Whats the ECL of an Awakened Dog for a PC?

[Luis Figoo]

Thanks all for the excellent discussion. IMC, it would be a normal dog of the small variety without improved trip.

 

[nharwell]

nharwell: Don't get me wrong, I think Savage Species is a great book. It is probably the best book WotC has put out since MotP.

However, it is very inappropriately subtitled and marketed because the book sucks as a guide for PC's as monsters.

Actually, I agree with your assessment. Savage Species is FAR more useful as a DM tool. I like the idea of monster class levels but, as a DM, I plan to do exactly what the authors forbid: multiclassing before maxing out the monster class. I think this makes a useful way to create half-breeds and other monster variations.

On the other hand, I totally disagree with Redman and the other authors about animals. In my gaming experience, reincarnation (and now "awakening") creates the greatest number of uncoventional PCs and NPCs -- and I was VERY dissappointed that Savage Species chose not to deal with either...