Animal Companions, Increase in HD, and Ability Points

[youspoonybard]

Say I take a horse (3 HD) as my animal companion.

I then gain 2 levels, and I get to add 2 HD to that companion.

Does the animal get an ability increase, since it's past 4 HD?

If it does, can I put that point in int?

 

[Witness]

Well, I don't have the revised MM, but I'm looking at the 3.5 SRD and the Animal Companion's section specifically mentions that the extra HD effects BAB, saves, skill points and bonus feats. Considering that Companion's gain an inherent bonus to Str and Dex, and that no other ability bonuses are mentioned, I would say that they don't get any other ability increases.

 

[fba827]

just adding a the obligatory "I second that" (referring to Witness' statement)

 

[youspoonybard]

I did see that...I was wondering if that refered to the fact in 3.0 that animals did not increase their skill points, and got feats at a different rate.

Hmmm...well, thanks for the input!

 

[Brekki]

All creatures get feats and stat increases at 1/3 and 1/4 levels, so animal companions should also get them.

The problem is that once you make the companions Int 3 or higher, it is no longer an animal, but a magical beast, so get's kicked out of all the companion goodies.

 

[youspoonybard]

Yeah, that's what I figured, I was just curious.

Thanks!