Hey all, first time post. Let me know if I'm getting things wrong and I'll correct it for next time.
I was building up stats for a deinonychus animal companion for my Serpent Skull Ranger and sort of stuttered when I got to giving the acrobatics skill. Can I get a check to see if I'm processing this correctly?
Skill ranks in acrobatics +5 pts
Dex mod +4
Jumper (feat) causes acrobatics to become class skill +3 pts
Bonus from speed of 60 ft is always accounted for with Jumper feat +12
For a total Acrobatics jumping skill check of +24
I know that this creature is sort of modified off the velociraptor from everyone's favorite dino movie, but that still seems a bit crazy. I want this guy to turn into my flank buddy, so if the jump stays, I'll just have him bounce all over the battlefield like a ping pong ball.
Deinonychus Companion level 5
N Small Animal
Init + 4; Senses low-light vision, scent; Perception +2
Defense
AC 19, touch 15, flat-footed 14 (+4 Dex, + 3 natural, +1 size, +1 dodge bonus)
hp 37 (5d8 +15) Fort +7, Ref +8, Will +2
Offense
Speed 60 ft. Attack 2 talons +3 (1d6 +1), bite +3 (1d4 +1)
Statistics
Ability Scores Str 12, Dex 18, Con 17, Int 3, Wis 12, Cha 14
BAB + 2; CMB + 3; CMD 19
Feats: Dodge, Mobility, Jumper
Skill Points Acrobatics +12 (+24 for jumping), Perception +2
Skills Special Qualities: Link, share spells, Evasion, Ability score increase (Int)
Tricks to teach: Attack DC 20
heel (DC 15)
watch (DC 15)
flank (DC 20)
guard (DC 20)
defend (DC 20)
down (DC 15)
fetch (DC 15)
flee (DC 20)
Max tricks at lvl 5: 9 from Int and 2 bonus.
Looks right to me. This little guy can jump, on average, about 35 feet and needs no running start.
While he might hop about the battlefield like a frog on crack, don't forget that jumping still provokes like any other movement does, so it's not always safe to simply jump into flanking.
Whoops! Please disregard the poison that is on those stats. That was a leftover from the previous companion, a Dimorphodon.
You can probably still edit the original post. I ignored that, was only looking at the jump since that's what you asked about.
And, way to go on the Utahraptor! As a denizen of Utah, I'm proud of our state bird, er, uh, theropod.
Post edited. Thanks for the input!
I think I'll probably armor the little guy up so he doesn't get smooshed and try out the hopping. I figure if I get a light armor without a check penalty he won't be suffering too badly, with a bit more surviving.
Any other tips for building out a decent companion?
Any other tips for building out a decent companion?
My favorite companions are mammals. Especially with very soft, curvy mammal characteristics. And preferably not very "decent" at all.
Dromeosaurs need not apply.
But, I may be looking for different kinds of companionship than you, so your mileage may vary...
Weapon Finesse would help out a bit for attack bonuses increasing. Toughness for those times AoOs do hit. Maybe Wind Stance?
I hate to rain on your parade, kindred180, but ranger's can't have dinosaurs as animal companions (unless you can convince your GM otherwise).
From the PRD: "The second option is to form a close bond with an animal companion. A ranger who selects an animal companion can choose from the following list: badger, bird, camel, cat (small), dire rat, dog, horse, pony, snake (viper or constrictor), or wolf."
Sorry. :(
EDIT: Oh, and Acrobatics is already a class skill for animal companions...
No worries about raining on the parade. I'd much rather know the rule now than be blindsided by it later.
I'll speak to my GM about it. I doubt he'll have an issue with it since I have already been linked to a Dimorphodon. The dinosaurs are so much better suited for this campaign than most of the animals on that (shockingly small) list.
Toughness is one of the feats I often forget about. So much better in Pathfinder than 3rd Ed. Good call.
Norgorber linked feats are out. I love Cayden Cailean too much. If only booze helped as much against foes as it does with the ladies!
Animal companions can have ranks in any of the following skills: Acrobatics* (Dex), Climb* (Str), Escape Artist (Dex), Fly* (Dex), Intimidate (Cha), Perception* (Wis), Stealth* (Dex), Survival (Wis), and Swim* (Str). All of the skills marked with an (*) are class skills for animal companions. Animal companions with an Intelligence of 3 or higher can put ranks into any skill.
Acrobatics is already a class skill for him, you don't need to waste a feat on jumper to get him to leap.
For real fun with one of these things,bump the int up to 3 and go with improved unarmed strike and dragon style. Makes the charge/pounce almost impossible to stop.
Actually, dinosaurs and birds are both filed under the Archosauria clade. so you could consider this loop hole in the rule that "rangers can't have dinosaurs for animal companions." beside it doesn't say they can't have a "distant relative" to birds or a very, very, ancient bird companion.
*goes to double check that acrobatics is an animal companion class skill.
*finds referenceStarts to copy paste reference
Notice that someone has already given the reference
Not that i AM the someone that gave the reference.
Notice the massive crime against nature of THREAD NECRO that borders on archeology....
Your advice is about five years too late.
