Advancing Animal Companions

[KnowTheToe]

I don't have my books with me, what lvl does a druid need to be for a dire wolf companion?

 

[Numion]

But .... !!!!
If you ever plan to awaken that animal don't advance it !
As awakened animal (now magical beast) it gains ability points, HD and it's intelligent enough to take class-levels. So if your wolf (1HD) becomes awakened it is a 3HD Magical Beast. Now he can take a level as ranger or fighter and gets all benefits like a character at said level (feats, skillpoints, BAB, class abilities, savingthrows ...). And you can talk to him because he is able to speak one or more languages (No more speak with animals).
Bye

Do ther rules say that intelligence equals ability to take class levels? Many creatures with some intelligence have advancement by HD instead of class levels. I wouldn't allow awakened animal to take levels..

And anyway it would then take a share of the groups experience, since it needed it to raise levels.

 

[isoChron]

Yes, it takes the share of XP.

I think I remember the fact that creatures can take class levels was mentioned in the first unofficial errata on En-World homepage. Not sure, but I think it was Monte Cook who said so. Whatever, why shouldn't a magical beast with say INT14 not take a class level, a fighter maybe.

(In our group the awakened wolf took Ranger and now helps out with tracking by scent if the Druid fails ... seldom . He can't use TWF or most skills like climbing a rope or such but there is always spot, listen, search, wilderness lore ... maybe even diplomacy )

Even if it doesn't class levels it's far better to advance as magical beast than as animal.
HD d10 instead of d8.
Skillpoints +1 per HD instead of 0/HD. (+INT-Bonus!)
Feats +1 per 4 HD instead of 0/HD.
Attackbonus (as fighter) instead of (as cleric).

So why not awaken your animal ? (Only because of "animal growth" ?)

BYE

 

[isoChron]

EDIT: grrrr double post