The benifits of a skunk as an animal companion or familar

[kirinke]

in real life, i kid you not, skunks (de-stinkied of course) are considered to be pretty good pets, gentle and affectionant. there are even contests for the best skunk (sort of like cat-competitions).

now. i was wondering what kind of benifits one would get having one as an animal companion or familar.

after all, the stench special ability would be rather attractive in certain circumstances.

now how would you stat that out? dire or otherwise.

 

[the Jester]

Not to mention the possibilities of wild shaping into one!

 

[drunkmoogle]

Since you ask, I'll deliver. Knowing me, someone will already be done statting out a skunk before I finish.

Skunk
Stats: As Rat except for the following:

No racial skill bonuses. (Well, different, but it's late :/ )
Special Attacks: Stink Spray

Stink Spray (Ex.): A skunk may attempt to fend off attackers using its well known self defense mechanism. Using a ranged touch attack, a skunk may spray its stink juice (I have no idea what it's called :/ ) onto a target within 15 feet. If it hits, the target makes a fortitude save (DC10) or is sickened for 1d2 rounds and blinded for one round. The save is Constitution Based. The skunk may not use this ability again until 1d4 rounds later.

Alternatively, a skunk may produce a cone of stink that extends out to 15 feet. All targets in the cone make a fortitude save (DC10) or are sickened for 1 round.

Use Dire Rat, for Dire Skunkl the DC increases to 11.

Not overpowering, right? Still a great RP animal companion; an idea I will borrow sometime .

 

[I'm A Banana]

Actually, I'd start with a Cat rather than a rat; or maybe a Wolverine (drop the damage and ferocity, give 'em stinky) or weasel.

 

[Crass]

Since you ask, I'll deliver. Knowing me, someone will already be done statting out a skunk before I finish.

Skunk
Stats: As Rat except for the following:

No racial skill bonuses. (Well, different, but it's late :/ )
Special Attacks: Stink Spray

Stink Spray (Ex.): A skunk may attempt to fend off attackers using its well known self defense mechanism. Using a ranged touch attack, a skunk may spray its stink juice (I have no idea what it's called :/ ) onto a target within 15 feet. If it hits, the target makes a fortitude save (DC10) or is sickened for 1d2 rounds and blinded for one round. The save is Constitution Based. The skunk may not use this ability again until 1d4 rounds later.

Alternatively, a skunk may produce a cone of stink that extends out to 15 feet. All targets in the cone make a fortitude save (DC10) or are sickened for 1 round.

Use Dire Rat, for Dire Skunkl the DC increases to 11.

Not overpowering, right? Still a great RP animal companion; an idea I will borrow sometime .

Like the idea. BTW, butyl mercaptan gives the skunk its smell. Chemically, CH3C2CH2CH2SH - the numbers should be subscripted but I'm too lazy (It's funny what useless info you pick up while doing a degree in history, of all things...)

 

[Jolly Giant]

i was wondering what kind of benifits one would get having one as an animal companion or familar.

Familiar benefit: How about a +4 bonus to saves vs stench effects? (Stinking Cloud, ghasts' stench etc.) Maybe even immunity to them; there aren't that many stench-effects, after all...

 

[Hand of Evil]

Skunks have long front claws for digging. The average adult weighs between 3.5 - 10 lbs. Domestic skunks have been known to weigh over 20 lbs., this is usually due to a diet too high in fat.

I would go cat or small dog.

Ranged attack up to 15 feet and I think I would treat 'stink' as poison, effect causing illness.

 

[drunkmoogle]

Just said "rat" cause there are no Dire equivelents of dogs or cats. Besides, I wanted to keep it under CR 1/2.

The stink is sort of an inhaled poison, but I figure it's not that strong to have game effects unless you get a large amount on you and shouldn't require a secondary save.

Burrow Speed? 5' at the most, right? It ain't no Bugs Bunny.

 

[kirinke]

coolies! just think of what fun a skunk animal companion or familar would bring as far as roleplaying would go. and the fact that it does have a pretty neat defense mechanism. wouldn't do much harm against things that don't have a nose, but at lower levels, mostly what you're up against are bandits and suchlike things and that's where it'd be fair useful.

^_^ thanks 4 statting it out!

 

[JoeBlank]

A skunk familiar was offered in Dragon #280

Skunk: CR 1/4; Tiny Animal, HD 1/2 d8; hp 2; Init +1 (Dex); Spd 30 ft.; AC 14 (+2 size, +2 Dex; Atk +2 melee (1d3-2 bite); SA musk; SQ scent; Rach 0 ft.; SV Fort +2, Ref +4, Will +1; STr 8, Dex 12, Con 11, Int 2, Wis 12, Cha 5. Skills: Climb +4, Hide +10, Listen +5, Move Silently +7, Spot +4.

No bonus granted to master, I suppose because the skunk has the handy musk attack, which is described as: requires ranged touch attack at target within 10 ft., Fort save DC 10 or nauseated 1d4 rounds. Can only be used once per day. Master is immune to musk attacks of all skunks.