Partially Used: Animal Companions

Is there any chance these could be made a little more resilient? They currently die far too easily against anything even remotely challenging. I'm not saying they should surpass your PC but a little boost to their AC would be ideal.

Agreed.

Animal companions could use a scaling boost.

Summoned minions in general (despite the awesomeness of being able to have more than just one) are still a little too frail at current once you pass level 5 or so (this is about when enemies start doing more significant chunks of damage per hit). Some extra HPs (maybe an extra 3 temporary hitpoints per ranger/druid/caster level), and maybe a boost to AC (like +1 dodge per 5 ranger/druid/caster levels) or so would be a big help, but certainly wouldnt overshadow the PC or make the summon a rampaging juggernaut.

Spell sharing for companions would be rock.

Oooh, this could even be done with a selectable feat. I think that was suggested previously somewhere.

Improved Animal Companion/Improved Summoning.

MannyJabrielle wrote:Spell sharing for companions would be rock.

Oh god yes.

Could be tied into my suggestion to have conjuration focuses enhance summons.

Yeah, I found the feat info here

One feat, ties both ideas together.

I would say drop the Spell Focus (conjuration) requirement. Just require the ability to cast arcane or divine spells, or the animal companion ability in order to gain the augment summoning feat. Thats just my opinion.

It would be nice to acually use a Companion for something besides distractions and trap detection. Hmmm; Reincarnated pets?

Yeah, as it stands, a fully buffed up companion/summon will only hold its own on enemies up to around 20 HD. After that, they usually get smoked no matter how much buffing is done. The new epic spell system will help wizard/sorceror/druid/clerics with this issue into the epic levels a whole lot.

Rangers kinda get screwed, though. No epic spells to buff with (which is proper, don't get me wrong) so their companions will get chewed up by epic enemies in no time. I can't really think of anything that would be a good fit for helping Epic Rangers be able to use a companion effectively in epic level combats....

Maybe an epic bonus feat specifically for Epic Rangers (21 ranger levels) that modifies their companion when summoned. Lots of temp HPs [EDIT: (like 400 ), and maybe a haste effect or something. Also maybe construct immunities so the poor thing wont get instantly disabled by various and sundry auras/gaze attacks/spells.]

Call it Greater Spiritual Companion, and have it require the non-epic feat Augmented Summoning/Improved Companion/Improved Summoning/Spiritual Companion (whichever name is fitting).

Rangers also have a harder time keeping their companions alive because of less buffing spells. They don't have awaken, and I'd have to check but I think they only have cat's grace... no bulls or bears, no DR or AC spells they could use on their companions either.

Would be nice to see a little item that casts Awaken at 1ch/use usable only by Rangers/Druids ((and barbarians if they end up getting companions)).... (I have Awaken on a custom item for my Ranger, and it works rather well ! )

As well as Cats Grace, rangers also get Magic Weapon, Magic Fang, Resist (Elements), Protection From (Alignment), Protection From (Elements), Path of Fog(kinda), Ultravision, Aid, Greater Magic Fang, Freedom of Movement and Mass Camouflage.... to "buff" their Animal Companions with ....

Also of note the scroll of Grease is still castable by Rangers, even though the spell is no longer in their spell lists ... .... ..

Wasn't there some sort thing put in a while back whereby feeding or playing with your animal companion enough would give it little bonuses? Or did I just dream that up?

Yeah. I've never gotten a bonus from playing with any of my companions/familiars though. Not sure how much playing has to be done to get a bonus, but it seems like a good bit.

All the companions must be female then.

That explains why I get bitten for no reason once a month or so.

What could really help is to be able to give your companion the same three items you can give your dragon, that would allow some AC/Saves/Damage Reduction/Damage Resistance that would go a long way toward keeping them alive, at the cost of Dave and Manny getting deluged with requests for items for companions.......and with 12 more Constitution they would get a nice HP bonus too.

TonyK's henchman AI includes I believe a tweak to the pixie familiar where you can give it a new dagger and some junk to wear... It would be possible to adapt that to allow gearing up other familiars and animal companions within reasonable limits.

Thread necro.... Just a small bump to the idea of augmented animal companion summoning... animal companion item wearing (like the dragon's)...

And more to suggest a new companion be added in the form of Andra's favourite animal; the Dire Bear.

Partially used suggestion.

After the next module update, those with animal companions and familiars will be able to give their buddy a ring and an amulet to help them out.

Two items, unlike the dragon companion's three.  I don't see small animals like birds and cats being able to use (or putting up with) belts.  Plus, it's just something the dragons have better than regular companions/familiars.