Druids and advanced animals

[Urbannen]

This has probably been discussed before, but do animal companions increase in size as per the MM when the druid advances?

Can druids choose larger, "advanced" forms of animals for their wildshape, as long as they have the requisite levels?

These questions are my DM who has a new druid in the group.

 

[sithramir]

Animal Companions due not gain in size based on the MM for animal progressions. They simply gain more HD for hps and the like and other bonus's for being the companion of the druid.

Druids wild shape works like polymorph in that it takes a "standard" version of that monster so you can't take advanced monsters. However you can do things like dire bat instead of a bat (which is larger) as long a syou have enough character levels to meet the HD=character level requirements

 

[mikebr99]

Animal Companions due not gain in size based on the MM for animal progressions. They simply gain more HD for hps and the like and other bonus's for being the companion of the druid.

Druids wild shape works like polymorph in that it takes a "standard" version of that monster so you can't take advanced monsters. However you can do things like dire bat instead of a bat (which is larger) as long a syou have enough character levels to meet the HD=character level requirements

What he said...

And check with your DM re: MOTW - Legendary Animal shapes.


Mike

 

[mattdm]

Druids wild shape works like polymorph in that it takes a "standard" version of that monster so you can't take advanced monsters. However you can do things like dire bat instead of a bat (which is larger) as long a syou have enough character levels to meet the HD=character level requirements

Where does either polymorph or wild shape say that you can't advance an animal to match your HD limit? The HD limit is the only thing mentioned, and that serves to keep the balance, as does the fact that creatures themselves have a limit to their advancements. What's so special about the bottom end of the progression?

Take a look particularly at Shark -- in the cases where there is a non-standard size advancement, the MM breaks out the sizes into different entries. Otherwise, it doesn't bother. There's no reason, though, that you should only be able to take the larger forms of creatures which are the exceptions to the standard.

 

[Nail]

This has probably been discussed before, but do animal companions increase in size as per the MM when the druid advances?

Check here: http://www.enworld.org/forums/showthread.php?t=64318&highlight=Animal+Companion

 

[Olgar Shiverstone]

See also Sage Advice, Dragon 314.

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