I'm considering an alternate Ranger ability for inclusion in my game.
By giving up spellcasting, the Ranger gets the Animal Companion ability of the Druid and is able to choose from the Druid list for the animal companion.
Effective Druid Level = Ranger Level.
Thoughts?
I'm considering an alternate Ranger ability for inclusion in my game.
By giving up spellcasting, the Ranger gets the Animal Companion ability of the Druid and is able to choose from the Druid list for the animal companion.
Effective Druid Level = Ranger Level.
Thoughts?
Might be too front-loaded - you give up something gained at level 4 for something gained at level 1. It might also turn out to be too weak later, where the spells might be more useful than +3 effective druid level.
Might be too front-loaded - you give up something gained at level 4 for something gained at level 1. It might also turn out to be too weak later, where the spells might be more useful than +3 effective druid level.
Actually, you're giving up something at Level 4 to enhance something else you gain at Level 4 via Hunter's Bond.
But thanks for the thought. Any ideas on how to possibly fix that?
Reduced spellcasting instead of none?
Don't think the front-loading is a problem, there used to be a feat you could take in 3.5 to give the ranger an effective druid level = to his class level.
However, I do agree it's too weak, giving up even limited spellcasting for +3 levels of animal companion isn't a good trade.
Now, something that scaled with level and boosted the animal companion, that might be worth it.
For example, druid animal companion at 1st. At 4th, the ranger can apply a +1 CR template to his animal companion. At 9th, and every 5 levels thereafter, he can add 1 to the CR of the template or templates he can apply. So, at 9th, 2 +1 CR templates, or a +2 CR Template.
I think I misunderstood. I thought you meant that the animal companion was to be acquired at level 1.
I think I misunderstood. I thought you meant that the animal companion was to be acquired at level 1.
At the moment, I'm not sure. The original concept did have the animal companion at level 1, but as you said, it's a bit front-loaded. (No more than the druid is though.)
So if I move it to level 4, it delays it a bit, but some of the animals will immediately get their level 4 enhancement.
I think the beastmaster traded only camouflage for effectively that same thing. Granted camouflage is decent, but it's note 4 levels of spellcasting decent.
I'd say that if you gave up spellcasting, you'd better be getting more out of it.
One of the benefits of having spellcasting with your animal companion is being able to buff him. If you added a buffing ability of some kind (like a supernatural effect that lasted rounds/minutes) it would be a good replacement and still keep things in theme.
If you were willing to give up your First favored enemy, then I could see gaining an animal companion at 1st level, but you'd need some decent boost later down the road to make up for that large of a loss.
Based on what mdt said: get the animal companion at 4th level with druid level = ranger level, but at every x levels (3, maybe 4?) the animal gains an extra bonus beyond the normal progression.
Or, based on a PrC I've seen once, instead give a second animal companion, lets say at 9 level, with the level for progression of this animal at ranger level -4. Maybe a third and fourth at higher levels.