Multiple Companion build

[RUMBLETiGER]

I'm toying with a build for fun. Something that makes effective use of the Animal Companion style class features and perhaps multiple uses of the Natural Bond feat, Wild Cohort feat, etc. A PC with multiple companions that scale reasonably with the PC over the full 20 levels. PrC's like Beastmaster (Complete Adventurer) and Beast Heart Adept (Dungeonscape). Essentially, the PC would be support and the critters would do most of the front line combat.

The goal is to have more than 1 effective companion critter, so as to potentially solo an adventuring career. I'm not looking to have 10 companions, but 2-4 very effective ones would get the job done.

The Creatures would need to scale in effectiveness as leveling happens, so swapping out companions over time and selecting ones that can fly, do supernatural effects, etc.

What are all the effective classes, PrCs, feats, items and such that can grant effective companions?

I'm not looking for humanoids (so not Leadership) nor am I looking for Undead hordes (I know a few nifty builds for making an undead army) nor am I looking for constructs (there's a great Artificer build for that) nor am I going for training pets with skills.

I'm looking for companions that are Animals, Magical Beasts, Dragons, Aberrations, Elementals... perhaps more to the list, but that sounds like the flavor I'm going for.

So, things I know so far:

-Druid class
-Ranger class
-Paladin class
-Beastmaster PrC
-Beast Heart Adept PrC
-Dragon Cohort feat
-Natural Bond feat
-Wild Cohort feat

...anything else? I know there are other PrC's that grant creative mounts, perhaps staggering 2 of them might be effective.

 

[emoplato]

I'm toying with a build for fun. Something that makes effective use of the Animal Companion style class features and perhaps multiple uses of the Natural Bond feat, Wild Cohort feat, etc. A PC with multiple companions that scale reasonably with the PC over the full 20 levels. PrC's like Beastmaster (Complete Adventurer) and Beast Heart Adept (Dungeonscape). Essentially, the PC would be support and the critters would do most of the front line combat.

The goal is to have more than 1 effective companion critter, so as to potentially solo an adventuring career. I'm not looking to have 10 companions, but 2-4 very effective ones would get the job done.

The Creatures would need to scale in effectiveness as leveling happens, so swapping out companions over time and selecting ones that can fly, do supernatural effects, etc.

What are all the effective classes, PrCs, feats, items and such that can grant effective companions?

I'm not looking for humanoids (so not Leadership) nor am I looking for Undead hordes (I know a few nifty builds for making an undead army) nor am I looking for constructs (there's a great Artificer build for that) nor am I going for training pets with skills.

I'm looking for companions that are Animals, Magical Beasts, Dragons, Aberrations, Elementals... perhaps more to the list, but that sounds like the flavor I'm going for.

So, things I know so far:

-Druid class
-Ranger class
-Paladin class
-Beastmaster PrC
-Beast Heart Adept PrC
-Dragon Cohort feat
-Natural Bond feat
-Wild Cohort feat

...anything else? I know there are other PrC's that grant creative mounts, perhaps staggering 2 of them might be effective.

Ashworm Dragoon, Sandstorm
The class itself adds a hit die per level and stacks with any other companion class(look at the monster it grows in size). Namely, it grants infinite uses of mounted combat, ability to stay on your burrowing worm, and move/full attack. It also has some bonus feat goodness and other specials with your Ashworm.

 

[RUMBLETiGER]

Ashworm Dragoon, Sandstorm
The class itself adds a hit die per level and stacks with any other companion class(look at the monster it grows in size). Namely, it grants infinite uses of mounted combat, ability to stay on your burrowing worm, and move/full attack. It also has some bonus feat goodness and other specials with your Ashworm.

Oh.. yeah, something like this. If I can find a way to stagger this PrC with another, this is the sort of thing I'm looking for.

Most specifically, any PrC that says it advances the companion as a Druid, such as Beastmaster, can use the Natural Bond feat to make up for the staggered levels.

 

[emoplato]

Oh.. yeah, something like this. If I can find a way to stagger this PrC with another, this is the sort of thing I'm looking for.

Most specifically, any PrC that says it advances the companion as a Druid, such as Beastmaster, can use the Natural Bond feat to make up for the staggered levels.

If you aren't adverse to being a Halfling(Strongheart). A Halfling Outrider(Complete Warrior) could finish you out with some nice abilities. You make ride checks to perform other stunts to help you in combat(standing to remove archery penalties, a free charge attack, ignore difficult terrain, or a desperate need to turn). It doesn't add one but it continues.

 

[RUMBLETiGER]

If you aren't adverse to being a Halfling(Strongheart). A Halfling Outrider(Complete Warrior) could finish you out with some nice abilities. You make ride checks to perform other stunts to help you in combat(standing to remove archery penalties, a free charge attack, ignore difficult terrain, or a desperate need to turn). It doesn't add one but it continues.

I can dig Halflings. Currently playing a halfling Druid "Dinosaur Cowboy" who's motivation is to one day ride a T-rex. He's got 2 Swindlespitters at level 1, one is the Animal Companion, the second is the Wild Cohort feat. He's sort of the inspirational springboard for this theoretical build.

I'm away from my books but I remember the Outrider having some riding tricks, couples with Ashworm Dragoon it might be nifty. If I could progress a second and third companion alongside the Ashworm, it would be a viable build. Ashworm would make a great melee combatant with great triks for Burrowing. Tossing in Dragon Cohort should net me one easy.

 

[rgard]

Arcane Hierophant (RotW, I believe) has the Familiar Companion.

 

[RUMBLETiGER]

One simple, theoretical build is a Human Druid1/Ranger4/Beastmaster10/Druid5

Level 1, gain the Animal Companion like normal. Take The Natural Bond feat and the Wild Cohort feat for a second buddy.

Levels 2-4 as a Ranger, the Druid Animal Companion advances as if you were a straight Druid due to the Natural bond feat, which adds "3 to your effective Druid level" for advancing the animal companion, not to exceed your character level.

The Wild Cohort advances based on character level, although more slowly than an Animal Companion. Take Natural Bond again at level 3 to offset, "treat yourself as a druid three levels lower than your character level" as per the Wild Cohort feat to allow you to select a more advanced critter.

At level 4, you upgrade both companions in terms of being able to select from a new list.

At level 5 you hit Ranger level 4, gain a Druid level 1 Animal Companion.

At level 5, you've got:

-Wild Cohort = Druid level 5 (From the feat)
-Animal Companion = Druid level 4 (The first Druid one)
-Animal Companion = Druid level 1 (The Ranger one)

At level 6, you take the Beastmaster PrC. You now gain another Animal Companion. The PrC ability states, in part, "Treat the Beastmaster as a Druid whose level is equal to the Beastmaster’s class level + 3. A Beastmaster can select one of the animals available to a 1st-level Druid and then apply the modifications as appropriate for a 4th-level Druid’s Animal Companion, or she can select a typical version of one of the animals available to a 4th-level Druid." It also says, "If a Beastmaster already has an Animal Companion from another class, her Beastmaster class levels stack with class levels from all other classes that grant an Animal Companion." (I'm assuming this only applies to one existing Animal Companion, so I'll apply the increase to the original Animal Companion only, not the Ranger one or the Wild Cohort. The single level in Druid would also apply to all the Beastmaster Animal Companions.) Take Natural Bond to boost your Ranger Animal Companion.

At level 6, you've got:
-Wild Cohort = Druid level 6 (From the feat)
-Animal Companion = Druid level 5 (The first Druid one)
-Animal Companion = Druid level 5 (The PrC one)
-Animal Companion = Druid level 4 (The Ranger one)

The PrC gains and extra Animal Companion at levels 4, 7 and 10, which would be Character levels 9, 12 and 15 respectively. These extra Animal Companions are considered Druid level -3, -6 and -9 respectively at the level they are acquired. This allows for weaker Animal Companions, which will be less useful in encounters. Taking the Natural Bond feat at levels 9, 12 applied to the first extra Animal Companion should bring that Animal Companion up to 1 level behind a Full Druid's Animal Companion.

Level 15, we've got a feat slot free. Dragon Cohort here can net a pretty spiffy Dragon buddy. What size/type depends upon the Charisma score, but assuming a CHA of 10 it's an ECL of 13.

If the Beastmaster PrC advances the original Animal Companion as a Druid, that companion continues to advance one level behind a full Druid's Animal Companion. The Animal Companion from the Beastmaster PrC continues to advance one level behind a full Druid. The Wild Cohort continues to advance in animal selection 2 levels behind a full Druid, however the advancement progression is not as strong as an Animal Companion, as per the feat.

At level 15 then, you've got:
-Wild Cohort = Druid level 15 (From the feat)
-Animal Companion = Druid level 14 (The first Druid one)
-Animal Companion = Druid level 14 (The first PrC one)
-Animal Companion = Druid level 14 (The second PrC one)
-Dragon = ECL 13 (From the feat)
-Animal Companion = Druid level 5 (The third PrC one)
-Animal Companion = Druid level 4 (The Ranger one)
-Animal Companion = Druid Level 2 (The fourth PrC one)

Levels 16-20 taken as Druid would advance the original Animal Companion and all the PrC ones. The Wild Cohort will progress by character level. Natural Bond feat at level 18 could bump one of the weaker Animal Companions up 3 Druid levels. lets apply it to PrC companion number 3.

At level 20, you've got:
-Wild Cohort = Druid level 20 (From the feat)
-Animal Companion = Druid level 19 (The first Druid one)
-Animal Companion = Druid level 19 (The first PrC one)
-Animal Companion = Druid level 19 (The second PrC one)
-Dragon = ECL 17 (From the feat)
-Animal Companion = Druid level 13 (The third PrC one)
-Animal Companion = Druid Level 7 (The fourth PrC one)
-Animal Companion = Druid level 4 (The Ranger one)

This build is pretty simple and accomplishes what I was looking for, but I'm looking for ways to improve upon it. For example, looking at this now I'd likely ditch the 4 levels of Ranger, it really doesn't get me anything long term.

 

[emoplato]

One simple, theoretical build is a Human Druid1/Ranger4/Beastmaster10/Druid5

Level 1, gain the Animal Companion like normal. Take The Natural Bond feat and the Wild Cohort feat for a second buddy.

Levels 2-4 as a Ranger, the Druid Animal Companion advances as if you were a straight Druid due to the Natural bond feat, which adds "3 to your effective Druid level" for advancing the animal companion, not to exceed your character level.

The Wild Cohort advances based on character level, although more slowly than an Animal Companion. Take Natural Bond again at level 3 to offset, "treat yourself as a druid three levels lower than your character level" as per the Wild Cohort feat to allow you to select a more advanced critter.

At level 4, you upgrade both companions in terms of being able to select from a new list.

At level 5 you hit Ranger level 4, gain a Druid level 1 Animal Companion.

At level 5, you've got:

-Wild Cohort = Druid level 5 (From the feat)
-Animal Companion = Druid level 4 (The first Druid one)
-Animal Companion = Druid level 1 (The Ranger one)

At level 6, you take the Beastmaster PrC. You now gain another Animal Companion. The PrC ability states, in part, "Treat the Beastmaster as a Druid whose level is equal to the Beastmaster’s class level + 3. A Beastmaster can select one of the animals available to a 1st-level Druid and then apply the modifications as appropriate for a 4th-level Druid’s Animal Companion, or she can select a typical version of one of the animals available to a 4th-level Druid." It also says, "If a Beastmaster already has an Animal Companion from another class, her Beastmaster class levels stack with class levels from all other classes that grant an Animal Companion." (I'm assuming this only applies to one existing Animal Companion, so I'll apply the increase to the original Animal Companion only, not the Ranger one or the Wild Cohort. The single level in Druid would also apply to all the Beastmaster Animal Companions.) Take Natural Bond to boost your Ranger Animal Companion.

At level 6, you've got:
-Wild Cohort = Druid level 6 (From the feat)
-Animal Companion = Druid level 5 (The first Druid one)
-Animal Companion = Druid level 5 (The PrC one)
-Animal Companion = Druid level 4 (The Ranger one)

The PrC gains and extra Animal Companion at levels 4, 7 and 10, which would be Character levels 9, 12 and 15 respectively. These extra Animal Companions are considered Druid level -3, -6 and -9 respectively at the level they are acquired. This allows for weaker Animal Companions, which will be less useful in encounters. Taking the Natural Bond feat at levels 9, 12 applied to the first extra Animal Companion should bring that Animal Companion up to 1 level behind a Full Druid's Animal Companion.

Level 15, we've got a feat slot free. Dragon Cohort here can net a pretty spiffy Dragon buddy. What size/type depends upon the Charisma score, but assuming a CHA of 10 it's an ECL of 13.

If the Beastmaster PrC advances the original Animal Companion as a Druid, that companion continues to advance one level behind a full Druid's Animal Companion. The Animal Companion from the Beastmaster PrC continues to advance one level behind a full Druid. The Wild Cohort continues to advance in animal selection 2 levels behind a full Druid, however the advancement progression is not as strong as an Animal Companion, as per the feat.

At level 15 then, you've got:
-Wild Cohort = Druid level 15 (From the feat)
-Animal Companion = Druid level 14 (The first Druid one)
-Animal Companion = Druid level 14 (The first PrC one)
-Animal Companion = Druid level 14 (The second PrC one)
-Dragon = ECL 13 (From the feat)
-Animal Companion = Druid level 5 (The third PrC one)
-Animal Companion = Druid level 4 (The Ranger one)
-Animal Companion = Druid Level 2 (The fourth PrC one)

Levels 16-20 taken as Druid would advance the original Animal Companion and all the PrC ones. The Wild Cohort will progress by character level. Natural Bond feat at level 18 could bump one of the weaker Animal Companions up 3 Druid levels. lets apply it to PrC companion number 3.

At level 20, you've got:
-Wild Cohort = Druid level 20 (From the feat)
-Animal Companion = Druid level 19 (The first Druid one)
-Animal Companion = Druid level 19 (The first PrC one)
-Animal Companion = Druid level 19 (The second PrC one)
-Dragon = ECL 17 (From the feat)
-Animal Companion = Druid level 13 (The third PrC one)
-Animal Companion = Druid Level 7 (The fourth PrC one)
-Animal Companion = Druid level 4 (The Ranger one)

This build is pretty simple and accomplishes what I was looking for, but I'm looking for ways to improve upon it. For example, looking at this now I'd likely ditch the 4 levels of Ranger, it really doesn't get me anything long term.

A halfling outrider does you more good than the ranger or even the last few levels of beastmaster. Remember they can do all those things regardless which mount you choose to use.

 

[RUMBLETiGER]

A halfling outrider does you more good than the ranger or even the last few levels of beastmaster. Remember they can do all those things regardless which mount you choose to use.

Yeah, if I stop at 7 levels of Beastmaster since the 4th Animal Companion won't be up to reasonable, power, I could look into another PrC.

Halfling Outrider both grants a companion, and stacks with Druid etc. class levels. Definitely good. The BAB progression is great. I hadn't considered really what my PC would actually be doing outside of giving orders, firing a bow while mounted would be really helpful. The rest of the class abilities for the PrC provide some really nice AC to keep the PC alive and added bonuses to the mount. I'll rework the build later and see how this might fit.

I'm really fuzzy on making sense of the Mount class feature. "A Halfling Outrider gains a mount appropriate for the resources of her Halfling community." It says this usually means a Riding Dog or War pony, but leaves it open. Also, can acquire a more exotic mount if the PC goes out and finds it. Does that mean if the character background fluff is from a wealthy and eccentric community, alternatives can be provided? Is this even limited to Animals? The wording is way to open ended for me, I'm strongly tempted to abuse it.

Would the Class abilities apply to any of my companions that I happen to be riding upon the back of? Can I use Defensive Riding to grant the +20 speed (not limited to landspeed) to whichever of my companions I ride? That could be cool.

 

[xigbar]

The paladin special mount, and that Devoted Tracker feat? Might be neat to add in.