Has anyone here had experience with a vermin companion? If so, how do they compare to animals? I'm considering making a beastmaster ranger with a giant beetle or spider but I don't know if this is gonna be weaksauce.
They don't get feats or skill point, but the do get immunity to mind affecting abilities. If you give them at least one point of intelligence they do get feats, and skills, but then they lose the immunity to mind affects.
They seem weaker to me without the ability to get feats. I have one in a pbp. Even with feats the animals seem better, but it is not a really big difference. Unless you are playing under a GM that forces you to squeeze every bit of optimization out of your character then taking the vermin(with feats) or an animal companion should work.
They don't get feats or skill point, but the do get immunity to mind affecting abilities. If you give them at least one point of intelligence they do get feats, and skills, but then they lose the immunity to mind affects.
They seem weaker to me without the ability to get feats. I have one in a pbp. Even with feats the animals seem better, but it is not a really big difference. Unless you are playing under a GM that forces you to squeeze every bit of optimization out of your character then taking the vermin(with feats) or an animal companion should work.
Interesting. What class were you?
Druid, both times.
Ah.
I was thinking the alternate racial trait for humans which gives an animal companion +2 to any stat would be EXTREMELY useful for druids/rangers with vermin companions. You can use the boost to give them 2 intelligence right out the box.
That would be nice. I had forgotten about it. I like the scorpion and preying mantis the most. I was level one and my scorpion was grappling and owning gnolls which I believe are CR 2.
I remember that much about the other vermin.
Wow i just thought of a great, golden ax-ish druid/ cavalier or dragoon human on a praying mantis... boon companion! Or, horse trainer for full growth.