Ranger and Animal Friendship

[Akhkharu]

OK, was looking at the spell, Animal Friendship, and it says that anyone can have a animal companion who is 2 times spell caster level, correct? Ranger is considered to have 1/2 a spell caster level. If this is correct then my Ranger 8th level can have a 8HD creature. Is there any where it states this, as my DM seems to think I can only have 4HD. I don't have the PHB with me, it's at home or at friends house, so I can't look up the spell. =(

On another note, my ranger still hasn't gotten any companions besides the small phoenix (familiar), but was wondering how many HD of creatures can I have and what would be the best?

 

[Uller]

Ranger Spell caster level = Ranger level/2
HD of Animal companions = 2X caster level
So...
HD of Animal companions = 2*8/2 = 8

Wow...a use of Algebra. Who'd have thunk it?

However, in the DMG it says you can only have half that value if you are actively adventuring and taking your animals out of their natural habitat. So if you are dungeon crawling or going into towns, or taking Polar Bears into Jungles, your DM is correct. If you are taking wolves and squirrels into temperate forests, you're good to go.

As for your small phoenix...The Ranger can only have ANIMALS for animal companions. As in...only creatures that have "Animal" as their type.

You can get more by going out and getting more.

 

[Crothian]

Yes, Rangers can have an animal campain. They get 2 HD per caster level, and since a Ranger casts at half his level (rounded down) you get 2 HD per every 2 levels. So, at eighth tlevel you get 8 HD. But a ninth you still only have the eight.

You havea phoenix familiar. That;s different. If that's extra, it might be fair to have that count against your animal friends.

As for what you want....well, they are animals. So, birds are coomon as are wolves. Some people perfer many small animals, some perfer a bear or other large, strong campanion.

 

[Akhkharu]

small phoenix

I guess I should have mentioned that the phoenix familiar is because I'm also a sorcerer.

However, in the DMG it says you can only have half that value if you are actively adventuring and taking your animals out of their natural habitat. So if you are dungeon crawling or going into towns, or taking Polar Bears into Jungles, your DM is correct. If you are taking wolves and squirrels into temperate forests, you're good to go.

Ahh, OK. Well, I'm actively adventuring, not going into many dungeons, if any, and my character doesn't care for cities so he's stays outside mainly. So far we've been staying in the same type of forests, crossed some bad lands, but mainly it's been the same type of forest.

So, it would only be 4HD then. That's what I needed to know. Thanks!
Akh