Best Animal Companion Choice

[Rystil Arden]

I tend to draw a different conclusion from Practiced Spellcaster. After all, Practiced Spellcaster offers nothing to the full-HD spellcaster. If we assume that Natural Bond is meant to fill the same function (bring a class feature from a multiclassed character up to full-HD level,) then why should it provide benefit to the full spellcaster? After all, Practiced Spellcaster, the first precedent-setting feat in this vein, doesn't.

I believe that a FAQ entry for Natural Bond would be different. Caster Level interacts with spellcasting differently than class level interacts with the druid's companion, so simply porting over a ruling isn't going to necessarily be accurate.

Actually, Practised Spellcaster can offer a benefit to a full caster in a variety of situations, ranging from Wild Mage to counteracting other abilities that penalise caster level as a balancing factor.

 

[Lord Pendragon]

Actually, Practised Spellcaster can offer a benefit to a full caster in a variety of situations, ranging from Wild Mage to counteracting other abilities that penalise caster level as a balancing factor.

I'm not familiar with the Wild Mage. And I had thought of the "counteracting" factor (it was brought up earlier wrt negative levels), but is far too small a benefit to really be considered here, at least IMO.

Edit to add: I'd like to hear more about the "variety of situations" you mention.

 

[Hypersmurf]

Actually, Practised Spellcaster can offer a benefit to a full caster in a variety of situations, ranging from Wild Mage to counteracting other abilities that penalise caster level as a balancing factor.

Yup - I've got a Cleric cohort with the Mageslayer feat (prevents people you threaten from casting defensively). Mageslayer imposes a -4 penalty to caster level; Practised Spellcaster lets him retain his full caster level.

-Hyp.

 

[winterwolf]

I would go with a wolf as opposed to a riding dog...no particular reason, I just like wolves .
After all, you can train it for riding too, and it gets the neat trip attack. If your DM allows you to use the feat to boost your animal companion, then you should definitly use the dire wolf...one of the best animals in the game, IMO...and you can still ride it.
You might be able to talk your DM into allowing you to use one of the legendary animals from Masters of the Wild (3.0...don't know if the 3.5 druid book has legendary animals), which would rock. Those are higher level critters though.

 

[Khaalis]

Well, just to throw in a late $0.01 worth here... if you want a really nice animal companion that can grow with the druid and you have access to MM3, go with the Fleshraker. it is a medium 4HD animal that could be used as a mount as well with some very nice stats. just a thought, but then I like the image of the Dino riding Halfling.

 

[Thanee]

...effective druid level...

I certainly understand the wording.

And I'm sure you understand what I meant up there...

Bye
Thanee

 

[Thanee]

Actually, Practised Spellcaster can offer a benefit to a full caster in a variety of situations, ranging from Wild Mage...

Nope, Practiced Spellcaster doesn't help with the Wild Mage.

Bye
Thanee

 

[Thanee]

Yup - I've got a Cleric cohort with the Mageslayer feat (prevents people you threaten from casting defensively). Mageslayer imposes a -4 penalty to caster level; Practised Spellcaster lets him retain his full caster level.

That's a fair comparison, to give you that, but there is still a big difference.

The benefits are unrelated or unassociated.

The 'better' animal companions have similar benefits already as you gain from advancing them as a druid. These are related or associated benefits. This way you actually exceed* what you are supposed to have at your level.

The above example with Mage Slayer only allows you to get up to the point, which your level suggests, but not beyond it.


* And don't come around saying, that your effective druid level does not exceed your class level/HD now. That's NOT what I mean!

Bye
Thanee

 

[Hypersmurf]

This way you actually exceed what you are supposed to have at your level.

I'm not looking at 'supposed to have'; I'm looking at 'permitted to have'.

-Hyp.

 

[Cherub]

Unless you're attached to the riding dog for roleplaying reasons, trade it for a regular wolf, as others mentioned. That 50ft. of movement is nothing to sneeze at.

A halfling druid with Mounted Combat and Mounted Archery riding a wolf and tossing Produce Flame is a mighty image indeed! Kinda like this one:

2 WORDS: KICKS ARSE!!