Hi!
First, I'll just say I'm sorry if anyone ever posted a thread about this. I've searched for an answer before posting this and found nothing. Oh, and sorry for my low quality English!
I would eventualy like to try a druid character but I wonder : are all animal companions battle trained and riding-trained? I really like the axe beak because it is exotic and looks like an austrich (but cooler). But I wonder if I could get my character to ride it (or if it will flee during a battle).
Thanks a lot!
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No, they don't automatically get Combat Training. You have to train them for it, as per the rules in Handle Animal.
Combat Training (DC 20) An animal trained to bear a rider into combat knows the tricks attack, come, defend, down, guard, and heel. Training an animal for combat riding takes 6 weeks. You may also “upgrade” an animal trained for riding to one trained for combat by spending 3 weeks and making a successful DC 20 Handle Animal check. The new general purpose and tricks completely replace the animal's previous purpose and any tricks it once knew. Many horses and riding dogs are trained in this way.
An Axe Beak is smart enough to be trained for Combat Riding, and I think most DMs will allow you to start at level 1 with a trained Axe Beak. This means that if you want to teach it any tricks other than the ones listed under Combat Training, you are limited to the number of bonus tricks given to the Animal Companion (given on the AC table). If you are size Medium, you will have to wait until the Axe Beak becomes size Large (at level 4) before you can actually ride it.
Yes but with the Companion Boon feat it gets easier to ride it at 1st level.
Thanks for the information! I had another question but I guess I have the answer now : I wandered if you had to train your companion every time you change it. I guess that the answer's yes. I'll talk about it with my DM!