Wolf and Improved Trip

[RigaMortus2]

Is there perhaps a spell that you can cast that might be able to give you Improved Trip? Then you can share it with your animal companion... I was thinking something like the old Wieldskill spell Clerics had in the FRCS 3.0. If you have Magic of Incarnum, there might be a soulmeld that grants you Improved Trip, then take Share Soulmeld with the animal companion...

 

[Hypersmurf]

Is there perhaps a spell that you can cast that might be able to give you Improved Trip?

From memory, there's a feat-granting spell in SC (Master Something-or-other?), but you still have to satisfy prereqs.

-Hyp.

 

[Lopke_Quasath]

MarkB, that's a good suggestion about the Ability Focus feat being used with the Trip special attack. I will ask my DM about that. Thanks.

But, why do you think the Improved Trip feat is too powerful for a creature with the trip ability?
The benefit they would get would only be the +4 to the Strength check, since they already have the other benefits. Isn't that worth a whole feat? Is it because they get a free trip check every time they successfully bite? (That's probably my answer)

Cheers

 

[Hypersmurf]

The benefit they would get would only be the +4 to the Strength check, since they already have the other benefits.

It depends if your reading of Improved Trip would allow the wolf the free melee attack if the trip were successful.

If it would, then you'd get Bite -> free Trip -> free Bite.

Now, I personally don't think the wording supports it - the free action to Trip can't be used to make a melee attack, so Improved Trip letting you attack as though you hadn't used the attack to Trip doesn't actually extend the utility of the free action. But others would likely argue otherwise.

Of course, I'd also rule that a wolf can't use its Trip ability on an AoO, since it can't take free actions outside of its turn...

-Hyp.

 

[Lopke_Quasath]

Hypersmurf, I wouldn't rule that way either (nor would my DM, especially since I wouldn't put it that way). To be honest, I hadn't even thought of that tactic (shows how much I don't know the fine tactics of RAW).

But, my thinking goes: The free trip attempt comes FROM the bite attack, and not vice versa. So, no free attack after the trip. The attack has already happened.
If the wolf wanted to do a trip attack, and then take the immediate melee attack from the Improved Trip feat, that's okay.

Hmm, never thought about a wolf's bite during an AoO, though. No trip attempt makes sense, they are just snapping their jaws at you.

So, removing that bite, trip, bite routine, would people allow wolves the Improved Trip feat (or the aformentioned slightly changed feat Improved Trip Ability) ?

Cheers

 

[Infiniti2000]

So, removing that bite, trip, bite routine, would people allow wolves the Improved Trip feat (or the aformentioned slightly changed feat Improved Trip Ability) ?

No, because I would allow the ability focus instead. +4 is a big boost for an ability that works A LOT better than the normal trip mechanic.

 

[Lopke_Quasath]

Well, that's reasonable to me, Infiniti2000. I admire your opinions, as well as the others who have posted. Ability Focus and a +2 to a Str check for trip is good on its own.

Thanks everyone for your feedback. Much obliged.

Cheers