Kangeroo companion by 2nd

[Ryan. Costello]

I've been formulating a character concept with a kangeroo animal companion (Bestiary 3). I was hoping to gain the companion at 1st level. Off all the classes that gain animal companions, druid was my last choice for the concept, but I can't find any other class that both has an animal companion at 1st level, and can take any animal as their companion.

[blackbloodtroll]

A Cleric or Inquisitor with the Animal Domain can nab one at 1st.

[Ryan. Costello]

I thought that, too, but according to the PRD, you only get your companion at 4th.

[TheKingsportCockroach]

Sylvan bloodline sorcerer gets one at first. You'll need boon companion eventually but that should cover you. Otherwise I think you're SOL.

[Ryan. Costello]

Hm. A sylvan sorcerer with a kangeroo sounds... insane. But not exactly the insane I was going for. I might have to settle for druid if I want to go this root, but I am still entertaining options.

It would be nice if there were a feat that opened up animal companion options, or something other than a class feature.

[Shalafi2412]

I have a 1st level gnome sylvan sorcerer with a triceratops animal companion in the Reign of Winter game that I am DMing. Pretty neat little combo.

[Name Violation]

barbarian archetype from animal archives gets a companion at first instead of rage

[Detect Magic]

Name Violation wrote:

barbarian archetype from animal archives gets a companion at first instead of rage

How is that still a barbarian? Remove the iconic class ability and what have you got left? /confused

[Ryan. Costello]

Name Violation wrote:

barbarian archetype from animal archives gets a companion at first instead of rage

RAW says the mad dog's companion has to be a dog, unfortunately.

[the David]

What's wrong with a druid? Just imagine an aboriginal druid with a boomerang and a kangaroo. Then try to convert that to Golarion.

Where on Golarion can you find kangaroos?

[Ryan. Costello]

I just didn't see casting being a heavy part of the build, and that goes double for wild shape. If there aren't any other options, I'll start looking at druid archetypes.

[FallofCamelot]

"What's that Skip? Hellicopter crash? 47 miles north west of Bongaloo?"

[MacGurcules]

Ryan. Costello wrote:

Name Violation wrote:

barbarian archetype from animal archives gets a companion at first instead of rage

RAW says the mad dog's companion has to be a dog, unfortunately.

Where does it say that? I'm reading this:

Though named for the wild savages who fight alongside
rabid dogs, mad dogs employ all manner of beasts as
their battle brethren.
And:
War Beast(Ex): At 1st level, a mad dog gains the service
of an animal companion, using the barbarian's level as
her effective druid level. This ability replaces the rage
powers gained at 2nd, 6th, 10th, 14th, and 18th level

The ability that grants the companion doesn't name any specifics as to type and the flavor description for the archetype actually explicitly contradicts the notion that it has to be a dog.

That said, if you've got your eye on something like Ranger, perhaps you could discuss with your GM about buying a bestiary kangaroo with some of your starting money and just use Handle Animal like normal to interact with it for the first three levels. It won't be of much use in combat, but if you just need it for character purposes, that shouldn't be much of an issue. Then when you actually get the ability to have a proper animal companion, you can adopt it.

A kangaroo doesn't have a listed price that I know of, but its CR and stats put it roughly on par with a pony and a combat trained pony runs 45 gold. If it were me running the game, I'd say that's pretty fair.

[Ryan. Costello]

MacGurcules wrote:

Ryan. Costello wrote:

Name Violation wrote:

barbarian archetype from animal archives gets a companion at first instead of rage

RAW says the mad dog's companion has to be a dog, unfortunately.

Where does it say that? I'm reading this:

I guess I read something that wasn't there. If that's the case, then mad dog sounds like exactly what I'm looking for. Thanks guys!

[Hill Giant]

Mad dog with kangaroo companion?

[BigNorseWolf]

Now here's a concept ... druid/gunslinger riding a druid/gunslinger.

Sarusan is the golarion australian analog. Need to plan my gnome or halfling riding in the kangaroo pouch with a lance...

[Ryan. Costello]

BigNorseWolf wrote:

Sarusan is the golarion australian analog.

Hmm...

Quote:

All available information on Sarusan comes from ancient accounts, because no modern expedition has successfully returned from Sarusan.

That makes justifying the kangeroo a bit tough. Washed up in a crate and I mistook him for a giant mouse, maybe?

Hill Giant wrote:

Mad dog with kangaroo companion?

I was thinking more like this!

[c873788]

Ryan. Costello wrote:

Hmm...

That makes justifying the kangeroo a bit tough. Washed up in a crate and I mistook him for a giant mouse, maybe?

Sorry, but this is bugging me. It's kangaroo, not kangeroo.

Regards,

Resident of Sarusan.

[c873788]

FallofCamelot wrote:

"What's that Skip? Hellicopter crash? 47 miles north west of Bongaloo?"

You play a Summoner called "Sonny", don't you?

[Ryan. Costello]

c873788 wrote:

Sorry, but this is bugging me. It's kangaroo, not kangeroo.

Man, how did I make that same mistake that many times? Thanks!