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<blockquote data-quote="Mirrorrorrim" data-source="post: 9023923" data-attributes="member: 7040132"><p>Apparently some people think the Monster Manual stat block should be a sacrosanct representation of that monster/animal in the world, therefore only that stat block should be used to represent that creature, even as part of PC abilities. But stat blocks are blocks of mechanics, name notwithstanding. Monster Manual stat blocks are designed and balanced as Monster threats, not PC options.</p><p></p><p>Regarding the "real" animal companion rules, the wolf stat block has 11 hit points. Looking at how hard monsters are hitting going forward, I don't know how DMs are going to keep the PC's befriended, loyal, trained wolf alive in combat. Not without ignoring them on purpose. It makes no sense. If that wolf gets a good hit in on that Ogre, the Ogre is going to DESTROY it. Then what is the PC gonna do? Cry? Get a new wolf?</p><p></p><p>That is why PC-balanced stat blocks are so handy. Whether "Beast of the Land" or "Sidekick" rules, they can be designed to scale with the PC, so their companion can adventure at their side. Even then, how does one deal with a "real, living" animal companion getting killed by the enemy fireball or cloudkill? I've had my nonmagical animal companions get killed, and I've been the DM who has had to try to avoid killing, and has killed, those animal companions. It's going to happen, and it is disheartening if "Hero and Companion" is the theme of the PC. Additionally, if one is ok with their wolf companion using the "Sidekick" rules, any complaint about using a stat block other than the Monster Manual is invalid.</p><p></p><p>Because of this, I way prefer for "Primal" magic to be able to give physical form to a primal animal spirit, and if it "dies", you can cause it to manifest again. One can still give it a personality, like say it is the spirit of a dead/ascended animal friend, rather than a spirit without personality.</p></blockquote><p></p>
[QUOTE="Mirrorrorrim, post: 9023923, member: 7040132"] Apparently some people think the Monster Manual stat block should be a sacrosanct representation of that monster/animal in the world, therefore only that stat block should be used to represent that creature, even as part of PC abilities. But stat blocks are blocks of mechanics, name notwithstanding. Monster Manual stat blocks are designed and balanced as Monster threats, not PC options. Regarding the "real" animal companion rules, the wolf stat block has 11 hit points. Looking at how hard monsters are hitting going forward, I don't know how DMs are going to keep the PC's befriended, loyal, trained wolf alive in combat. Not without ignoring them on purpose. It makes no sense. If that wolf gets a good hit in on that Ogre, the Ogre is going to DESTROY it. Then what is the PC gonna do? Cry? Get a new wolf? That is why PC-balanced stat blocks are so handy. Whether "Beast of the Land" or "Sidekick" rules, they can be designed to scale with the PC, so their companion can adventure at their side. Even then, how does one deal with a "real, living" animal companion getting killed by the enemy fireball or cloudkill? I've had my nonmagical animal companions get killed, and I've been the DM who has had to try to avoid killing, and has killed, those animal companions. It's going to happen, and it is disheartening if "Hero and Companion" is the theme of the PC. Additionally, if one is ok with their wolf companion using the "Sidekick" rules, any complaint about using a stat block other than the Monster Manual is invalid. Because of this, I way prefer for "Primal" magic to be able to give physical form to a primal animal spirit, and if it "dies", you can cause it to manifest again. One can still give it a personality, like say it is the spirit of a dead/ascended animal friend, rather than a spirit without personality. [/QUOTE]
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