New Spell: Animal Friendship
ZanathKariashi
Member Posts: 2,869
A new 1st lvl druid spell, that is basically a divine version of Find Familiar.
Calls an animal to act as a companion for the Druid or Ranger. Must be used outside and in a wilderness area. Counts against the 1 familiar party limit. Only the PC can cast this spell.
Unlike Find Familiar, the type of animal companion is chosen at the time of casting.
Rabbit
Ferret
Cat
Wolf
Black Bear
Dismiss Companion
Unlike the mage versions, these pets are completely normal animals (lacking stuff such as magic resistance), the caster also does not gain any additional HP (but also never suffers permanent Con loss in the event of the companion's death), but as part of the friendship spell CAN converse with their caller.
The rabbit, Ferret, and Cat can be stowed similar to the mage familars and possess various skills to make up for their lack of combat abilities.
The Rabbit is a speedy animal with a keen sense for danger (5% Detect Illusion, 55% Detect traps-cannot disarm) (+3 speed).
The Ferret is a natural thief (30% Stealth, 65% Pickpocket) (+1 speed).
And the cat is makes an excellent scout (75% stealth) (+1 speed).
The Wolf is a moderate damage, but fragile speedster (+3 speed).
The bear is a tough and powerful companion, though a little sluggish compared to the other companions (normal speed).
The final choice is Dismiss Companion. When targeted on an animal companion, it dismisses them back into the wilds without penalty. A new companion cannot be called for 24 hours. Handy for updating a companion's stats at a new level threshold or for keeping one of the larger companion's safe when heading into a highly dangerous area.
While the animals all start with normal base stats for their type, for every 3 levels of the caster, they gain an additional +1 HD, resulting in higher hp, hit, and saves as normal. Small animals gain 1d4, wolves gain 1d6, and bears gain 1d8. Saves and thac0 by the fighter chart. Small companions gain +5% to their skills for every 2 HD they acquire. Wolves and Bears gain +1 AC for every 2 HD they acquire. Beginning at lvl 8, animal companion's can strike as if +1. This bonus increases by +1 every 8 levels (maximum of +3 at 24). Only applies with regard to hit-requirements, not hit/damage.
---------------------------------------------------
Penalty-
If an animal companion is slain the caster suffers a 40% Spell failure chance and -2 hit/damage/saves for 1 week due to their grief. A new companion cannot be called for the duration of this effect. Any attempt to do so results in the spell failing.
-------------------------------
Changes to classes.
Beastmasters now gain 1 cast of Animal Friendship as an innate ability at lvl 1, instead of Find Familiar.
Calls an animal to act as a companion for the Druid or Ranger. Must be used outside and in a wilderness area. Counts against the 1 familiar party limit. Only the PC can cast this spell.
Unlike Find Familiar, the type of animal companion is chosen at the time of casting.
Rabbit
Ferret
Cat
Wolf
Black Bear
Dismiss Companion
Unlike the mage versions, these pets are completely normal animals (lacking stuff such as magic resistance), the caster also does not gain any additional HP (but also never suffers permanent Con loss in the event of the companion's death), but as part of the friendship spell CAN converse with their caller.
The rabbit, Ferret, and Cat can be stowed similar to the mage familars and possess various skills to make up for their lack of combat abilities.
The Rabbit is a speedy animal with a keen sense for danger (5% Detect Illusion, 55% Detect traps-cannot disarm) (+3 speed).
The Ferret is a natural thief (30% Stealth, 65% Pickpocket) (+1 speed).
And the cat is makes an excellent scout (75% stealth) (+1 speed).
The Wolf is a moderate damage, but fragile speedster (+3 speed).
The bear is a tough and powerful companion, though a little sluggish compared to the other companions (normal speed).
The final choice is Dismiss Companion. When targeted on an animal companion, it dismisses them back into the wilds without penalty. A new companion cannot be called for 24 hours. Handy for updating a companion's stats at a new level threshold or for keeping one of the larger companion's safe when heading into a highly dangerous area.
While the animals all start with normal base stats for their type, for every 3 levels of the caster, they gain an additional +1 HD, resulting in higher hp, hit, and saves as normal. Small animals gain 1d4, wolves gain 1d6, and bears gain 1d8. Saves and thac0 by the fighter chart. Small companions gain +5% to their skills for every 2 HD they acquire. Wolves and Bears gain +1 AC for every 2 HD they acquire. Beginning at lvl 8, animal companion's can strike as if +1. This bonus increases by +1 every 8 levels (maximum of +3 at 24). Only applies with regard to hit-requirements, not hit/damage.
---------------------------------------------------
Penalty-
If an animal companion is slain the caster suffers a 40% Spell failure chance and -2 hit/damage/saves for 1 week due to their grief. A new companion cannot be called for the duration of this effect. Any attempt to do so results in the spell failing.
-------------------------------
Changes to classes.
Beastmasters now gain 1 cast of Animal Friendship as an innate ability at lvl 1, instead of Find Familiar.
4
Comments
And technically the only mechanical difference between a wolf and dire wolf or black bear and grizzly bear is their HD, which is already accounted for, due to allowing the companions to grow stronger as the caster levels.
I mean, hell you could add a panther to act a stealthy BSer, a smaller snake with poisonous bite (or a giant spider with a poisonous bite and can shoot a non-magical web once per day), or a larger one that on hit, can attempt to constrict (hold) enemies while dealing blunt damage per round until they manage to break free by making a successful save vs paralysis.
Though I don't want to throw too much out at once. Further additions can be petitioned for AFTER the spell is already added, since adding new companions to choose from is the easy part.
Truth be told, the smaller companions are actually the ones intended for the beastmaster, since they're already a very powerful melee combatant. The wolf and especially bear are more intended for the druid who is much less offensively gifted, especially in the early game. Though it's ultimately up to the player. They might want to play a bow-using beastmaster in which case the wolf or bear would make an excellent tank or assist.
Technically speaking the wolf and bear would be similar to my revised druid forms versions.
It should be actived.
I mean, Wilson already improves Ranger/Druid role playing, but I would prefer an animal like a Mage familiar.
https://forums.beamdog.com/discussion/50975/mod-animal-companions-for-rangers-and-druids-for-bg1ee-sod-bg2ee-eet/p1
What has the animal companion got that ruins the game and the mage familiar hasn't got?
The old 1st lvl Animal friendship spell for druids in PnP was one of my favorites though.
Given that, I could also see it offered as a standard spell for druids, standard.
I hope necroposting is better than doubleposting.
Do I really risk to be banned?
Done
https://support.baldursgate.com/issues/34628