I'm writing up a group of NPCs, and one of the NPCs is a druid. Now, the druid is CR 1/2, nothing difficult. However, as part of their class features, they of course get an animal companion off the selected list.
In 3E, summoned monsters, familiars, and animal companions were considered part of a character's class features, and thus were not considered individual creatures for the purposes of determining experience awarded. I've found no guidelines within the Pathfinder rules to suggest how Pathfinder handles this sort of thing.
Should I evaluate the CR of the animal companion, or just treat it as part of the druid NPC?
I realize there are benefits and drawbacks to both methods, and reasons for going with either option, but I wanted to see if I could get some official word on it before I finish writing my adventure stuff.
What's everyone else's take on this?
Class features do not have CR.
For animal companions, familiars, spell like abilities that summon creatures, and so on it is taken into account of the original creatures CR.
I think a bigger example that brings up the question are demons and devils who summon buddies.
For animal companions, familiars, spell like abilities that summon creatures, and so on it is taken into account of the original creatures CR.
I think a bigger example that brings up the question are demons and devils who summon buddies.
In general it brings up the issue of action economy and CR being wonky to say the least
No having the wizard summon critters for you to fight for free XP.
Director of Narrative
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I'd say the evil outsiders are less of a worry in this question than spellcasters. Only the pit fiend and the balor have a 100% chance of the summon working, and most of the others only have between a 35% and 50% chance.
Spellcasters can crank that stuff out left and right. I still don't think it should affect CR. Granted, a GM could always award some extra XP if a party successfully fought a critter-spamming summoner and the GM felt like it was a particularly strong challenge.
Much thanks. I was definitely leaning towards not counting the pet as a separate creature (for the all the listed reasons), but I couldn't actually find anything in the rules that gave a clear explanation. As noted, in the 3.x rules, it was specifically noted that summons/pets were counted as part of the NPC in question, and didn't award extra XP.
I figured it'd be safest to ask, right? ^_^
Yeah, the same paradigm stands. I think it was just another thing that didn´t get copied over from 3.5 PHB/DMG even though it´s just as justified/needed in PRPG as 3.5... Like the stat buff every 4 levels not actually being described anywhere.
Incidentally, figuring XP/CR for Animal Companions would have to be just about completely ad-hoc, given they don´t correspond to any Bestiary entry or any NPC/Monster w/ Class Level combo.
Yeah, the same paradigm stands. I think it was just another thing that didn´t get copied over from 3.5 PHB/DMG even though it´s just as justified/needed in PRPG as 3.5... Like the stat buff every 4 levels not actually being described anywhere.
Incidentally, figuring XP/CR for Animal Companions would have to be just about completely ad-hoc, given they don´t correspond to any Bestiary entry or any NPC/Monster w/ Class Level combo.
Indeed. It wouldn't have been too difficult, but it would have required an extra step. There's a lot of often overlooked but important things that Pathfinder sadly hasn't got compared to 3E. The 3E DMG for example is amazingly thorough, and gives a lot of very valuable information outside the realm of just numbers.
Nothing they could do about that though, since short of re-writing the DMG, they can't really use any of that information.
As someone who plays a druid regularly, I would recommend counting the animal companion and any summoned creatures as an extension of the druid itself. Also the animal companion should always move on the druid's turn.
On a sidenote, if you create a druid's animal companion give it some substance. Don't make it a generic animal, give it some background and jazz up the abilities, make it a challange for the players. And use Camels they rock for animal companions.
Definitely. I'm writing a mini-book about hobgoblins, and one of the statistics blocks is for hobgoblin druids, who keep wolves as animal companions. I've been playing Pathfinder for quite a while now, but having come from a wholly 3.x background, I keep reminding myself that things have changed in some odd places here and there. So when I couldn't find instructions for summoned creatures and the like, I figured I'd ask to see if it has changed since 3.x.