Cohort rules

[Storyteller01]

Going 3.0 here...

The original Leadreship feat had you establish a leadership score (your level + Cha Mod + blah blah). Your cohort couldn't have a CR higher than said score or have a CR equal to your level.

I'd probably add two the the HD, with that critters abilities.

 

[apesamongus]

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

Nope, that would be if the creature was listed with LA +0 (which quite a few are). Those listed with a LA - are normally creatures that either have LA that would push their total over 20 (given that there are epic rules in the SRD, I'm not sure why this is the case) or for creatures they think (for whatever reason) would make poor characters.

Now, given that that claw guy only has 6 HD and not that many powers, I'm guessing he falls into category 2. I also agree that that is a mistake, because he does seem a fine cohort for a necro.

So, you'll have to figure out LA on your own from the rules presented in SS.

 

[Lasher Dragon]

Yeah, it says LA -

The boneclaw has 10 HD - here's a link to it

http://www.wizards.com/default.asp?x=dnd/ex/20040905a&page=2

 

[Lord Pendragon]

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?

No. Your DM assigns an LA. Were I the DM, it would be quite a high LA at that. But for your sake, I hope you get what you want.

Edit to add: I believe that LA: -- usually means the creature's LA would place it above 20th-level, and therefore unplayable in a non-epic game, though I could be mistaken here.

 

[Kershek]

I would think that, if there is LA -, then that creature is not meant to be a PC class. In the end, it's up to the DM as to how to handle it.

 

[Aust Diamondew]

Trying using an ECL calculator (just do a google search to find one) to estimate its ECL.

 

[apesamongus]

Edit to add: I believe that LA: -- usually means the creature's LA would place it above 20th-level, and therefore unplayable in a non-epic game, though I could be mistaken here.

I was thinking that it would be less, but then I got +9 (19 with the 10 HD) after doing a really conservative estimation, so I'm guessing that one would run you into epic levels - which is really funny given that it's a CR 5 creature.

 

[Lasher Dragon]

That's what messes with me... yeah it has some cool abilities, but it's not like it has energy drain, heck it doesn't even do that much damage... 2d6+7 and that's WITH 2 power attack. I think the biggest advantages are of course it's insane reach, and that Unhloy Toughness gives it 40 extra hitpoints.

LOL @ having to be an epic level PC to get a CR5 cohort

 

[kigmatzomat]

The Undead Leadership of the Pale Master in T&B is not quite the same as traditional leadership since it doesn't give you any followers. I *think* that the PM can have any creature it can control as a Cohort.

 

[Lasher Dragon]

Well in T&B it was incredibly simple, was called Undead Vassal instead of cohort, and yes basically anything the PM could summon could be his vassal. Now they went and made it extremely complicated (in my eyes).