Unleash the Power of Your Animal Companion with 3.5 Feats!
As a Ranger or a Druid, having an animal companion is a valuable asset in combat. They can deal damage, provide support, and even act as distractions for your enemies. However, to truly enhance their abilities, you need to invest in Animal Companion Feats. In this article, we will discuss the top 3.5 Animal Companion Feats that you should consider picking up.
1. Improved Natural Armor
The first Animal Companion Feat that we recommend is the Improved Natural Armor Feat. This Feat grants your animal companion extra protection in combat by increasing their natural armor bonus by +1. This benefit improves as they level up, ensuring that they stay relevant in tougher battles. It also stacks with other armor bonuses from items, spells, and effects.
This Feat is particularly useful for characters who are focused on tanking or keeping their familiar alive by providing extra defenses.
2. Weapon Focus
If you are looking to increase your animal companion's damage output, then the Weapon Focus Feat is a must-have. This Feat allows your animal companion to become more proficient with a specific weapon, granting them a +1 bonus to attack rolls when using that weapon. This bonus increases to +2 at level eight and +3 at level fifteen.
Choosing the right weapon for your animal companion is important, especially since some creatures may be more proficient with certain types. For example, bears are strong and naturally suited for using claws or biting, while wolves are more adept at using their teeth and jaws.
3. Improved Evasion
Finally, we have the Improved Evasion Feat. This is a powerful Feat that grants your animal companion the ability to avoid attacks completely if they make a successful Reflex save. Not only does this prevent your animal companion from taking damage, but it also allows them to keep fighting without needing to retreat or heal.
This Feat is particularly useful if you find your animal companion taking too much damage in combat. It allows them to become more agile and maneuverable, making it easier for them to dodge attacks and navigate difficult terrain.
Conclusion
In conclusion, Animal Companion Feats are a key aspect of any Ranger or Druid's build. By investing in these Feats, you can ensure that your animal companion remains a relevant and valuable asset in combat. We recommend considering the Improved Natural Armor, Weapon Focus, and Improved Evasion Feats, as they can significantly improve your animal companion's effectiveness.
Remember to choose Feats that complement your play style, and take the time to understand your animal companion's strengths and weaknesses. With the right Feats, strategy, and patience, your animal companion can become a true force to be reckoned with on the battlefield.
3.5 Animal Companion Feats Comparison
The Importance of Animal Companions in 3.5
In the 3.5 edition of Dungeons & Dragons, players have the option of choosing an animal companion to assist them in their quests. These animal companions can be invaluable allies in combat and provide a number of tactical advantages. However, in order to maximize the potential of an animal companion, it is important to invest in the appropriate feats. In this article, we will compare three popular animal companion feats: Combat Reflexes, Power Attack, and Improved Natural Armor.The Breakdown: Combat Reflexes
Combat Reflexes is a feat that allows an animal companion to make multiple attacks of opportunity in a single round. This feat is particularly useful for animal companions with reach weapons or those that are frequently threatened by enemies. With Combat Reflexes, an animal companion can take up to six attacks of opportunity per round, making them a formidable opponent in combat.One of the benefits of Combat Reflexes is that it does not require any prerequisites. This means that it can be taken at any time, regardless of the animal companion's level or other feats. Additionally, Combat Reflexes is a great choice for animal companions that are focused on melee combat, as it allows them to deal damage without having to use one of their limited actions.Pros:
- Allows for multiple attacks of opportunity per round
- No prerequisites required
- Ideal for melee-focused animal companions
Cons:
- Requires a high Dexterity score
- Not as useful for animal companions that rely on spells or special abilities
- Can be less effective against opponents with high AC or who are immune to attacks of opportunity
The Breakdown: Power Attack
Power Attack is a feat that allows an animal companion to trade accuracy for damage on their melee attacks. This feat is particularly useful for animal companions that have high Strength scores, as they can deal significant damage with each hit. With Power Attack, an animal companion can add up to their base attack bonus (BAB) in extra damage, which can be a significant boost to their overall damage output.The downside of Power Attack is that it requires a high Strength score and BAB. Additionally, it does not work with certain types of weapons, such as ranged weapons or natural weapons like claws or bites. However, for animal companions that are focused on melee combat, Power Attack can be a great choice and can significantly improve their damage output.Pros:
- Allows animal companion to trade accuracy for damage
- Can add up to the animal companion's BAB in extra damage
- Ideal for animal companions with high Strength scores
Cons:
- Requires a high BAB
- Does not work with ranged weapons or natural weapons
- Can make the animal companion more vulnerable to counterattacks
The Breakdown: Improved Natural Armor
Improved Natural Armor is a feat that allows an animal companion to improve their natural armor class score. This feat is particularly useful for animal companions that are often targeted by opponents or that are frequently used as frontline fighters. With Improved Natural Armor, an animal companion can add up to 2 to their natural armor score, making them harder to hit and more resistant to damage.One of the benefits of Improved Natural Armor is that it does not require any prerequisites. Additionally, it is a great choice for animal companions that are focused on defense and survivability. However, it is less useful for animal companions that rely on mobility or special abilities, as it does not improve their overall combat effectiveness.Pros:
- Improves natural armor class score
- No prerequisites required
- Ideal for animal companions focused on defense and survivability
Cons:
- Less useful for animal companions that rely on mobility or special abilities
- Does not improve overall combat effectiveness
- May be less effective against opponents with high attack bonuses or damage output
Table Comparison
| Feat | Pros | Cons |
|---|---|---|
| Combat Reflexes | Allows for multiple attacks of opportunity per round No prerequisites required Ideal for melee-focused animal companions | Requires a high Dexterity score Not as useful for animal companions that rely on spells or special abilities Can be less effective against opponents with high AC or who are immune to attacks of opportunity |
| Power Attack | Allows animal companion to trade accuracy for damage Can add up to the animal companion's BAB in extra damage Ideal for animal companions with high Strength scores | Requires a high BAB Does not work with ranged weapons or natural weapons Can make the animal companion more vulnerable to counterattacks |
| Improved Natural Armor | Improves natural armor class score No prerequisites required Ideal for animal companions focused on defense and survivability | Less useful for animal companions that rely on mobility or special abilities Does not improve overall combat effectiveness May be less effective against opponents with high attack bonuses or damage output |
My Opinion
In my opinion, each of these feats has its own strengths and weaknesses, and the best choice will depend on the specific needs and abilities of your animal companion. Combat Reflexes is a great choice for animal companions that are focused on melee combat or are frequently threatened by opponents. Power Attack is ideal for animal companions with high Strength scores and that are focused on dealing damage in combat. And Improved Natural Armor is a great choice for animal companions that are primarily focused on defense and survivability.Overall, the best choice will depend on your play style and the specific characteristics of your animal companion. However, investing in one or more of these feats can help to maximize the potential of your animal companion and make them a valuable ally in your quests.3.5 Animal Companion Feats: A Comprehensive Guide for Budding Animal Handlers
Introduction
One of the most exciting aspects of playing a druid or ranger in Dungeons & Dragons 3.5 is having an animal companion. An animal companion is a faithful furry (or feathery, or scaly) friend who will follow you through thick and thin, fighting by your side and helping you navigate the wilderness. But what really sets apart a good animal companion from a great one are feats – specialized abilities that can make your animal companion even more effective in combat and beyond.The Basics: Animal Companion Feats 101
Animal companion feats are feats that you can take to enhance the abilities of your animal companion. Unlike regular feats, animal companion feats can only be taken by characters who have an animal companion, such as a druid or ranger. These feats are divided into three categories: general, combat, and teamwork.General feats improve your animal companion's overall abilities, making them better at everything they do. Combat feats are focused on improving your companion's combat prowess, while teamwork feats are all about working together with your animal companion to achieve a common goal.General Feats
The first category of animal companion feats is general feats. These feats provide a variety of improvements that make your animal companion better in every situation. Here are some of the most useful general feats:Heighten Spell-like Ability: Allows your animal companion to use its spell-like abilities more effectively.Intelligent Animal: Boosts your animal companion's Intelligence score, allowing it to learn more tricks and understand complex commands.Nature Sense: Improves your animal companion's ability to detect and identify plants and animals.Track: Gives your animal companion the ability to track prey, even in difficult terrain.Combat Feats
The second category of animal companion feats is combat feats. These feats are focused on making your animal companion more effective in combat, either by boosting its offensive capabilities or improving its defense. Here are some of the best combat feats:Improved Natural Attack: Boosts the damage output of your animal companion's natural attacks.Multiattack: Allows your animal companion to make additional attacks, albeit at a slightly reduced bonus.Pounce: Gives your animal companion the ability to charge and make a full attack in the same round.Rend: Allows your animal companion to deal extra damage with its claws when it hits with both attacks.Teamwork Feats
The final category of animal companion feats is teamwork feats. These feats are designed to help you and your animal companion work together more effectively, providing various bonuses when you fight side by side. Here are some of the best teamwork feats:Coordinated Charge: Allows you and your animal companion to charge together, increasing the damage you both deal.Flanking Defense: Improves your animal companion's ability to protect you when you're flanked by enemies.Outflank: Increases your chances to hit and crit when you and your animal companion flank the same target.Pack Flanking: Boosts your animal companion's flanking bonus when it's adjacent to another ally who's also flanking.Conclusion
With this guide, you should now have a good understanding of the different types of animal companion feats available in D&D 3.5. Whether you're a ranger looking to turn your wolf into a terrifying killing machine or a druid hoping to use her bear to tank for the party, there's a feat out there that can help you achieve your goal. Just remember to choose your feats carefully – with the right combination of feats, your animal companion can be an unstoppable force in any situation.Exploring the Benefits of 3.5 Animal Companion Feats
If you are someone who loves playing with animal companions in games, the 3.5 edition of Dungeons and Dragons has some great news for you! With the introduction of animal companion feats, players can now enhance the abilities of their animal companions and make them even more formidable in combat scenarios.
Animal companion feats offer a range of benefits that include improved attack rolls, armor class, and even faster movement speeds. Players can choose from a variety of different feats, each offering unique advantages that can improve the overall performance of their animal companions.
One of the most popular feats for animal companions is the Improved Natural Attack feat. This allows your animal companion to deal more damage on its natural attacks by increasing the damage dice that are rolled. With this feat, a wolf’s bite attack can deal an incredible amount of damage making it a force to be reckoned with in combat.
Another great feat for animal companions is the Toughness feat. This feat grants your animal companion additional hit points which can increase its overall survivability during fights. With this feat, your animal companion can take more damage before being knocked out of battle, giving you more time to maneuver and defeat your enemies.
A third popular feat is the Alertness feat which improves your animal companion’s perception and allows them to sense danger faster than usual. With this feat, players can have their animal companion stand guard or scout ahead without fear of being ambushed by enemy forces.
Additionally, animal companions may benefit from feats such as Combat Reflexes, Weapon Finesse, and Power Attack, among others.
Overall, animal companion feats can be a valuable asset to any player looking to bolster their animal companion’s combat prowess. They allow players to customize their animal companions according to their playing style, and offer a wide range of tactical advantages when battling in Dungeons and Dragons.
So why not take your animal companion game to the next level and explore the benefits of 3.5 animal companion feats? Whether you are an experienced player or just starting out, these feats offer a world of opportunities to improve your gameplay and add an extra layer of excitement and strategy to your furry companion’s combat skills.
Remember, every animal companion is unique and special in its own way. With the right combination of skills, feats, and training, your animal companion can become a powerful ally in even the toughest of battles. So get out there and start exploring what animal companion feats can do for you and your furry friend!
Thank you for reading this article on 3.5 animal companion feats. We hope that you found this information useful and insightful, and that it helps you to improve your animal companion gameplay. Happy hunting!
People Also Ask About 3.5 Animal Companion Feats
What are 3.5 Animal Companion Feats?
Animal companion feats refer to the special abilities and powers that animal companions can gain in the 3.5 edition of Dungeons & Dragons. These feats allow players to customize their animal companions and make them more effective in combat.
What are some examples of 3.5 Animal Companion Feats?
Some popular 3.5 Animal Companion Feats include:
- Multiattack - Allows the animal companion to make multiple attacks in a single round.
- Improved Natural Armor - Increases the animal companion's natural armor bonus.
- Track - Allows the animal companion to track creatures by scent.
- Flyby Attack - Allows the animal companion to make an attack while flying past an opponent.
- Intimidating Roar - Makes the animal companion's roar more intimidating, demoralizing opponents.
How do I get Animal Companion Feats in 3.5?
In order to gain animal companion feats in 3.5, the character must have an animal companion. Animal companions can be gained through various means, such as the Druid class or the Leadership feat. Once the character has an animal companion, they can choose which feats to give it as it levels up.
Can I create my own 3.5 Animal Companion Feats?
While there are no official rules for creating your own 3.5 Animal Companion Feats, many DMs allow players to create custom feats with their permission. It is important to balance any custom feats with existing feats and spells to ensure fair gameplay.