optimizing my animal companion

[Whyte_Widow]

Megafauna (giant elk)
http://paizo.com/PRD/additionalMonsters/megafauna.html

Given the go ahead for this as my ranger animal companion with Boon Companion feat.

I was going to go with the traditional wolf. But, this fit our campaign a bit better. How would you optimize this companion for a ranger with a bow?

[IdleAltruism]

What level are you exactly? Just 4?

Are you planning on riding it once you hit 7 (are you small sized already)?

This particular companion seems to be a one-trick-pony (or elk, as it were), specifically a charger. It's not particularly fast, so it matters more on what you want it to do. If it's flanking and charging for your allies that's different than if you want to use it as a mount (specifically for feats).

[Whyte_Widow]

Human - and i plan on staying with the same companion through the campaign. I was thinking as a mount. Just hit level 4. I had originally thought wolf or cat. But, felt this would be fun as well.

[The black raven]

Lookout (teamwork feat) on both. This will give you a full attack on many surprise rounds, which is just great for an archer.

Bodyguard archetype (from Animal Archive) works wonders with a mount.

If you feel like multiclassing, a 3-levels dip in Paladin (Shining Knight) will grant your bonuses to saves to your mount and a 5-levels-dip will get your companion back to full level.

[Whyte_Widow]

The boon companion feat has him at full level. Bodyguard is a must IMO now that i have looked at it. Just never have made an animal companion before. Should be fun.

[XMorsX]

1. Light Armor Proficiency
2. Power Attack
5. Improved Overrun
8. Improved Natural Weapon (gore)
10. Charge Through
13. Greater Overrun
16. Improved Natural Weapon (hooves)
18. Eldrich Claws

Remember to raise the Int of your companion to 3 so that it can learn all the feat and be able to understand you without tricks.

Lookout is nice but you probably are feat-starved in order to take all the useful archery feats in time.

[Gwaedh]

Dont bother with using a feat for light armor prof. Just splurge for masterwork studded leather barding. No armor check penalty means no penalty for not having proficiency.

[XMorsX]

Well, studded leather is not chain shirt. The difference is only 1 AC, but this is the same amount that Dodge and Improved Natural Armor offer, so it is not generally a bad deal. Also, you cannot take power attack before lvl2, so I cannot think of a more useful feat at lvl 1.

[Whyte_Widow]

XMorsX wrote:

1. Light Armor Proficiency

2. Power Attack
5. Improved Overrun
8. Improved Natural Weapon (gore)
10. Charge Through
13. Greater Overrun
16. Improved Natural Weapon (hooves)
18. Eldrich Claws

Remember to raise the Int of your companion to 3 so that it can learn all the feat and be able to understand you without tricks.

Lookout is nice but you probably are feat-starved in order to take all the useful archery feats in time.

i like this plan. Generally at our table... we dont get much past 13th level. Already increased int to 4. I did take boon companion at 3 so at 4 the elk is coming in at equal level. Generally this is a heavy role playing table so i chose the AC with the most flavor. I can always change to a wolf later on if I don't feel the elk is pulling his weight.

I have two questions really.

Is it worth it to waste the skill points on spellcraft to work towards improved share spell feat?

and

How would stealth work with a traditionally not stealthy animal?

[Whyte_Widow]

Also, would it be beneficial to switch out to a different animal come 10th?

[lemeres]

As a note: if you do increase the animal's intelligence to 3, there are few restrictions and necessities.

The companion does not automatically learn a language, but you can have it learn one by placing a skill point in linguistics. According to the rules, you still need a handle animal check, since it is a smart animal rather than an dumb humanoid. You can still give fairly specific commands ("Take that sword to Timmy, alright Lassy?"). It can also be reasonably be expected to take at least some initiative on its own (the rules give the example of an animal in a burning building trying to burst down a door).

[Whyte_Widow]

Rules are not a huge issue for this game as we are HEAVY ROLE PLAY. We have been playing for 13 years+ and things are not ever set in stone. Fun is our key and well "restrictions and necessities" aren't paramount.

[XMorsX]

Whyte_Widow wrote:

Is it worth it to waste the skill points on spellcraft to work towards improved share spell feat?

and

How would stealth work with a traditionally not stealthy animal?

1) No. You have more important archery feats to take. You should aim for Point Blank Shot, Precise Shot, Rapid Shot, Deadly Aim, Weapon Focus Longbow, Improved Precise Shot, Manyshot,

Combat Reflexes/Snap Shot/Improved Snap Shot, Point Blank Master (Longbow)

2) No differences there, just raise the Stealth skill and use the rules.