A player of mine wants to use a rabbit or dire rabbit as an animal companion (probably rooted in a desire to emulate either Monty Python or Watership Down). However, neither animal appears on the list of animal companions. I can convert either a rabbit or dire rabbit statblock to an animal-companion-style statblock easily enough, but I'm stumped as to how to advance the animal at fourth level. Is there a system for how this is done, or is it ad-hoc? If the former, what is it? If the latter...any advice?
Can I ask why you don't just use the stats on an existing animal companion (exp: wolf) but narratively describe it as a rabbit/dire rabbit? Seems like it might be easier, and pre balanced. Just a suggestion that will save you work as a DM, and no players can complain you created it wrong/unfair. [Well, some might still, but just smack them with the Core book taped to the APG, it'll knock em right! ;) ]
[Back in the day that's what my groups did with odd AC choices, or using Scimitar stats for Falcatas, etc, when rules didn't exist.]
Well, I'd thought of using the Dire Rat's advancement, but something about rabbits spreading Filth Fever doesn't jive with me (even though they probably would IRL...).
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There is no rule for this. It would be up to the GM. The best thing to do is to use the stats of an existing animal such as a badger.
Well, I'd thought of using the Dire Rat's advancement, but something about rabbits spreading Filth Fever doesn't jive with me (even though they probably would IRL...).
This thread prob needs to be in suggestion/homebrew so treating it as that, and with the Python influence... replace FF with a low damage bleed effect/bleed on crit effect?
I think I said wolf because in my mind I was imagining nobely riding a dire rabbit into battle as a med sz character. ;) [Plus single strong bite attack for fluff, and trip for function, it's a 'green' ish base AnComp that'll help most groups in some role]
Here's what I've got. I modeled it after the rat => dire rat transition rather than using the dire template by Necromancer Games and on the PFSRD:
DIRE RABBIT CR 1/3
XP 135
N Small animal
Init +4; Senses low-light vision; Perception +1DEFENSE
AC 15, touch 15, flat-footed 11 (+4 Dex, +1 size)
hp 9 (2d8)
Fort +3, Ref +7, Will +1OFFENSE
Speed 60 ft.
Melee bite +2 (1d4)
Space 5 ft.; Reach 5 ft.STATISTICS
Str 11, Dex 18, Con 11, Int 2, Wis 12, Cha 7
Base Atk +1; CMB +0; CMD 13 (17 vs. trip)
Feats Run
Skills Stealth +13; Racial Modifiers +8 Acrobatics when jumping
And as an animal companion:
STARTING STATISTICS
Size Small; Speed 60 ft.; Attack bite (1d4); Ability Scores Str 11, Dex 18, Con 11, Int 2, Wis 12, Cha 7; Special Qualities low-light vision4TH-LEVEL ADVANCEMENT
Attack bite (1d6 plus attach), 2 claws (1d4); Ability Scores Str +2, Con +2
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Good question! I've got a Ranger PC in my game with a ferret animal companion, and I've got the same issue. I'm currently using the weasel stats as a base. But he's starting to get closer to the 4th level advancement threshold, and I'm pondering kicking it up to the stats for a giant weasel that appeared in a recent AP chapter, but I think the power level jump would be too big. Ideas?