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Message: <blockquote data-quote="ncc4781" data-source="post: 4705025" data-attributes="member: 24158">I wanted to create a character with the same feel as a 3e druid. The concept being that I would A. the ability to wild shape effectively, B. an animal companion, C. cast spells, and D. not need to swing a sword to hit things.stats: Str 14, Con 15, Dex 14, Int 10, Wis 16, Cha 8 (at level 1)At-Wills: Predator Strike, Savage Rend, Storm Spike (at level 11)I started with a half elf ranger with an animal companion and I choose the druid evocation Savage Rend  as the Dilettante  power. I also took the Initiate of the Old Faith feat that game me wild shape at will and the pounce evocation as an encounter power.  At level 11 I will take the Versatile Master feat and make Savage Rend an at will power. Also I would go paragon multiclassing and swap out a ranger for a druid at-will power.I accomplish all of my goals with the possible exception of D., the limited number of ranger beast powers makes it difficult to choose powers that don’t have both you and your companion attack. But even as the RAW I can live with it. So far so good, here is where things get tricky.Dealing with wild shape and an animal companion, how does one control an animal in wild shape? Can a ranger give the basic commands outlined on page 41 of Martial Power? Can the companion use at will, encounter, or daily powers that only involve the companion? I would think a ranger wild shaped in a wolf would have an easier time communicating with his wolf companion not a harder time but if the answer to these question is no then it brings up a bigger problem. MP page 42 says “In situations where you can’t command your beast companion, it can act independently.” If you can’t command your companion because you are in wild shape then by the RAW the companion can act on its own and the player gets two turns. Wizards has told us that this is wrong in 4e. Getting two turns is not an option but having the companion be deadweight is not an option either.  If you can’t command the companion in wild shape it can do nothing, not even move. Not only does this hamper combat but makes it that you can’t even walk with your companion. If you wild shape your pet stops moving until you are no longer around. Once that happens of course it’s going to come after you but once it is in range it stops because you can’t command it, very silly.Thank you for reading, I know it’s a little long. Please comment on the problem, the build, or anything else I might have missed. Remember I am going by the RAW.</blockquote>

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