Murder of Crows as Animal Companion

[Jack of Shadows]

Hi Folks,

I had an interesting idea and wanted to float it past you all. Do you think it would work to take a Murder of Crows (as presented in ToM) as an Animal Companion for a Druid? For those who don't have access to Tome of Magic, a Murder of Crows is essentially akin to a Swarm of Bats and can be summoned with the Summon Swarm spell.

I think conceptially that a druid with a flock of crows would be really cool but would a swarm be too powerful as an Animal Companion? And if so, at what level would it even out.

All opinions pro and con are welcome.

Jack

 

[danzig138]

I'd have to see the actual stats for the MoC. My initial thought is No, but that's because it's a bunch of animal companions. But stylistically, the picture in my head is pretty darned cool.

How do the stats and abilities of a MoC stack up with the normal AnComp candidates?

 

[Infiniti2000]

Sounds good. Hyp's druid has a cluster of cats as an animal companion. Maybe he'll post the relevant stats again.

 

[Jack of Shadows]

I'd have to see the actual stats for the MoC. My initial thought is No, but that's because it's a bunch of animal companions. But stylistically, the picture in my head is pretty darned cool.

How do the stats and abilities of a MoC stack up with the normal AnComp candidates?

Very close to Bat Swarm. 4 HD (18 hp), +6 Init, AC 14, Fort +4 Ref +6 Will +3. Has Blinding ability instead of Wounding (which can be fixed with any sort of healing). Worse skills and Improved Initiative instead of Lightening Reflexes.

I think it would be on the weaker side of a Level 4 Druid pick given the 4 HD. It's a CR 2 creature like the Wolf but I think the Swarm traits make it significantly stronger as an Animal Companion than the Wolf.

And yes it does seem like a "bunch" of animal companions but it's treated as a single creature. Which is why I think it's a valid choice because you get the appearance without the annoying bookkeeping.

Jack

 

[Benimoto]

I think it's a cool idea, and if it's similar to the bat swarm, then level 4 would be fine.

 

[Hypersmurf]

I'd make it a level 4 companion (like we did with my Cat swarm).

The swarm traits are nice, but the major disadvantage is that most of the spells you'd use to buff your animal companion - magic fang, animal growth, cure light wounds, etc - don't work on the swarm.

It's fun, but I don't think overpowered.

On the other hand, I didn't play that druid through from low levels, so I'm can't really speak for how it works out around the 4th-7th sort of level... the nausea effect might be really useful.

-Hyp.

 

[Snowy]

theres rules on the wotc website for vermin druids and swarm animal companions, I think it was rats and bees they did but the mechanics might be useful.

As I remember they gave slightly different abilities and had a slightly different control/handle animal etc

I used to have it bookmarked as a BBEG idea but my computer died, must go find it again.

 

[cmanos]

Vermin Druids and Swarm Animal Companions

 

[ceratitis]

so if a murder of crows is 4th level what level would a termite nest be? fire ants? a pride of lionesses in heat ?
Z