Awakening a druid's animal companion...
- Thread starter Dark Dragon
- Start date
UltimaGabe
First Post
d20Dwarf said:
It's one thing to have a near-mindless brute on your side for an hour- and it's a completely different thing to always have an intelligent monster on your side with the deadliness of a Fighter at least twice its CR. If you're looking for a few of the benefits, remember that you can take an awakened Tyrannosaurus on a Trek through the Underdark with you. If a First-level Druid were to do that, once the hour was up, he'd wind up inside the belly of a very confused T-Rex.
Epametheus
First Post
Eh, it's just an awakened tyrranosaur. It might do 1/3 as much damage as the 18th level fighter. It would've been a serious problem is Animal Growth doubled the critter's HD like it did in 3.0, but it doesn't do that anymore.
At those levels, the party's wizard could stomp it with a Shapechange spell. Actually, the druid himself could stomp it in melee combat, too.
I do kinda feel sorry for non-spellcasters at high levels. It's too easy for the dedicated spellcasters to match them and top them.
At those levels, the party's wizard could stomp it with a Shapechange spell. Actually, the druid himself could stomp it in melee combat, too.
I do kinda feel sorry for non-spellcasters at high levels. It's too easy for the dedicated spellcasters to match them and top them.
The awakened T rex would whomp a "naked" 18th level fighter. He'll have more than twice as many hp, an AC that is 4 points higher, a 10' Reach, and a Bite +22 melee (3d6+13) followed by Grapple check +32 and Swallow Whole.
Obviously, for a Ftr18 you'd have to take equipment into account as well. But keep in mind that the T Rex can wear equipment too! Barding is going to be a little pricey at first, but enchantments are the same price. Weapons? With a Necklace of Natural Weapons, the T Rex can get all the same weapon enhancements as the Ftr. How about adding a 3d6 tailblade as well? Or give him a Huge spiked chain with the Opposable enhancement from MotW: 3d6+14 with a Reach of 0'-20'
Obviously, for a Ftr18 you'd have to take equipment into account as well. But keep in mind that the T Rex can wear equipment too! Barding is going to be a little pricey at first, but enchantments are the same price. Weapons? With a Necklace of Natural Weapons, the T Rex can get all the same weapon enhancements as the Ftr. How about adding a 3d6 tailblade as well? Or give him a Huge spiked chain with the Opposable enhancement from MotW: 3d6+14 with a Reach of 0'-20'
Another example: Awakened Dire Ape as an animal companion to a Drd18:
15d8+30 (101hp)
AC 29 (–1 size, +4 Dex, +4 chain shirt, +12 natural)
10' Reach
BAB +11/+6/+1
SA: Rend 2d6+12
SQ: Darkvision 60', low-light vision, scent, link, share spells, evasion, devotion, multiattack
Full Attack: 2 claws +16 melee (1d6+8) and bite +14 melee (1d8+4)
Abilities: Str 26, Dex 19, Con 14, Int 10, Wis 12, Cha 9
That's an entirely non-magical AC 29, and the same hp and a better attack sequence than a 17th level Ftr. Entirely empty-handed mind you! And because it's an ape he can use all the same equipment the Ftr can: Large greatsword 3d6+12, 20' reach 2d6+12 large spiked chain, potions, rings, whatever...
True, the Ftr will have 9 more feats. But the Ape gets other cool benefits, such as Darkvision, Evasion, Rend, Share Spells, Multiattack, etc...
15d8+30 (101hp)
AC 29 (–1 size, +4 Dex, +4 chain shirt, +12 natural)
10' Reach
BAB +11/+6/+1
SA: Rend 2d6+12
SQ: Darkvision 60', low-light vision, scent, link, share spells, evasion, devotion, multiattack
Full Attack: 2 claws +16 melee (1d6+8) and bite +14 melee (1d8+4)
Abilities: Str 26, Dex 19, Con 14, Int 10, Wis 12, Cha 9
That's an entirely non-magical AC 29, and the same hp and a better attack sequence than a 17th level Ftr. Entirely empty-handed mind you! And because it's an ape he can use all the same equipment the Ftr can: Large greatsword 3d6+12, 20' reach 2d6+12 large spiked chain, potions, rings, whatever...
True, the Ftr will have 9 more feats. But the Ape gets other cool benefits, such as Darkvision, Evasion, Rend, Share Spells, Multiattack, etc...
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