Here is a question

[Tinker Gnome]

If you were to put a headband of intellect +5 on an animal. Would it become sentinent? ASnd be able to take class levels. Or course if it did, as soon as the headband was removed it would become of animal intelligence again.

 

[Darklone]

That's why I woudn't allow it.

 

[Camarath]

Is there a rule that creatures with Intelligence scores of less than 3 can't take class levels?

 

[Altamont Ravenard]

There is a rule that says that player characters shouldn't have an intelligence below 3.

AR

 

[shilsen]

Is there a rule that creatures with Intelligence scores of less than 3 can't take class levels?

The 3.5 DMG (pg.172) says that creatures with an Intelligence score less than 3 are not playable characters", but I can't recall a specific reference to minimum Int required to take class levels.

 

[Grazzt]

That's why I woudn't allow it.

I'm with you. I wouldnt allow it either.

 

[the Jester]

Animals with levels? Why not?

What about the trained war elephant with a level of fighter? Or the abused dog with a level of barbarian? Or the animal touched by nature with a level of druid?

Classed animals are a great way to add interesting flavor to an encounter.

 

[Altamont Ravenard]

Was there ever a rule that said that in order for an animal to take class levels, it had to be Awakened? I'm guessing not, but just wondering...

AR

 

[Tinker Gnome]

Well, no answer yet. I am asking this, because it seems like something my players might try.

 

[der_kluge]

Hey, if your players want to put a +5 headband of intellect on the party dog, so be it. More power to 'em, I say.

Thing is, it's just a *really* smart dog (or whatever) at that point. Intelligence points aren't retroactive like Con is. So, whereas an increase in Con automatically recalculates hit points for every level, an increase in Int doesn't automatically add Skill points. So, a Dog with a 5 Int still wouldn't be able to speak (no vocal ability to do so, anyway), and even if it *could* speak, it doesn't speak the language since animals don't start with any language skills.

So, if the players did that in *my* game, the dog (or whatever, again) would look at them with contempt, and then run the heck away, taking their headband with it. It doesn't automatically make them their friend, either. The dog might decide that it no longer wishes to be enslaved as their pet, and is going to seek its fortunes elsewhere.

Or, it might wait until the party is asleep, steal some of their rations, and then leave under the cover of darkness.

In either case, it'd be a good way to teach the players a valuable lesson: don't give animals expensive magic items.