Copied from the homebrew forum:
So the Advanced Class Guide came out at the perfect time, because I'm about to start a campaign and my fiance wants to play a shaman. We were both disappointed, though, because when we think of spirit guides, it's a wolf, elk, eagle, or something like that. In other words, an animal companion, not a familiar. But then, animal companions don't get improved Intelligence, which we do expect in a spirit guide.
For now, I've decided to let her take Improved Familiar at level 1 in order to select a wolf. Since the level 3 and higher options are magical or monstrous, I feel it is not unreasonable to allow a bigger but mundane creature as a level 1 choice. I'm still not convinced this is the right way to handle it though.
I've thought about making spirit animals based on animal companions rather than familiars, but I like the idea that spirit animals are intelligent. I also thought about adding a hex that allows a bigger spirit animal, but I'm not sure that's any better than the feat path.
How would you guys handle the situation?
I personally like Rite Publishing's Shaman's take on spirit animals, myself.
Allowing a Hex instead of a feat sounds reasonable. There's also the Extra Hex feat, so by turning it into a Hex the Shaman player now has the option of sacrificing a hex, or a feat, in order to get a bigger spirit animal. So if it's between the feat and hex route then I'd go the hex route as it's less restrictive.
The nature spirit's True Spirit ability turns the familiar into a combo familiar-animal companion. That doesn't kick in until 16th level, though.
The problem with a Hex or the True Spirit ability, is that the spirit animal is a core aspect of the character. Either way, the shaman would have to start with a familiar-type animal and not the animal that they have in mind.
I like that shaman's animal companion, but how should I adjust the ACG shaman to accommodate it?