Core Rulebook | Classes | Druid | Animal Companions

Animal Companions

An animal companion's abilities are determined by the druid's level and its animal racial traits. Table: Animal Companion Base Statistics determines many of the base statistics of the animal companion. They remain creatures of the animal type for purposes of determining which spells can affect them.

Table: Animal Companion Base Statistics

Table: Animal Companion Base Statistics
Class LevelHDBABFortRefWillSkillsFeatsNatural Armor BonusStr/Dex BonusBonus TricksSpecial
1st2+1+3+3+021+0+01Link, share spells
2nd3+2+3+3+132+0+01
3rd3+2+3+3+132+2+12Evasion
4th4+3+4+4+142+2+12Ability score increase
5th5+3+4+4+153+2+12
6th6+4+5+5+263+4+23Devotion
7th6+4+5+5+263+4+23
8th7+5+5+5+274+4+23
9th8+6+6+6+284+6+34Ability score increase, Multiattack
10th9+6+6+6+395+6+34
11th9+6+6+6+395+6+34
12th10+7+7+7+3105+8+45
13th11+8+7+7+3116+8+45
14th12+9+8+8+4126+8+45Ability score increase
15th12+9+8+8+4126+10+56Improved evasion
16th13+9+8+8+4137+10+56
17th14+10+9+9+4147+10+56
18th15+11+9+9+5158+12+67
19th15+11+9+9+5158+12+67
20th16+12+10+10+5168+12+67Ability score increase

Class Level

This is the character's druid level. The druid's class levels stack with levels of any other classes that are entitled to an animal companion for the purpose of determining the companion's statistics.

HD

This is the total number of eight-sided (d8) Hit Dice the animal companion possesses, each of which gains a Constitution modifier, as normal.

BAB

This is the animal companion's base attack bonus. An animal companion's base attack bonus is the same as that of a druid of a level equal to the animal's HD. Animal companions do not gain additional attacks using their natural weapons for a high base attack bonus.

Fort/Ref/Will

These are the animal companion's base saving throw bonuses. An animal companion has good Fortitude and Reflex saves.

Skills

This lists the animal's total skill ranks. Animal companions can assign skill ranks to any skill listed under Animal Skills. If an animal companion increases its Intelligence to 10 or higher, it gains bonus skill ranks as normal. Animal companions with an Intelligence of 3 or higher can purchase ranks in any skill. An animal companion cannot have more ranks in a skill than it has Hit Dice.

Feats

This is the total number of feats possessed by an animal companion. Animal companions should select their feats from those listed under Animal Feats. Animal companions can select other feats, although they are unable to utilize some feats (such as Martial Weapon Proficiency). Note that animal companions cannot select a feat with a requirement of base attack bonus +1 until they gain their second feat at 3 Hit Dice.

Natural Armor Bonus

The number noted here is an improvement to the animal companion's existing natural armor bonus.

Str/Dex Bonus

Add this modifier to the animal companion's Strength and Dexterity scores.

Bonus Tricks

The value given in this column is the total number of “bonus” tricks that the animal knows in addition to any that the druid might choose to teach it (see the Handle Animal skill for more details on how to teach an animal tricks). These bonus tricks don't require any training time or Handle Animal checks, and they don't count against the normal limit of tricks known by the animal. The druid selects these bonus tricks, and once selected, they can't be changed.

Special

This includes a number of abilities gained by animal companions as they increase in power. Each of these bonuses is described below.

Link

Share Spells

The druid may cast a spell with a target of “You” on her animal companion (as a spell with a range of touch) instead of on herself. A druid may cast spells on her animal companion even if the spells normally do not affect creatures of the companion's type (animal). Spells cast in this way must come from a class that grants an animal companion. This ability does not allow the animal to share abilities that are not spells, even if they function like spells.

Evasion

If an animal companion is subjected to an attack that normally allows a Reflex save for half damage, it takes no damage if it makes a successful saving throw.

Ability Score Increase

The animal companion adds +1 to one of its ability scores.

Devotion

An animal companion gains a +4 morale bonus on Will saves against enchantment spells and effects.

Multiattack

An animal companion gains Multiattack as a bonus feat if it has three or more natural attacks and does not already have that feat. If it does not have the requisite three or more natural attacks, the animal companion instead gains a second attack with one of its natural weapons, albeit at a –5 penalty.

Improved Evasion

When subjected to an attack that allows a Reflex saving throw for half damage, an animal companion takes no damage if it makes a successful saving throw and only half damage if the saving throw fails.