Cohort rules

[Lasher Dragon]

Can anyone explain to me the process of acquiring a cohort? I have looked through the PH/DMG and I'm sure I'm just missing something, but I am clueless as to the mechanics of acquiring a cohort. Do I get to pick what my cohort is, within the ECL/HD limit or whatever? Subject of course to DM's approval.

To clarify, I have a Pale Master that will be getting a cohort next level, so I am trying to plan ahead. I would LIKE to have a Boneclaw as my cohort... large size, 20' reach - seems perfect for protecting a caster to me. Is this feasible?

 

[Fangor the Fierce]

First of all, Leadership feat must be taken for a cohort to be acquired. It's listed in the PHB, under Feats section. Secondly, there is a formula in the DMG that shows what level of Cohort you can acquire. I believe page 104 or 140....somewhere around there. But the PHB tells you what page in the feat section.

Usually, it's a cohort that is two levels lower than your current level, and can never be closer to you than that. So if you then went another level up, it's easier to assume the cohort rises a level as well.

 

[Lasher Dragon]

The Pale Master gains the benefit of the Undead Leadership feat for acquiring his cohort, so that much is taken care of. I still don't understand if I get my choice.

 

[dcollins]

The Leadership feat and handling of Cohorts are very much up to how the DM wants to play it, which is why they put the description of that feat in the DMG. Personally, I've done it different ways in the past -- for example (as DM), take a general wish from the player, stat up the Cohort, introduce it as an NPC over a few sessions, then hand it off to the player. I'm sure many DMs would just prefer to have the player make it up entirely as a time-saver.

 

[Lasher Dragon]

Ahhh cool. I think the Boneclaw would make the perfect caster cohort. That 20 ft. reach is just insane

Here's to hoping my DM allows it

 

[kigmatzomat]

IIRC the PaleMaster has summon undead abilities. It's not beyond the realm of possibility that you would actually summon your cohort. Depending on the GM it may require you some time to research the exact ritual but other than time it should have no cost.

Alternately the DM may require you to find one of these Boneclaws and "adopt" it in person.

BTW, I'm not familiar with Boneclaws. Which book are they in?

 

[Lasher Dragon]

They are in MM3 - that have Combat Reflexes, Improved Init, Improved Natural Attack and Power Attack. They have an 18 Dex, so with 20 ft. reach they get 5 AoO per round. They get +2 turn resistance and DR 5/bludgeoning. Darkvision 60. Undead traits, immunity to cold. Unholy Toughness - they get bonus hp = CHA modifier X hit dice. It has a 19 CHA.

If you go to Wizards website they have an awesome wallpaper for MM3 that has the Boneclaw.

What's cool is that the 20 ft. reach comes from their claws, which can shoot out (extend, not detach) instantly as part of an attack.

I love it LOL

 

[apesamongus]

The only problem I see is that they lack a level adjustment, so there is no way to tell what level you would need to be to take one as a cohort.

 

[Lasher Dragon]

Yeah I noticed that. Seems to me that you would just go by HD then, but of course I am trying to see the bright side hehehe

 

[Lasher Dragon]

Can anyone tell me what one would do when trying to make a monster a cohort that has no listed LA? Do I just go by HD?