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[Daniel Thrace]

Lvl two ranger here.

I just finished an enjoyable PFS event and ended up capturing (saving from teammates actually) a Compsognathus. At the end the gm allowed me to keep it as a pet. I was hoping to get it as an animal companion but have now discovered it can only be a familiar. I assume there is no option to convert it to an animal companion so I would like help finding a substitute companion that is very similar.

Compsognathus on PRD

[Nefreet]

THIS CRITTER is only one size category larger, and very similar in shape.

[zefig]

The closest would probably be to say it was actually a baby velociraptor.

Nooo, raptor ninjad.

There are quite a few ways to pick up familiars though. Wizards, sorcerers, magi, and rogues can all get them. There may be other options as well.

[nosig]

this is a great thread.

I have nothing to add to help the OP, but it was a real pleasure to step into a thread and see posters that were trying to "play with" the OP rather than just telling him why he can't do something.

it's nice to see judges (both had three stars) "playing with the players", rather than "playing against the players".

Thanks! you made my day!

[Daniel Thrace]

Nefreet wrote:

THIS CRITTER is only one size category larger, and very similar in shape.

Thank you nefreet, you nailed it. I kept looking in the wrong places. I lose the poison, but gain a really solid pet that looks the same. Starting as small instead of tiny works, I am just thrilled to keep the quick little dino companion as an option.

[Artoo]

While I hate to disappoint you, I feel it should be pointed out that a Velociraptor is not a valid choice for a standard ranger's animal companion. They unfortunately have a fairly limited list.

However, if you have the Advanced Player's Guide, though, the Beastmaster ranger can select a raptor along with a few other minor changes.

If you haven't actually played at level 2 yet you can definetly make the switch without any issues. If you have, it's a bit more complicated, you'll have to use the Ultimate Campaign retraining rules.

[Bbauzh ap Aghauzh]

Eldritch Heritage feat let's you get the 1st level ability of a bloodline. The Arcane Bloodline let's you get a familiar.

[Nefreet]

D'oh! Artoo is right.

But so is Andrew Christian, so there's hope.

HERE is the Eldritch Heritage feat text, and HERE is the description of the Arcane Bloodline.

[Daniel Thrace]

Ok, have not yet played lvl two, so can still change some things. And thank you for the reminder before I played at lvl two.

Eldritch heritage route seems very complicated. I would have to burn two feats (E.H. and skill focus) and only advantage would be a familiar and it would still not allow a compy as a companion.

But the Beastmaster option(s) seem a lot more promising.

I read the section on beastmaster in APG, but I am confused because I also found THIS in the PRD. This option appears to be a stand alone Feat for half orcs, which fortunately I am. But I can't find the actual trait in the APG, just online in the PRD. The Beastmaster section in APG appears to be a full ranger class overhaul which would be a lot more changes instead of just one trait. But that linked trait also does not actually say anything about increasing the pool of possible companions.

[Artoo]

That's an alternate Racial Trait(which is different from a Race Trait). You can find it on page 20 of the APG.

While you can take that it won't help with what you're looking at.

The ranger archetype happens to share the same name as that particular racial trait despite being something quite different. The archetype is what you'll want. The changes at level 1/2 from the basic ranger are actually quite minimal, it's just a change to your class skill.

You can find the info for the archetype here

As you level up just be aware that some of the standard ranger abilitie swill be replaced.

[Daniel Thrace]

Alright, switched it over to Beast Master. Only one switch of skills, spellcraft dropped for acrobatics. Easy enough. No feat or trait changes needed. Thank you all for your help.