Animal Companions and spells

[sierzadon]

Don't have the DMG anywere close, and I wonder about something while reading in the SRD.

According to the SRD on animal companions (class druid, subsection):
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A druid’s animal companion is different from a normal animal of its kind in many ways. The companion is treated as a magical beast, not an animal, for the purpose of all effects that depend on its type (though it retains an animal’s HD, base attack bonus, saves, skill points, and feats). It is superior to a normal animal of its kind and has special powers, as described below.
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Also SRD, about Animal Growth:
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Animal Growth
Transmutation
Level: Drd 5, Rgr 4, Sor/Wiz 5
Components: V, S
Casting Time: 1 standard action
Range: Medium (100 ft. + 10 ft./level)
Targets: Up to one animal (Gargantuan or smaller) per two levels, no two of which can be more than 30 ft. apart
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Does this mean I cannot cast animal growth on my animal companion, because it is actually a magical beast?


Thanks for input...

 

[Nail]

Does this mean I cannot cast animal growth on my animal companion, because it is actually a magical beast?

Yup.

A poorly thought out rule, eh?

However, couldn't you wildshape (your type changes to Animal), then use the "share spells" power of the animal companion?

That is:

Share Spells (Ex): At the druid’s option, ....(snip)....the druid may cast a spell with a target of “You” on her animal companion (as a touch range spell) instead of on herself.

Thus cast enabling you to cast Animal Growth on your animal (magical beast) companion.

 

[Artoomis]

Yep, I think so.

On the other hand, offensive spells that target animals won't work, either.

 

[anon]

Animal Companions ARE animals

Animal Companions are referred to as both animals and magical beasts in the PHB. Andy Collins has written to say that Animal Companions are in fact supposed to be animals and that anything to the contrary is an errata.

Thus, Animal Growth will work just great on your Animal Companion.

 

[Nail]

Andy Collins has written to say .....

Hey, that's great. But until that's put in the errata......


BTW, what was the reason for this bad rule in the first place? So that the animal companion would be immune to hostile animal spells? To make up for it's poor Will save? Seems like a bad idea, all round.

 

[Staffan]

BTW, what was the reason for this bad rule in the first place?

Likely a case of cut&paste from the familiar rules.

 

[Brekki]

Actually it's a cut & paste from the paladin's mount

(also said by Andy Collins)

 

[sithramir]

Actually it's a cut & paste from the paladin's mount

(also said by Andy Collins)

So when you wildshape it says your type changes to animal? So I can animal growth myself if i'm a druid who wildshaped?

Just read polymorph and this is irrelevant.... I'll make sure to use that in my next fight as a druid. Man I really want Fast wildshape now. Wildshape animal growth blam!

 

[jgsugden]

Andy has said that an animal companion is an animal.

One thing on wildshaping, for you druid fans out there: Andy also said the following in response to a question about wild shaping into a plant:

Yes--the effect changes your type, and thus grants you all the traits possessed by the creature. A druid wild shaped into a shambling mound would be immune to mind-affecting effects, poison, and critical hits.

http://boards1.wizards.com/showthre...raits possessed by the creature&pagenumber=17

I went on to clarify this with custserv@wizards.com. They said that you gain the traits that are listed under the creature type that are not listed under extraordinary qualities, supernatural qualities or spell-like qualities under the monster special qualities section.

 

[Nail]

Wildshape animal growth blam!

Cool, huh?

Now that's you've wrapped you mind around that: Cast Awaken and Greater Magic Fang on yourself.....oh, all right. Nix the awaken.....party poopers!