ranger animal comp quest.

[korasukage]

Hi All I have a quick question... I have a very simple character concept which is an elven ranger, yeah I know how original but it will be the first time that I'm playing an elf and I've been playing dnd for over 10 years lol, nonetheless I digress... as part of this concept I want to have a dire wolf animal companion but he could not have one until I believe 14th level. Is there anyway of him obtaining one faster than that? Any help in this regard would be really appreciated

 

[Gregor]

Well, you could always wait until 4th level to obtain a normal animal companion. Make that animal companion a wolf and then progressively advance it so that it grows into a Dire form. Just use the monster advancement in the MM to determine over how many levels you want it to grow into its new super wolf form.

Cheers,

 

[Plane Sailing]

You could forget the animal companion bit and just use Handle Animal to train a dire wolf the old fashioned way. A few skill points, a few months and Bobs your uncle!

Much better than waiting for 14th level...

 

[korasukage]

Thanks for the suggestions. My original idea was similar to yours Gregor I would start play with a dire wolf "pup" (stats = dog). Then at 4th level I would bond to it using the animal companion ability(at this point the stats would be = to a wolf). After this I thought that as I progress he would "grow" into an actual dire wolf, that was when I noticed that a ranger could not have a dire wolf comp until 14th level. So I guess I could stick with this and just increase his stats very slowly up until he is = to a dire wolf. I guess this would just reflect his growth. As for your idea Plane Sailing I would go with that but I really want the advantages that the animal companion ability gives(ie the shared spells ability which I think is just to cool!

 

[Shazman]

The Wild Cohort feat from WotC might get you a dire wolf faster. It will probably still take quite a while though.

 

[korasukage]

hey Shazman I thought of that as well but it does not allow you to bond with the animal though(ie shared spells) So even though it is a good idea its not quite what I am looking for. Actually maybe creating a feat that allowed a ranger to have an "improved" animal companion similar to the improved familiar feat. I think that this wouldn't be too overpowering. Also I would limit the feat to 7th level or higher ranger. What does everyone think about this idea?

 

[TracerBullet42]

...it will be the first time that I'm playing an elf and I've been playing dnd for over 10 years...

Another player fallen...

Stupid elves.

 

[Stalker0]

Well... if you go leadership you could get an awakened dire wolf at 9th level if you have a decent leadership score. While not as nice as getting all the benefits of a companion.. you do get teh advantage of intelligence.

 

[kirinke]

Another player fallen...

Stupid elves.

elves rock. get a few elven archers with manyshot feet and booosh....