Druid Animal Companion advancement

[Asmor]

Hey, starting a new game with 5th level characters, and have one player is playing a druid. He wants an eagle animal companion. Since he's 5th level, his companion gets +2 HD. What I'm wondering is whether or not it affect the eagle's size or not; an eagle that advances to 2-3 HD is supposed to be medium, not small, but at the same time this isn't just normal HD gained in the wild, it's (assumably) a magical side effect of being an animal companion to a powerful druid.

Oh, as long as I'm asking here, have the advancement rules chanat all since 3E? This is my first experience with 3.5. I wrote a program to tell me what happens when a creature advances, does this look correct?

(assuming it's still small)
+2d8+2 (+11 hp)
Stats: STR: +0 DEX: 0 CON: +0
Initiative: 0
Saves: F+1/R+1/W+1
AC: +0
Skill points gained: +0
Feats gained: +0
Bonus to attack: +2
Bonus to damage: +0

(or if it becomes medium)
+2d8+2 (+11 hp)
Stats: STR: +4 DEX: -2 CON: +0
Initiative: -1
Saves: F+1/R+0/W+1
AC: -2
Skill points gained: +0
Feats gained: +0
Bonus to attack: +3
Bonus to damage: +2

Oh, and one final question... When it says an eagle has a +8 racial bonus in spot, is that factored into its stats (it lists Spot +14 in skills) or added on (for a total of +22)

 

[Thanee]

Bonus hit dice do not change size. They are more like a mystical bonus, not due to aging.

No idea, if there have been any changes. Just check the SRD or Monster Manual for advancement rules.

The +14 Spot should already include the +8 racial bonus.

Bye
Thanee

 

[Asmor]

Bonus hit dice do not change size. They are more like a mystical bonus, not due to aging.

No idea, if there have been any changes. Just check the SRD or Monster Manual for advancement rules.

The +14 Spot should already include the +8 racial bonus.

Bye
Thanee

Thanks a lot!