Can a wolf take class levels without being awakened?
- Thread starter Stalker0
- Start date
No, because an animal companion wouldn't naturally get an opportunity to increase its Int score.
Animal companions don't get the "one every four HD" ability score bumps that a normal animal would. As their druid (or ranger) friend advances in level, the animal companion gains HD, as well as increases in Str and Dex, as illustrated in this chart from the "Animal Companion" section of the Druid class description:
Class Level Bonus HD Natural Armor Adj. Str/Dex Adj. Bonus Tricks Special
1st–2nd +0 +0 +0 1 Link, share spells
3rd–5th +2 +2 +1 2 Evasion
6th–8th +4 +4 +2 3 Devotion
9th–11th +6 +6 +3 4 Multiattack
12th–14th +8 +8 +4 5
15th–17th +10 +10 +5 6 Improved evasion
18th–20th +12 +12 +6 7
Later on, in that same section, it says:
"Bonus HD: Extra eight-sided (d8) Hit Dice, each of which gains a Constitution modifier, as normal. Remember that extra Hit Dice improve the animal companion’s base attack and base save bonuses. An animal companion’s base attack bonus is the same as that of a druid of a level equal to the animal’s HD. An animal companion has good Fortitude and Reflex saves (treat it as a character whose level equals the animal’s HD). An animal companion gains additional skill points and feats for bonus HD as normal for advancing a monster’s Hit Dice."
Note that that paragraph very specifically details what the animal companion gains as he gains additional HD, and ability score increases aren't among them.
Animal companions don't get the "one every four HD" ability score bumps that a normal animal would. As their druid (or ranger) friend advances in level, the animal companion gains HD, as well as increases in Str and Dex, as illustrated in this chart from the "Animal Companion" section of the Druid class description:
Class Level Bonus HD Natural Armor Adj. Str/Dex Adj. Bonus Tricks Special
1st–2nd +0 +0 +0 1 Link, share spells
3rd–5th +2 +2 +1 2 Evasion
6th–8th +4 +4 +2 3 Devotion
9th–11th +6 +6 +3 4 Multiattack
12th–14th +8 +8 +4 5
15th–17th +10 +10 +5 6 Improved evasion
18th–20th +12 +12 +6 7
Later on, in that same section, it says:
"Bonus HD: Extra eight-sided (d8) Hit Dice, each of which gains a Constitution modifier, as normal. Remember that extra Hit Dice improve the animal companion’s base attack and base save bonuses. An animal companion’s base attack bonus is the same as that of a druid of a level equal to the animal’s HD. An animal companion has good Fortitude and Reflex saves (treat it as a character whose level equals the animal’s HD). An animal companion gains additional skill points and feats for bonus HD as normal for advancing a monster’s Hit Dice."
Note that that paragraph very specifically details what the animal companion gains as he gains additional HD, and ability score increases aren't among them.
atom crash
First Post
Since an animal has an Int of 1 or 2, if the Wolf did manage to have its Int increased to 3 it would no longer be an animal and thus no longer qualify as an animal companion.
It would now have to be a cohort and fall under jurisdiction of the Leadership feat.
It would now have to be a cohort and fall under jurisdiction of the Leadership feat.
the Jester
Legend
I've even allowed normal animals to take class levels.
In my halfling campaign, a longtime riding dog got to take a fighter level. I let his kobold rider (who had a str 1
) invest 1000 xp in him to do that once the kobold himself was about, hmm, 5th level?
In my low-magic campaign, the knight class that replaces the paladin gets to give his bonded mount class levels every few levels.
In my halfling campaign, a longtime riding dog got to take a fighter level. I let his kobold rider (who had a str 1
) invest 1000 xp in him to do that once the kobold himself was about, hmm, 5th level? In my low-magic campaign, the knight class that replaces the paladin gets to give his bonded mount class levels every few levels.
Kahuna Burger
First Post
I had an unawakened, 2 int dog with druid levels once. Man was that fun. 
ok so the druid in our party has a Dire Wolf as an Animal C. He casted awakwen on it and has some INSANE stats now. Im asking how experience would work for the wolf b/c the druid is very fond of his wolf and wants to make it stronger. So is there a way to calculate Experience for the wolf to let it gain even more HD? Thanks in advance
Infiniti2000
First Post
An animal companion that has been awakened is no longer an animal companion. You can then treat it like any other NPC, like a cohort (assuming Leadership), or have it leave the group. But, it is no longer an animal companion.
Animal companions don't gain XP so they can never gain class levels.
Animal companions don't gain XP so they can never gain class levels.
ok ok ok my fault. I just realised that he is no longer considered an Animal C.
I would still like to know how the awakened wolf would receive EXP. Would his level be based off of how many HD he has? Or would we just start him at first level?\
EDIT : 100th post!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I would still like to know how the awakened wolf would receive EXP. Would his level be based off of how many HD he has? Or would we just start him at first level?\
EDIT : 100th post!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Last edited:
IcyCool
First Post
LordBOB said:
That's alot of smileys. You sure you used enough?
You would treat it like any other ECL creature. Unfortunately, the Awaken spell doesn't give a LA, so you'd have to wing that. Let's say +3 for a Dire Wolf. So, you'd have a standard MM Dire Wolf (as he can't have any of the benefits of being an animal companion) with 2 additional HD. You'd add the number of HD he has, plus the +3 level adjustment, to get his current ECL. After that, you add class levels. How many HD does a standard Dire Wolf have?
