Animal Companion Ability Score Increase

[Dynn The BeastMaster]

If you look at the Animal Companion Advancement chart it has the AC gaining an Ability Score Increase at 4th, 9th, 14th, and 20th Level. I was of the understanding that you would get a +1 Stat Increase every 4 levels. Can someone please explain this for me????

Thank you

[TempusAvatar]

If you look at Table 3-8: Animal Companion Base Statistics on p.52 in the Core, you will notice that "Class Level" and "HD" do not correlate evenly. However, if you compare "HD" with "Special" you will notice that those numbers do correlate. The animal companion receives the ability score increase every 4 HD.

P.S. I also missed that class level and animal companion's HD don't correlate evenly (until I studied it closely.)

[Dynn The BeastMaster]

Interesting.... I never really looked at it in relation to HD, more level based. This is good and bad. Good: +4 to Strength is generally better than +5 since odd bonuses do nothing. Bad: its one less +1 I can put on a stat sheet for a vital part of my character(animal companion.)

[Dynn The BeastMaster]

Good thing I planned on using the Eye for Talent Human trait. :)

[Avh]

There are also automatic bonus to STR and DEX across the level (at druid level 3, 6, 9, 12, 15 and 18), and a super bonus to several stats at either 4th or 7th druid level.