Druid Animal Companion and xp

[Azazu]

If my group just fought a mid level druid with a wolf companion is the wolf just considered part of the druid or dose it count for seperate xp as a seperate monster.

If so what CR do i asign it for xp.

The druid in question was 12th level so the wolf was a 10 hd animal. Does its CR get bumped up due to its companion status

thanks

 

[kpdezend]

If my group just fought a mid level druid with a wolf companion is the wolf just considered part of the druid or dose it count for seperate xp as a seperate monster.

If so what CR do i asign it for xp.

The druid in question was 12th level so the wolf was a 10 hd animal. Does its CR get bumped up due to its companion status

thanks

I would say no. The companion is part of the difficulty of fighting a druid.

- Kent -

 

[DM2]

Agreed. The animal companion is just a class feature of the druid, and is part of the druid's CR.

DM2

 

[Velmont]

If a monster appear in a combat as a class ability (companions or familiar), as a feat (improved familiar) or as a spell (summon monster), than it should not give XP by themselves. It is part of a wizard with Improved familiar to have a small fire elemental as familiar, or part of a druid to have a companion or part of a cleric to have his summon arrowhack.

I would exclude two exceptions from this:

Leadership feat. An NPC shouldn't have this feat, I find it a bit ridiculous, as I prefer to set a role-play reason why two villain team up, but if a villain have a cohort, the cohort should be counted for XP.

Planar Binding: All such spells allow to summon great monsters that can shift the balance of a battle. They can be prepared many day in advance, so they don't affect the wizards spells slots of the day that follow the casting. Even Gated monsters should be counted, as they can be very strong and generally, you don't give a damn to the XP of a villain, but if you plan that the villain will be a long term NPC and each gates will weaken him on next encounter, you may choose not to count the XP of the monster gated.

 

[jgsugden]

I've adopted a house rule that works pretty well. The PCs get experience for called creatures (creatures brought in that will be around for a while). Generally, PCs do not get experience for allies (cohorts, followers, companions, familiars, special mounts or summoned creatures).

PCs do get experience for allies (cohorts, followers, companions, familiars, special mounts or summoned creatures) if:

1.) The ally is encountered apart from the 'owner' (separate),

2.) The 'owner' will have a chance to replace the ally (call a new animal companion, rememorize the summon spell, locate a new cohort, etc ...) and the PCs, have little chance to stop him before then (replacable), or

3.) The ally is of a CR equal to or greater than the effective party level (a substantial challenge).

When encountered in these three circumstances, the ally seems to be worth experience to me. Especially under rule #2.