Animal Companion

[Asinjin]

Let's take the animal companion discussion here.

I am not in the camp of its underpowered, or at least I don't care that it is if it is.

However, if everyone agrees it needs an upgrade, then that's fine.  Sound off or your opinion and let's get a count.

[Malchia]

Okay, I vote for changing the Animal Companion for all Rangers to the Druid chart.   

[Zunder]

I guess where do you stop.  Do you try to fix all clases that could use a little more?  Just outlaw Bards as Masochistic.

I would be in favor of this small tweak, but I always liked Rangers ( even though it's like banging your head against a wall )

[Hero]

I like the idea of making animal companions follow the druid progression.

For a class that’s specifically combat oriented, often melee, the current progression of half ranger level makes the companion very fragile compared to the ranger. They are practically disposable.

Under current rules, a 10th level ranger has a companion as a 5th level druid: +2HD, +2 AC,+1 Str/Dex

A 20th level ranger has a companion as a 10th level druid: +6HD, +6 AC,+3 Str/Dex

Sticking with the basic companion options, you could have a 4 HD wolf at 10th (26 hp) and a 8 HD wolf at 20th (52 hp). Not likely to be around for long at those levels.

Under the proposed change, the wolf at 10th level now has 8 HD, and 14 HD at 20th. Much more sustainable.

[Windblade]

I like the change.