Animal Companion Advancement

[Stalker0]

I've got a druid with a 2HD wolf at 1st level. He wants the wolf to be his only animal companion. I was wondering, once he gets to 3rd level, and 3HD of creatures, will the wolf upgrade to 3HD? 4th level to 4HD and so forth?

 

[Celebrim]

Not unless your DM allows this sort of thing, which he is under no obligation to do. There are no official rules regarding this situation, which in general means that advancement doesn't happen.

I personally feel that animal companions ought to advance, not because it is particularly realistic, but because it makes for a better story to keep the same companion as long as possible. Heck, I'd encourage my players to advance their companion and awaken it as early as possible so that I could start giving it experience points towards the purchase of class levels.

 

[Stalker0]

Well I'm the DM, and since I'm eventually allowing him to bond to his campanion as a familiar (wizard levels plus improved familar feat) I think I'll allow it to advacement by level, and then start advancing as a familar once it gets there.

 

[Celebrim]

Heh. Well if we are both DM's here, why are you asking permission?

Go forth into brave new stories!

 

[Buddha the DM]

There is stuff regarding animal companion advancement in the Masters of the Wild classbook from WotC.