I have a friend that is planning to play a druid (though he is considering hunter) with an animal companion.
The book character that he is using to base his concept has an intelligent animal (ape I think).
Any way to get the mental stat higher for an animal companion? It probably doesn’t have to actually get to human intelligence, but he’d like it closer than usual.
I know they can put a +1 onto any stat every 5 levels. But that still isn’t going to make it very smart.
He could use awaken, but then it isn’t an animal so it won’t be his animal companion anymore. Probably still be a friend, but friends don’t necessarily follow you around for the rest of their life and follow all your orders.
Take an awakened ape as a cohort with the Leadership feat. Still not quite an animal companion, but probably the best and most accurate way.
Hmm... I don't think he thought of that. I will ask him if their GM allows leadership.
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Animals with out high intelligent scores become magical beast. Their is no way to make a animal companion with human like intelligence.
One exception to this is the paladin mount ability. Even then its because they gain the outsider subtype and are still allowed to be a animal companion.
Second exception Monstrous Mount feet. Even then you are limited to something that can be a mount. You are limited on class selection due to requirements. And you are also limited on the type of companion it can be.
The human alternate racial trait eye for talent allows you to put a +2 bonus into one stat your companion has. That seems the best he can do from start.
I asked, the GM isn't real keen on leadership, but might allow in this case. He will ask her. Doesn't necessarily have to be an ape. In the book series there is something like an ape with long fur colored like a zebra. A fox the size of a mountain lion. A large bird with properties of eagle, parrot, and owl.
I don't think a 'mount' works with any of those. Paladin really doesn't fit his character concept.
To get a general idea of the intelligence he is looking for. They don't read. But they understand spoken speech. Some of them understand several languages. The bird can speak like an older child (8-10).
They are smart enough to understand the concept of needing an owner, jesses, leash, cage when not at home to keep from being killed/captured. They 'like' some kinds of art or music. Fascinated by complex wind chimes. Sort of understand the concept of buying things. But not relative values. So might use a small diamond instead of the large quartz to purchase a meal.
Really listening to him talk, it sounded more like a rather stupid familiar instead of a really smart animal companion. But the abilities of the character are really inline with a low mid level druid or hunter (but no wild shape).
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As mentioned, human eye for talent. A nature oracle can take the mount revelation at level 1 and that specifically bumps its int to 6--I believe it has a limited list (like the cavalier) but the GM may allow other things. Though if he specifically wanted a zebra I doubt it'd be any problem to allow a horse to be simply called a zebra.
Aha! I forgot druids can get familiars. I don't have the familiar book yet, but I've looked though it a bit.
I will also ask him about the Eye For Talent to see if that gives enough intelligence. It might be when added to the leveling ability score increase.
Didn't want a zebra, it was an ape with long fur and zebra coloring (black and white vertical stripes).