What's an animal companion worth to a ranger?

[SteveC]

I'm currently playing a ranger in a 3.5 campaign, and I'm just about to hit 4th level where I'll get an animal companion. The thing is, the character is the solo sort, where I and the other players don't especially feel it would be appropriate. My GM, ever agreeable, has said "ok, what do you think is a fair trade, then?"

The trouble is, I'm really not sure. I thought "just give me a feat in exchange and all will be well," but there's little consensus as to what feat is appropriate. Throw into it the fact that the GM has said, "the animal companion gets better as you level, so a feat might not be enough." At the same time, I think animal companion is not that great for Rangers, so I'm not sure what to say.

So, I open it up for discussion: what do you think is fair? As far as the character, he is a stealthy, sneaky sniper. Right now I am a Ftr (1), Rng(4), having just hit 4th level as a ranger. I'm planning on taking the Order of the Bow out of the Complete Warrior for a few levels before going back to ranger.

Your thoughts and advice are appreciated!

 

[Scion]

Maybe as something as treating yourself as some number of levels higher for your spellcasting progression?

Say, +2 and +1 more for every 4 levels beyond 4th you are in ranger? Their spells are nice, but generally not incredible. It will definately help you be more selfreliant, and hopefully without too much of a power boost.

 

[Gort]

I've um, never actually seen an animal companion be useful.

Can you give me an example where dropping it would be WORTH a feat?

 

[lp]

Once you hit the slightly pre-teen levels as an archer, it's really nice to have a nice lil tiger hanging around to get the baddies that attack you once all the tanks run off.

BUT It doesn't help against dragons..

All in all animal companions can be lots of fun, but at the same time I would have mine hide the majority of the time because I didn't want him to get hurt... worried more about ol Tiny then I did myself.

 

[Scion]

My druids animal companion is worth his weight in gold actually, he has saved my life more than once.

The rangers is somewhat weaker, but it still provides incredible assets. The sheer amount of options it opens up is definately worth something

 

[Darklone]

Animal companions: One or two buff spells and a mage armour from the party wizard... and you don't need to fight anymore

 

[SteveC]

I've um, never actually seen an animal companion be useful.

Can you give me an example where dropping it would be WORTH a feat?

Well, I think it depends on the animal: a wolf is perhaps the quintessential amimal companion: scent ability (you can't be snuck up on) and the free trip attack on each hit makes him useful in combat for quite a while. A hawk can serve as an excellent scout overland and report on things that your group can't see as a whole. For a mounted character there's always the choice of a horse--you're going to have one, so the extra HD will come in handy.

But you're right, overall this is not the ranger's most powerful or useful ability. Thus my conundrum.

 

[Scion]

Animal companions: One or two buff spells and a mage armour from the party wizard... and you don't need to fight anymore

We havent started doing this yet.. but at some point I may have to..

I think that my suggestion earlier about treating yourself as higher level for spellcasting works out the best.. not to be too humble about it

 

[CRGreathouse]

I don't think that a ranger's animal companion is very useful. A druid's is good, but a ranger's falls so far behind on progression that it's hardly worthwhile by upper levels.

If the DM's willing to offer a feat, take it; that's probably at least as powerful as the animal.

 

[djrandar]

The best thing to do is just get a wolf and be done with it. It has many useful abilities and does get better. If you don't want to get the animal companion, just don't get it; it's not a major part of the Ranger's class anyway. The additional feat could be very helpful; you wont have to take it at a latter level.