O.K. BBT we'll try this board.
Should a Gestalt Druid / Ranger get the animal companion from BOTH sides? 1 at full Druid Level & one at Ranger Level - 3?
No. Just because of the wording though. Ranger AC functions as Druids AC with restrictions... You can't overlap identical class features in gestalt.
O.K. What about a Ranger (Beastmaster) (Side A) / Fight, Mammoth Rider (Side B) adding the Mammoth Rider Levels to one of his beastmaster animals?
Idk... How are the descriptions worded?
from the PRD:
"The beast master may have more than one animal companion, but he must divide up his effective druid level between his companions to determine the abilities of each companion. For example, a beast master with an effective druid level of 4 can have one 4th-level companion, two 2nd-level companions, or one 1st-level and one 3rd-level companion. Each time a beast master's effective druid level increases, he must decide how to allocate the increase among his animal companions (including the option of adding a new 1st-level companion). Once an effective druid level is allocated to a particular companion, it cannot be redistributed while that companion is in the ranger's service (he must release a companion or wait until a companion dies to allocate its levels to another companion). The share spells animal companion ability does not give the ranger the ability to cast a single spell so that it affects all of his animal companions. This ability replaces hunter's bond."
From the Nature Warden PRD (Same text in the Rider):
"At 1st level, a nature warden's class levels stack with levels in all classes that grant an animal companion for the purpose of determining her animal companion's abilities."
So, if I take the rider as side B can I add it's levels to one animal of the beastmasters (Side A) animals
You would still have to split the lvls up to your hd. Stacking doesn't stack in gestalt...
Not sure I follow?? Under the normal system a 20th Level Beastmaster w/ boon companion taken twice can have a 20th level (16 ranger, 4 boon) & 8th Level (4 ranger, 4 boon) companion.
My idea is a 3rd animal (mount) at 16th level (10 rider, 2 ranger, 4 Boon), a 2nd animal (Scout) 6th (2 ranger, 4 boon), & a 1st animal (Battle buddy) 20th (16 ranger, 4 boon)?
And on the OP? The guys (my game group) use gestalt rather than play 2 characters & one if them said that 2 animals & 1 character is "better" than 2 animals & 2 characters?
???
You have to split your levels based on a single class that offers an AC. 20 lvl beast master could have to 14 lvl ACs with boon companion taken once for each of them. Depending on the AC, 2 of them and one of you are better than 1:1. As long as you don't have to use two move actions (handle animal) to play both of them. That would limit you to swift and immediate actions only.
Either I could be wrong, or your dm could be cool, though and in that case break the hell out of it... As long as your having fun.
Idea: Use the Animal Companion from your Ranger levels (though you'll need Boon Companion to make it really useful) and grab a Domain with your Druid levels.
If you want an animal companion not available for Rangers and/or is not willing to spend a feat on Boon Companion, you can grab the other Hunter's Bond option, but it sucks.
Look for archetypes that change class features that you get twice, or ask you GM to let you grab something else instead.
PRD:
For example, a beast master with an effective druid level of 4 can have one 4th-level companion, two 2nd-level companions, or one 1st-level and one 3rd-level companion. Each time a beast master's effective druid level increases, he must decide how to allocate the increase among his animal companions (including the option of adding a new 1st-level companion).
The AC's do not have to be even (as I understand the bold). And Handle animal is a free action for any AC Char. It does "sound" fun, I just don't want to be too over the top (to powerful). So I though i'd ask the game community. :)
Multiple Animal Companions mean multiple investment... You'll have to buy gear for all ACs if you want them to be able to contribute (or even survive). That means both your character and your ACs become less powerful with each extra critter you control.
How much of that is compensated by the boost to action economy varies from build to build. I believe keeping multiple ACs alive (and useful) requires too much effort and investment.
It's a nice idea, but it has some considerable drawbacks, so I wouldn't worry too much about animal companions making you OP. If something is going to make you too powerful, it'll be your full spell casting, not your pets.
I would rate the rangers alternate natures bond higher myself, Elemental domains are OK, but the rangers alternate choice grants bonus' to your now full strength animal companion and it doesn't require a feat investment on your part. just wanted to throw that out there.
The problem with that bonus is that it lasts very little (usually 2~4 rounds per day) and it takes a move action to activate. Not to mention Rangers are usually impressive damage dealers when confronting their FE, so more often than not, it's much better to stick to full attacks than spend a move action to give a lesser bonus to your less damaging friends.
PRD:
For example, a beast master with an effective druid level of 4 can have one 4th-level companion, two 2nd-level companions, or one 1st-level and one 3rd-level companion. Each time a beast master's effective druid level increases, he must decide how to allocate the increase among his animal companions (including the option of adding a new 1st-level companion).The AC's do not have to be even (as I understand the bold). And Handle animal is a free action for any AC Char. It does "sound" fun, I just don't want to be too over the top (to powerful). So I though i'd ask the game community. :)
You are correct, I was just giving an example of to maxed out ACs. Lvl 10 + 4 with boon companion. Take eye for talent or some other traits to boost it further.
Or...
Ranger/ wizard. Full familiar, full AC, and ask your dm if you can create another "pet" (for flavor reasons) and level it up and augment it through summon 1-9.