I have an 11th level NPC ranger that I'm giving a wolf companion. Ranger has both the Boon Companion and Outflank feats. I wanted to build on the wolf's tripping ability, but since I can't give the companion Improved Trip I don't know if I can. So which feats should I give the wolf instead?
improved natural attack, weapon focus(bite), vital strike, light armour proficiency, medium armour proficiency, skill focus (survival) for tracking with scent.
the 1st and 2nd level feats have to be from the AC feat list, probably power attack and weapon focus:bite
but at 4th level you can put the stat increase into int, giving it a 3 int and therefore can take any feat.
so at 11th level you would get 3 more feats
for the first 2 take:
improved unarmed strike
feral combat training
this allows you to use monk styles with your bite attack
some ideas are:
belier's bite - will add 1d4 bleed damage to your bite attack
improved grapple - to grab and thwart spellcasters
scorpion style - reduces movement so they can't get away, although very easy save to make
anyway just some ideas, look at the feats and see if you can do anything interesting after you put a point into int.
the 1st and 2nd level feats have to be from the AC feat list, probably power attack and weapon focus:bite
but at 4th level you can put the stat increase into int, giving it a 3 int and therefore can take any feat.
so at 11th level you would get 3 more feats
for the first 2 take:
improved unarmed strike
feral combat trainingthis allows you to use monk styles with your bite attack
some ideas are:
belier's bite - will add 1d4 bleed damage to your bite attack
improved grapple - to grab and thwart spellcasters
scorpion style - reduces movement so they can't get away, although very easy save to makeanyway just some ideas, look at the feats and see if you can do anything interesting after you put a point into int.
Hmmm, this won't work since I want to give the companion Outflank. Also, the more I'm thinking about it the more I wonder if a big cat would bet a better companion than a wolf.
yes, a large cat is 10 times better than a wolf
yes, a large cat is 10 times better than a wolf
Alright then, Hjalmar Thunderhammer will get himself a kitty.
This is moot if you're really going for a cat, but there's also the Vicious Stomp feat, though it has Improved Unarmed Strike as a prerequisite, which is an obvious waste for a wolf.
And if you plan on doing any tripping yourself, there's the Tandem Trip teamwork feat, which you could each take.
If you like the style of having a wolf, just take a wolf and don't worry too much about optimization. But you really can't go wrong with a cat, either.
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Rangers can not get Large Cat with out a archtype.
Large cats have high str, 3 normal attacks, and pounce.
This is important if you are playing a PFS game or your GM doesn't open up the complete Druid list.
For a flank buddy the Wolf is generally considered the best on the Ranger companion list. If your looking for a mount, the Camel & Horse will be more up your alley (or Wolf if your a halfling/gnome).
I, too, have an 11th level ranger (with Boon Companion) with a large wolf.
The problem with animal companions is that they become progressively weaker in combat as things advance in levels - an 11th level ranger's animal companion, for example, has 6 hit dice. Yes, it's large and strong, but you're pretty much looking at mid-teens CMB bonus, which is simply limited in usefulness.
What *I* did, was to advance its Intelligence to three - this opens access to feats beyond those standard for animals: its feats are Power Attack, Weapon Focus(bite), Skill Focus (Intimidate), Intimidating Prowess, and Dazzling Display. It also has max ranks in Intimidate (9 ranks) for a +17 Intimidate (so +21 versus medium-sized creatures.)
At the beginning of combat, it will move within 30' range of as many enemies as it can, perhaps attacking and (maybe) tripping one, but on its next round it will take its full-round action to Perform (its trained in the Perform trick) a dazzling display, and almost without exception imposes the "shaken" condition on enemies for several rounds, so its a nice little debuff (especially for any save-or-suck casters in the party). After that, it will attack or provide flanks as needed (not for my ranger - he's a ranged attacker), and can be a bit of a tank (AC 31, 90 hit points) in a pinch. Its a pretty useful AC!
I, too, have an 11th level ranger (with Boon Companion) with a large wolf.
The problem with animal companions is that they become progressively weaker in combat as things advance in levels - an 11th level ranger's animal companion, for example, has 6 hit dice. Yes, it's large and strong, but you're pretty much looking at mid-teens CMB bonus, which is simply limited in usefulness.
What *I* did, was to advance its Intelligence to three - this opens access to feats beyond those standard for animals: its feats are Power Attack, Weapon Focus(bite), Skill Focus (Intimidate), Intimidating Prowess, and Dazzling Display. It also has max ranks in Intimidate (9 ranks) for a +17 Intimidate (so +21 versus medium-sized creatures.)
At the beginning of combat, it will move within 30' range of as many enemies as it can, perhaps attacking and (maybe) tripping one, but on its next round it will take its full-round action to Perform (its trained in the Perform trick) a dazzling display, and almost without exception imposes the "shaken" condition on enemies for several rounds, so its a nice little debuff (especially for any save-or-suck casters in the party). After that, it will attack or provide flanks as needed (not for my ranger - he's a ranged attacker), and can be a bit of a tank (AC 31, 90 hit points) in a pinch. Its a pretty useful AC!
The character in question is a themed NPC; He's a famous giant hunter among dwarves, and has the Twin Thunders line of feats. I want to build his animal companion to be useful against giants.
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I, too, have an 11th level ranger (with Boon Companion) with a large wolf.
The problem with animal companions is that they become progressively weaker in combat as things advance in levels - an 11th level ranger's animal companion, for example, has 6 hit dice. Yes, it's large and strong, but you're pretty much looking at mid-teens CMB bonus, which is simply limited in usefulness.
What *I* did, was to advance its Intelligence to three - this opens access to feats beyond those standard for animals: its feats are Power Attack, Weapon Focus(bite), Skill Focus (Intimidate), Intimidating Prowess, and Dazzling Display. It also has max ranks in Intimidate (9 ranks) for a +17 Intimidate (so +21 versus medium-sized creatures.)
At the beginning of combat, it will move within 30' range of as many enemies as it can, perhaps attacking and (maybe) tripping one, but on its next round it will take its full-round action to Perform (its trained in the Perform trick) a dazzling display, and almost without exception imposes the "shaken" condition on enemies for several rounds, so its a nice little debuff (especially for any save-or-suck casters in the party). After that, it will attack or provide flanks as needed (not for my ranger - he's a ranged attacker), and can be a bit of a tank (AC 31, 90 hit points) in a pinch. Its a pretty useful AC!
Did you mean 7 or 9 HD? because at Lvel 11 a rangers AC is only down by -3
Did you mean 7 or 9 HD? because at Lvel 11 a rangers AC is only down by -3
I meant a +6 BAB; the AC does indeed have 9 HD.
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This is close to the ranger my buddy is playing. In jade reagent home game. The cat dose not do allot of damage. There are very few enemy's that can run from it. And with the tandem trip there are very few enemy's that stand next to him and the ranger.
Human Ranger Level 11
Eye for Talent (Trait) +2Dex
Tandem Trip (Feet)
Out Flank (Feet)
Hunt-master (Feet)
Boon Companion (Feet)
Animal Companion
Small Cat
Size Small
HD 10 (Average HP 85)
BAB 7
Fort: 10 Reflex: 19 Will: 4
Speed 50 ft.
AC: 32 +9 natural armor + 1 Size + 12 Dex Mod
Attack: bite +21 (1d4+4 plus trip), 2 claws+21 (1d2+4)
CMB: 19
CMD: 21 (Trip 25)
Ability Scores Str 16, Dex 34, Con 16, Int 2, Wis 12, Cha 6
Special Qualities low-light vision, scent.
Skills: Acrobatics Ranks 5 + 12 Dex Mod + 3 Class Skill = 20 Total
Perception Ranks 5 + 1 Wis Mod + 3 Class Skill = 9 Total
Feet's
Toughness
Weapon Finesse
Agile Maneuvers
Tandem Trip (Whenever you attempt a trip combat maneuver against an enemy threatened by an ally with this feat, you roll twice and take the better result.)
Out Flank
Gear
Belt of Incredible Dexterity +4
Amulet of Might Fist +1