When we restart the game I'm going to be a druid with a spinosaurus animal companion. The bigger one from the bestiary has the swallow whole ability. When I get it as a medium size can I use swallow whole on a smaller creature. The rules say one size under the creature. Would I be able to use it when it's medium or large sized?
The animal companion version does not get it. The reason is that animal companions are not exactly like the bestiary version, and they only get what the druid section gives them.
Spinosaurus Companions
Starting Statistics: Size Medium; Speed 30 ft., swim 20 ft.; AC +3 natural armor; Attack bite (1d6), 2 claws (1d4); Ability Scores Str 18, Dex 15, Con 15, Int 2, Wis 13, Cha 3.
7th-Level Advancement: Size Large; AC +2 natural armor; Attack bite (1d8), 2 claws (1d6); Ability Scores Str +8, Dex –2, Con +4.
Compare to the tiger who gets some of the abilities from the bestiary that I bolded.
Cat, Big (Lion, Tiger)
Starting Statistics: Size Medium; Speed 40 ft.; AC +1 natural armor; Attack bite (1d6), 2 claws (1d4); Ability Scores Str 13, Dex 17, Con 13, Int 2, Wis 15, Cha 10; Special Attacks rake (1d4); Special Qualities low-light vision, scent.
7th-Level Advancement: Size Large; AC +2 natural armor; Attack bite (1d8), 2 claws (1d6); Ability Scores Str +8, Dex –2, Con +4; Special Attacks grab, pounce, rake (1d6)
Your animal companions only gain the abilities listed in the animal companions section. You should otherwise ignore the bestiary entry.
Animal companions, despite sharing the same name with a normal animal, are not those animals. They have their own special rules. You only get what the animal companion entry says you get.
Animal companions, despite sharing the same name with a normal animal, are not those animals. They have their own special rules. You only get what the animal companion entry says you get.
Which is dumb imo. Balanced... sure. Fun... no. Same goes for the nerf to Wildshape.
But thats what houserules are for I suppose.
The posters above me are correct. The developers must have had a really bad experience with a druid in thier games because its the single most nerfed class from 3.5.
I have played druids in 3.5, and I have to say, they were the single most powerful class, hands down. They needed a nerf badly. The ability to become a creature with a 31 strength, 105 hit points and improved grab at 8th level, not to mention the instant healing effect, was just way over the top. Then add Animal Growth on your animal companion and multiple summoned animals, and you have an invincible army.
We merged the two threads on this topic.