I've been digging around but haven't seen anything particularly definitive. And perhaps it's because the secret sauce only works at low levels but here's the situation...
Situation:
A low level party (levels 1-2) buy a Gaurd Dog who's done well for itself as a companion. It's not an animal companion or anything with advancement rules. They've all leveled up now a few more times (levels 4+) and the question has come up... when does Leroy J. Brown (Yes, we made the mistake of naming the dog) advance?
In general the RAW seems to indicate never, the golden rule says whenever the DM says so. And there are suggestions about the leadership feat, which doesn't even become an option until someone is level 7, and seems to be overkill.
And then there is the "well we could split the XP for +1 player taking away from the group but benefiting the dog"... (This seems to penalize the party more than help the dog, especially since it will certainly die at some point as things get tougher)
Questions:
1. What sort of advancement options are there RAW?
2. What sort of advancement options do people feel comfortable with that don't cut into what Druids/Hunters/etc have, but also don't penalize the group?
They can pay to get the dog battle trained, or a PC with ranks in Handle Animal can teach the dog new tricks.
Awaken the dog?
They can pay to get the dog battle trained, or a PC with ranks in Handle Animal can teach the dog new tricks.
Awaken the dog?
As a guard dog it came battle trained...
Guard Dog: This Small, combat-trained dog is bred for battle; breeders favor strength, a thick body, and a low center of gravity. Guard dogs are sold in most large cities and some cultures use them for sport fighting or in some armies' special infantry.
...unless you're referencing something in addition to what we see in Handle Animal.
Awaken is interesting, though it's even farther in the future than leadership (Awaken: 2k Gold & Druid lvl9 to cast the lvl5 spell). But it doesn't quite scratch the itch we're looking for.
I appreciate the reply, and I don't want to come across as dismissive (I hadn't thought of awaken, it's a good suggestion). But we're looking more specifically about how does the animal advance through it's XP or equivalent... Specifically if/when might it gain additional hit dice/points, and or stats.
Barding and training may be the only RAW growth for a non-class companion... but I wanted to ask the community in case we've missed something, and if someone has good suggestions on fair house rules for such a situation.
Yeah, it's a good question and sent me searching. Those are the things I found.
Only other RAW way I see is if one of your PCs takes a dip in a pet class and takes on the dog as their animal companion, mount, or familiar.
If you're willing to houserule it anyways, you could Awaken the dog via hand of god (something magical happens in a dungeon). Then the dog could gain class levels :)
and dogs are super loyal to a fault by nature, so there isn't the danger of the dog leaving the PCs to go on his own adventure.
Now I want to run a Homeward Bound campaign....
As far as I'm aware, there aren't rules for this explicitly.
I would run it by making the dog have levels in something like fighter or barbarian and keep it two levels below the party.
In general, it just doesn't advance. This keeps hirelings/purchased pets from stepping on the toes of animal companions and cohorts. It also accounts for the highly debatable idea that it simply doesn't have the learning capability to advance meaningfully.
If you want it to advance over time, give it extra animal hit dice unless and until it reaches 3 Intelligence. At that point, fighter, barbarian, or maybe brawler or slayer levels seem appropriate. Just make sure it stays far behind the PCs--maybe 3 hit dice behind.
You can use a wish to give it more hit points.
You can equip it with a belt of con to increase its hit points.
You can cast spells on it to protect it somewhat.
Otherwise, expect to buy more dogs as you level up.
If you care for the dog that much, give it to a peasant that needs guarding long term.
You can buy hardier animals. I suggest investing in Handle Animals.
/cevah
If you care for the dog that much, give it to a peasant that needs guarding long term.
Love this suggestion; Plus we can always say he's living a happy life up state on a farm... and the uninitiated will assume it's a euphemism for he died and we don't talk about it. :P
Thanks everyone for all the suggestions.