Shaman Class - Spirit Animal Question

[Chevallaine]

Hey all, just a quick question in regards to the interaction of companions and the Shaman class.

Specifically, if I create a first level Druid with an animal companion or a first level hunter and then multiclass into the Shaman class, can that companion effectively become my Spirit Animal?

I ask because I do not like the limitations on the wizard familiar table and I think a Shaman with a Spirit Wolf companion would make for an excellent combination in my opinion.

I know there is already a Spirit that will grant a companion at level nine I think (need reference) but I'd like to begin early for lore and story development.

Thanks in advance!

[Calth]

Chevallaine wrote:

Hey all, just a quick question in regards to the interaction of companions and the Shaman class.

Specifically, if I create a first level Druid with an animal companion or a first level hunter and then multiclass into the Shaman class, can that companion effectively become my Spirit Animal?

I ask because I do not like the limitations on the wizard familiar table and I think a Shaman with a Spirit Wolf companion would make for an excellent combination in my opinion.

I know there is already a Spirit that will grant a companion at level nine I think (need reference) but I'd like to begin early for lore and story development.

Thanks in advance!

Animal companion and shaman familiar levels do not stack. However, many GMs will not have a problem with refluffing your familiar into whatever form you want as long as you don't change anything mechanically.

[Serisan]

In Society, I don't believe so. In a home game, ask the GM. IMO, the Shaman class is not going to allow the AC to progress as an AC via the Spirit Animal class feature, which is probably fine because the Shaman can do everything already.

[Chevallaine]

Thanks for your answers so far, but allow me to be a little more specific...

If I were to multiclass between say the Hunter and the Shaman evenly so that say after ten levels I'm a 5/5. As a hunter my pet will have grown stronger. But for game purposes could I just state that the wolf (for example) is my Spirit Animal? That way I don't have to mess with a familiar and a companion? As a result I'd understand that if my pet dies it will affect both of my classes evenly.

Even if I need my GM's approval first, does this sound like a fair/balanced thing to do?