I'm currently playing a ranger, and at the end of the last session I hit level 4 and got my animal companion. However, I already have a heavy horse that I've been riding around that I wanted to become my companion.
If I'm reading the animal companion rules right, they're saying that if I wanted my horse to be my animal companion it would actually become weaker than a normal animal of its type, and lose combat training. How the hell does this make any sort of sense? Aren't animal companions supposed to be better than standard animals? Why does my horse spontaneously become worse than a standard combat horse?
For reference:
A normal war trained heavy horse has
Str 20, Dex 18, Con 21, Int 2, Wis 17, Cha 11
Run as a bonus feat
+8 to perception
3 primary natural attacks (2 +5 1d6 hooves, +5 1d4 bite)
+2 natural armor
An animal companion horse at druid level 1 has
Str 16, Dex 13, Con 15, Int 2, Wis 12, Cha 6
3 natural attacks (2 -1 1d6 hooves, +4 1d4 bite)
+4 natural armor
Aren't animal companions supposed to be better than standard animals?No. Though they do have the capacity of becoming better. And you get those Share Spell and Link perks.
Why does my horse spontaneously become worse than a standard combat horse?
That I do not know. But you could just wait making "Trigger" your AC, until it's actually beneficial.
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Wait, I think there are a few misunderstandings here. First of all, Horse animal companions are specifically combat trained. Secondly, hooves are secondary attacks, not primary; a heavy horse's hooves are both +0.
At first level, very few animal companions are stronger than untrained animals of the same type (some of the dinosaurs go from Gargantuan to Medium). 1st level horse animal companions are slightly worse than light horses, but they're substantially worse than heavy horses, which are horses with the advanced template. But, as VRMH mentioned, it's only a matter of time until the companion drastically outstrips its mundane fellows.
You might also want to look at the Boon Companion feat from Seekers of Secret Chronicle book, page 16.
Boon Companion allows you to consider your level up to 4 higher (up to your level) for considerations of your familiar or animal companion.
If you want, take it at 5th level, have your horse become your animal companion, with abilities calculated as if you were a 5th level druid.
Wait, I think there are a few misunderstandings here. First of all, Horse animal companions are specifically combat trained. Secondly, hooves are secondary attacks, not primary; a heavy horse's hooves are both +0.
At first level, very few animal companions are stronger than untrained animals of the same type (some of the dinosaurs go from Gargantuan to Medium). 1st level horse animal companions are slightly worse than light horses, but they're substantially worse than heavy horses, which are horses with the advanced template. But, as VRMH mentioned, it's only a matter of time until the companion drastically outstrips its mundane fellows.
When horses are combat trained their hooves become primary attacks.
Maybe that makes sense for something more powerful and exotic, but horses are a common animal that you can buy. It seems really wrong to me that a class feature you get at fourth level is actually worse for a long time than spending 200g and making a handle animal check to train the horse.
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I think part of the issue is also that the rules don't assume you converting an existing pet into an animal companion, they're balanced to the acquisition of a new feature for the class. As was mentioned by others, maybe look at taking the Boon Companion feat, or assume that your new animal companion is a mate or offspring of your existing mount and keep them both around until you're satisfied with your AC's power level.
Greetings, fellow travellers.
Have you done a search, Aratrok? This topic comes up pretty often - so you know you're not the only one frustrated/confused/outraged/disappointed/what-not out there.
Anyways. The Animal Companion "horse" has got nothing to do with nothing to do with the Bestiary "horse, light/heavy".
If you're playing RAW, there's no use complaining. The rules are clear on this. If you can arrange something with your GM, things might start to look your way.
Don't underestimate the AC progression table.
The AC horse's stats are worse, but remember, that you can customize its feats (who'd ever take Run? - get rid off it and take something useful) and it gets more over time, it gets to learn more tricks than a Bestiary horse, its NA increases and its stats do increase as well. On top it gets Evasion, Share Spells and Devotion and using Handle Animal on your AC is a free action.
In addition you can make it smarter with increasing its Int and make it eligible for every feat on the list (within reason) - check out the blog.
Pretty good deal in my eyes.
Ruyan.