-bite if needed.
why not?
1) apes have no special attacks.
2) apes are low on armor and HP (low starting CON).
why yes?
1) trip and stuns are both nice
2) those animals are more "allowed" in cities
3) wolf is balance of hp and armor, ankylo is low hp huge armor.
why not?
1) noting too special.
2) trip is futile mostly.
or.... any other suggestions?
divine favor + heroism aura + shield of faith = a good battle partner.
more traits can be taken with the AC for +1 more from buffs & +1 CMB
The only way to add a fully leveled companion would be with Nature Soul -> Animal Ally -> Boon Companion. Or just taking the Animal Domain if it's available to you.
The best Animal Companions are the Allosaurus, Deinonychus, Roc, and Velociraptor. Tiger is close behind. Then the one big hit stuff like the T-Rex and several other megafauna creatures.
Regardless, though, none of them can take Power Attack as their first feat, it has to be their second, because animals do not have full BAB.
The only way to add a fully leveled companion would be with Nature Soul -> Animal Ally -> Boon Companion. Or just taking the Animal Domain if it's available to you.
The best Animal Companions are the Allosaurus, Deinonychus, Roc, and Velociraptor. Tiger is close behind. Then the one big hit stuff like the T-Rex and several other megafauna creatures.
Regardless, though, none of them can take Power Attack as their first feat, it has to be their second, because animals do not have full BAB.
Since power att and toughness are always lvl 1&2 i will switch.
Why cant i take it twice ? Where it say so?
Roc, is nice as it fly, but con 9 worry me.
Velociraptor has low str . he is a killer vs non dr foe, but dr of 10 shuts it .
Allosaurous is indeed a beast.
But better than a ape with large reach weapon with greater magic weapon?
One att creatures recieve extra attack with multi attack.
Mmm...
Than nature ally it is...
So, back to tipic,
Which one?
What is a good combination of damage, maneuvers, tanking while still able to stay alive (armor, reach. Hp)
Animal Ally has a limited set of available animals: badger, bird, camel, cat (small), dire rat, dog, horse, pony, snake (viper), or wolf.
Camel is good for a mount and for the spit. Small cat is better than wolf for a trip build imo. Dire Rat and Bird are good for utility due to movement modes.
So... Here is the question. What role do you see the animal playing in your play? Are you looking for a combat monster? Something flavorful with high mobility? It looks like you are seeking mainly melee, but I think that flavor and personality should also have a lot to do with your choices.
You'll be pretty high level. Are you more of a melee cleric (indicated by power attack) or a caster-type cleric (indicated by the fact that you took no other fighting feats?) At this level, spells tend to take over fighting for clerics, but I'm curious at to your focus here.
Who is your deity? Sacred Summons is sweetest with LG or CG deities, due to the whole having to have your summons match your deities alignment to get that sacred summoning.
Yep, all those things above are helpful to determine your optimal Animal Companion. You can build your animal companion several different ways, depending on what you want it to do. Some possible roles it could fill:
Bodyguard (with or without the actual Bodyguard archetype)
Pouncer (great at low levels, not so much at 11 HD)
Flank Buddy
Scout
So... Here is the question. What role do you see the animal playing in your play? Are you looking for a combat monster? Something flavorful with high mobility? It looks like you are seeking mainly melee, but I think that flavor and personality should also have a lot to do with your choices.
You'll be pretty high level. Are you more of a melee cleric (indicated by power attack) or a caster-type cleric (indicated by the fact that you took no other fighting feats?) At this level, spells tend to take over fighting for clerics, but I'm curious at to your focus here.
Who is your deity? Sacred Summons is sweetest with LG or CG deities, due to the whole having to have your summons match your deities alignment to get that sacred summoning.
Hmm
thank for the tips.
ranking what i am after :
1) something that will stay alive (hence, need reach\hp\armor).
2) something that can contribute frontal melle, either by damage or by maneuvers like grab,trip grt bull rush etc.
3) a form that is "common" is better than spooky form. a trex aint allowed in our game into cities, while a tiger or dire wolf is. simply because it is a fantasy world, so some animals walk the streets .
i am a caster > melee. power attack is there because spells sometimes run out. so plan B is nice. also, when battle is nearly done, its a shame to waste spells and i join the fray.
i follow a god of the DM close to Milani. we are both CG.
If you have more than one companion you risk, besides being annoying to the team, than you spend a large part of the fights buffing your companions too a level of competance where they can do somthing usefull. After level 12 ACs time in the spot ligth is over, IMOP, and a AC need Spell support to be worth it at that level.
I suggest that you focus on getting nr 1 in battle shape or even get agument summoning instead of getting a AC.
Yep, all those things above are helpful to determine your optimal Animal Companion. You can build your animal companion several different ways, depending on what you want it to do. Some possible roles it could fill:
Bodyguard (with or without the actual Bodyguard archetype)
Pouncer (great at low levels, not so much at 11 HD)
Flank Buddy
Scout
pouncer is great but DM will kill it at our levels. too much damage and little reach.
i prefer a great combatant, that will stay alive and feel like it is doing something. not top the DPR, but rather shut 1 foe and defend me while i walk back to cast spells.
as for the link, i checked it and dont get it.
how raptor top the damage? in a bubble maybe. a simple DR of 10 shut it totally. no reach keep it in the monster's face.
so, narrowing down options :
1) ape for using reach attacks (keeping it very safe afar) and combo of multi attacks, climb and a single DR penetrate attack.
2) stegosaurus \ ankylosaurus for reach and trip\stuns combos.
3) roc : a flyer that can grab. flyby attacks + lunge = out or reach although low CON.
4) maybe a raptor\allosaurus. just because it looks amazing.
what would you take ? i do posses a hosteling armor to keep it at bay in cities.
what 3 feats to take (after toughness and power attack).?
feat combos can allow:
greater grapple (3 feats)
greater bull rush + 1 imp natural weapon (mastering AOO)
traits (loved the tip! fate's favor + armor expert for the win! ) & 2 more.
If you have more than one companion you risk, besides being annoying to the team, than you spend a large part of the fights buffing your companions too a level of competance where they can do somthing usefull. After level 12 ACs time in the spot ligth is over, IMOP, and a AC need Spell support to be worth it at that level.
I suggest that you focus on getting nr 1 in battle shape or even get agument summoning instead of getting a AC.
was thinking in it. but summoning is hard.
other than the 3-4 possible "sacred summon" options, the rest never make it.
all intelligent foes act like we, the party does. when someone is casting a full round cast - something is shot at him...
so summoning is really hard to complete.
