I have been toying with the idea of a Raven Master Ranger. There's something thematically about it that really intrigues me. But I'm struggling with the Raven's build.
The Raven is extremely weak, so I was trying to brainstorm ways for it to be useful in combat without putting too big a target on its back. All the guides focus on heavy hitting damage dealing animal companions (another deinonychus build? yawn).
So I thought, is there any reason I can't give it item mastery feats?
1 - It starts with Intelligence of 3, so it can take any skill (including use magic device).
2 - It speaks a language.
3 - Animal Companions have good Fort gain.
4 - ??
As far as options, I was thinking:
1 - Curative Mastery - so I could teach it the trick "Heal (Target)!" Theoretically I could eventually give it the achievement feat "Healer's Touch" to further boost these heals (On average, using Cure Light Wounds with CL 5, that's 106 casts and it gets the achievement - aka 2 CLW wands - I feel like a party will usually go through 2 CLW wands by about level 7 or 8 anyway)
2 - Maybe Energy Mastery? (Would prevent the Healer's Touch achievement feat, above) I could teach it the trick "Flame (target)" or "Lighting (target)."
3 - Force Shield Mastery - Teach it the trick "Shield (Target)"
Any other ideas for feats I could give an otherwise very weak animal companion (that at least had Flight), that wont put too big of a target on its back?
I was also thinking maybe wands, scrolls, and getting Skill Focus (UMD) or something? Is there any way to give it spell-like abilities that I wont have to spend resources on?
I'd love some more creative suggestions and out of the box ideas.
**Edited to add: Precocious Archetype would give it 5 Int, 18 Wisdom, and 8 Charisma at level 4.
