Animal companion as a feat?

[Horwath]

Right now animal or other companions are limited to some classes and many are not that good in design.

What about general rule for simple companion?

Feat:
Animal companion:
+1 to any ability.
You create a bond with a single beast that is not hostile to you over a short rest.
you can only bond beasts that has HP equal or lower than 5 + 5×your level.
I.E. Warhorse can be tamed at 3rd level(20HP limit) as it has 19HPs.
your companions HPs are raise to your HP limit.
your companion uses your proficiency bonus instead of it's if it is higher.
your companion gains evasion.

you command your companion with Bonus action, or no action if companion only uses only Dodge, Dash and Disengage actions.
if you use your companion as a mount, you use it's movement instead of yours.

At DM's choice some monstrosities might be appropriate for this feat: worg, griffin, hippogryph, etc...

This would allow anyone to have a decent companion for a cost and also somewhat dependable mount at higher levels.

 

[Faolyn]

I would suggest that the companion simply use the sidekick classes. I would also suggest not giving the +1 to abilities, since getting the follower is a pretty big thing.

 

[dave2008]

I like the idea of a feat, but I am not sold on your implementation. However, I am not sure how to correct it.

 

[LuisCarlos17f]

Some times I have thought about a "monster ally class". A player can controll a second PC, a "monster pet" with a telepatic link with the first PC. With this the group is stronger, but also the distribution of the XPs reward would be like the "monster pet" being equivalent to an extra PC. But let's remember these "secondary characters" are practically nude and armless (but the natural weapons as hoozes, fangs and claws).

 

[Horwath]

I would suggest that the companion simply use the sidekick classes. I would also suggest not giving the +1 to abilities, since getting the follower is a pretty big thing.

I would not go for a full feat for something that can be easily lost.
and you can buy a mount, you can't buy a feat(not usually at least), paying half a feat for a glorified warhorse should be enough of a cost.

 

[Faolyn]

I would not go for a full feat for something that can be easily lost.
and you can buy a mount, you can't buy a feat(not usually at least), paying half a feat for a glorified warhorse should be enough of a cost.

What I was assuming is that if you're spending a feat, you could simply say that after a period of time (24 hours, 1 week, whatever), you can replace your companion with a new one. So if your companion dies, you can get a new one for free.

 

[Tales and Chronicles]

Beast Companion

• You have the ability to communicate in a limited manner with beasts. They can understand the meaning of your words, though you have no special ability to understand them in return beyond simple ideas. You have advantage on all Wisdom (Animal Handling) checks you make to influence them.
• The non-hostile beasts under your command have abilities and game statistics determined in part by your level. Your companion uses your proficiency bonus rather than its own. In addition to the areas where it normally uses its proficiency bonus, an animal companion also adds its proficiency bonus to its AC and to its damage rolls. The companion obeys your commands as best it can it acts on the your initiative, acting after you. You determine its actions.
• A creature bonded to you has the same number of HDs as you instead of its regular HP. On a short rest, it can spend one or more HDs to regain HP.

 

[bedir than]

I would suggest that it acts on the PC's initiative, acting after the PC.

 

[Horwath]

I would suggest that it acts on the PC's initiative, acting after the PC.

That would now be assumed for all companions, summons, etc. It's just easier to work that way.

 

[Horwath]

What I was assuming is that if you're spending a feat, you could simply say that after a period of time (24 hours, 1 week, whatever), you can replace your companion with a new one. So if your companion dies, you can get a new one for free.

there could always be an option to buy or to try find an animal in the wild.

But as many half feats give one 1st and one 2nd level spell per day, maybe simple summon would not be out of place once per day.

Maybe 1min cast so it cannot be used in combat for 2 HP pools worth of companions for cannon fodder.

 

[Stormonu]

Probably better as a boon than a feat, but then that falls more to a DM's say-so.

 

[aco175]

If you open it to everyone, why not just make it a background feature? You could have a second feat where you can make it a monstrosity and more HP.

 

[Horwath]

If you open it to everyone, why not just make it a background feature? You could have a second feat where you can make it a monstrosity and more HP.

it's an idea, but too much for a background. half a feat I believe is a good cost for a mount that will not die from one attack and contribute with some damage.

 

[Faolyn]

there could always be an option to buy or to try find an animal in the wild.

But as many half feats give one 1st and one 2nd level spell per day, maybe simple summon would not be out of place once per day.

Maybe 1min cast so it cannot be used in combat for 2 HP pools worth of companions for cannon fodder.

The difference here is that a spell has a single purpose, has to be directed by the caster, and, except for damage or healing, doesn't have a long-lasting effect (and both damage and healing can be undone... by healing or by inflicting new damage). An animal companion would, presumably, be permanent, be useful for multiple purposes, and would be an NPC. And it would be an NPC that could be very tough, either because its hp raises to match your own (as per your initial post) or because it takes a sidekick class (as per my suggestion).

 

[jgsugden]

If the PCs want to have an animal companion, they can befriend it and then train it / convince it to join them. This works just fine. No feat, class ability or other mechanical requirement - just good old fashioned role playing.

 

[Horwath]

If the PCs want to have an animal companion, they can befriend it and then train it / convince it to join them. This works just fine. No feat, class ability or other mechanical requirement - just good old fashioned role playing.

your roleplay will have no use when fireballs start falling on your 13HP animal.

 

[jgsugden]

your roleplay will have no use when fireballs start falling on your 13HP animal.

Sure it will. You get to role play sadness and guilt.