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<blockquote data-quote="Xeriar" data-source="post: 1222469" data-attributes="member: 4116">I roll as part of a house rule.&nbsp; I do, however, make sure they will not outshine the players in this regard (they might at low levels though).Gaining advancement HD is just fine - in fact better - than ditching companions, for both roleplaying purposes and it is in fact less powerful than getting a new critter.&nbsp; It helps keep more of an attachment. (edit: I am assuming the player means advancement HD and not real levels of any sort.&nbsp; IF he means real levels, slap him)Most cultures have developped forms of leather armor for their prized critters, including dogs, etc. (well, padded really, but this is D&amp;D).&nbsp; I would allow leather, but not hide or plate (too restrictive.&nbsp; Plate and plate barding were possible because of a very detailed understanding of human and horse anatomy, as well as some amazing mettallurgy skills.The scimitar is balanced with every other martial weapon and even one of the better ones.&nbsp; I've heard some claim that druids historically were allowed no weapons, save a staff.&nbsp; Not sure how accurate this is.I generally allow players to replace scimitar with one martial weapon of their choice (WHY is Ehlohnna's favored weapon the longsword if she's a goddess of druids!?)The most important rule about being flexible as a GM is that you do not give all the goodies to one class or person.If allow rolling for animal companions, roll familiar and warhorse stats too, for example.However, being flexible does require a good understanding of how the game gets balanced.&nbsp; A good GM will have this understanding, which is both an understanding of the rules and an intent to make sure everyone is having fun.If the player decides to glory hog with his twinked animal companion, take it away from him.&nbsp; He developes an allergic reaction to his armor and collapses, or something.&nbsp; It's one thing to get that extra inch, but to rub it in and take the mile...&nbsp; well.</blockquote>

[QUOTE="Xeriar, post: 1222469, member: 4116"] I roll as part of a house rule. I do, however, make sure they will not outshine the players in this regard (they might at low levels though). Gaining advancement HD is just fine - in fact better - than ditching companions, for both roleplaying purposes and it is in fact less powerful than getting a new critter. It helps keep more of an attachment. (edit: I am assuming the player means advancement HD and not real levels of any sort. IF he means real levels, slap him) Most cultures have developped forms of leather armor for their prized critters, including dogs, etc. (well, padded really, but this is D&D). I would allow leather, but not hide or plate (too restrictive. Plate and plate barding were possible because of a very detailed understanding of human and horse anatomy, as well as some amazing mettallurgy skills. The scimitar is balanced with every other martial weapon and even one of the better ones. I've heard some claim that druids historically were allowed no weapons, save a staff. Not sure how accurate this is. I generally allow players to replace scimitar with one martial weapon of their choice ([b]WHY [/b] is Ehlohnna's favored weapon the longsword if she's a goddess of druids!?) The most important rule about being flexible as a GM is that you do not give all the goodies to one class or person. If allow rolling for animal companions, roll familiar and warhorse stats too, for example. However, being flexible does require a good understanding of how the game gets balanced. A good GM will have this understanding, which is both an understanding of the rules and an intent to make sure everyone is having fun. If the player decides to glory hog with his twinked animal companion, take it away from him. He developes an allergic reaction to his armor and collapses, or something. It's one thing to get that extra inch, but to rub it in and take the mile... well. [/QUOTE]

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