Building a Beastmaster

[Olgar Shiverstone]

Using current 3.5 rules (say WOTC sources to bound the rules set, I guess), how would you go about building a "Beastmaster" character whose flexibility and abilities stem from multiple animals? Think the title character from the movie of the same name, if it helps -- martial power of the leopard, reconnaissance capabilities of the hawk, stealth of weasels.

I've always felt that the animal companion rules changes from 3.0 to 3.5 have undermined the concept, since the druid can't have multiple animal companions (though she can train additional animals with the Handle Animal Skill, but they quickly become cannon fodder in D&D). How far can 3.5 rules take you? (I'm specifically looking for alternatives to the "just use the 3.0 druid/animal companion rules and MotW Beastmaster PrC" answer, which is the obvious one. Assume the DM is going by 3.5 compatible rulebooks only.)

 

[dvvega]

Without using a House Rule you can try the Beastmaster Prestige Class from Complete Adventurer.

It allows for multiple animal companions where each extra one is weaker than a standard one by a set number of levels. I think you can end up with 3 or 4 extra animal companions.

Note that the Beastmaster of movie/TV Series fame only had 3 animal companions but had a connection to any animal he encountered (Speak with Animals, Animal Handling) so that he could find out what was going on with them and calm them.

I would personally combine this class with a Totemist if possible so you could get the "powers of animals" from soulbinds.

 

[Hypersmurf]

Think the title character from the movie of the same name, if it helps -- martial power of the leopard, reconnaissance capabilities of the hawk, stealth of weasels.

CV's Beastmaster PrC fits this reasonably well - the leopard would be the 'primary' companion, while the others would be the weaker ones.

(though she can train additional animals with the Handle Animal Skill, but they quickly become cannon fodder in D&D).

This is the problem with CV's Beastmaster, unfortunately. I'm pretty sure (though I'm away from my books) that the secondart companions can't benefit from Natural Bond, which means that while your primary companion is a Force To Be Reckoned With, your other companions are just outclassed by... well, everything CR-Appropriate...

-Hyp.

 

[Ovistavin]

CV's Beastmaster PrC fits this reasonably well - the leopard would be the 'primary' companion, while the others would be the weaker ones.



This is the problem with CV's Beastmaster, unfortunately. I'm pretty sure (though I'm away from my books) that the secondart companions can't benefit from Natural Bond, which means that while your primary companion is a Force To Be Reckoned With, your other companions are just outclassed by... well, everything CR-Appropriate...

-Hyp.

Natural Bond doesn't have to be used on the primary companion. With the errata only one companion can benefit from it, but no where does is say which one.

 

[Hypersmurf]

Natural Bond doesn't have to be used on the primary companion. With the errata only one companion can benefit from it, but no where does is say which one.

Ah, true. That makes it a little less pointless

Especially since there are DMs who would dispute applying Natural Bond to the primary companion anyway, even if selected from a higher-level list...

-Hyp.

 

[glass]

The is also the Wild Cohort feat from the WotC web site. That helps with one, at least.

BTW, I have a character in a similar position. Can someone sumarise the Beastmaster PrC's requirements for me?


glass.

 

[Thanee]

Very low.

Bye
Thanee

 

[glass]

Very low.

Er, thanks...


glass.

 

[Klaus]

Handle Animal 8 ranks and (here's the real kick in the pants) Skill Focus (Handle Animal).

 

[Felix]

Instead of leveling up only one animal companion like the Druid does, count each of your levels as one druid level applying to one of your animal companions.

So, a 9th level druid...

Can have 1 wolf with +6 HD, +6 Natural Armor, +3 Str, and Multiattack
-or-
Can have 1 wolf with +4 HD, +4 Natural Armor, +2 Str, and Devotion [6 of your Druid levels]
and
1 Weasel with +2 HD, +2 Natural Armor, +1 Str, and Evasion [3 of your Druid levels]

Of course, this is going to water down your animal companions something awful for combat. But unless your druid spends a lot of time prepping the animal companion for combat, they're going to be useless anyway. So use your companions for things other than comabt, and you're ok. You don't need a +8 HD falcon to scout the enemy territory. A regular falcon will do just fine. I never did think that animal compaions were for combat... except for a 1st level when you get a wolf, of course.