Update : in the current version, when (only) you open any character sheet or backpack, the portrait of the Animal Companion now shows, so you can easily see its HP and status there.
Loving Kingmaker. However, they have some work to do. #1. Obviously, keep fixing the bugs. This can end up AAA Quality if they keep fixing the bugs. #2. While fixing the bugs, keep that Art Team BUSY! I want 100+ Portraits... each 'Race/Gender Combo' should have a Portrait that can represent each Class 'at a glance', and then some extra. I mean the 'Art' is done until DLC Content expands the Game... gives them something to do that actually helps. #3. Little Things. Like putting Names on the Portraits for when you Select Party when leaving a Base... if you have 2 of the Same Portrait you can not know who is who until you select them. That shouldn't happen. Even if it's a Tooltip Hover that gives you Information about the Character, that would be fine. It's a Quality of Life thing. #4. Consider giving Mercs 25 Points, like your Character gets. Or an Option for Starting Points that affects your Character and Mercs since Point Buy is the only Option for Creation that we have. You want a Torture Run, 15 Points. Hard, 20. Normal, 25. Epic Heroic, 30. #5. Look at the Mods already out (of which there are few, but crucial). Put the Character Editor in the Game. Fix it so that Mercs created at Level 1 are actually Level 2, since you're going to be Level 2 right after you buy them. It's stupid that they are penalized by only having 20 Points AND being a Level Behind. Let us fix the mistakes or 'flavor fudges' on the In Game Companions. And for the love, as I said above, give us more Portraits so we don't have to download stuff into folders from outside sources. #6. REMEMBER, Content Creators (UA-cam, Twitch, Mixer) can Make/Break your Game! The above things really help them out. I don't want to import mods that require me to place stuff in Folders... some are more Tech Savvy and don't mind. But if a DLC can fix those things, that's huge. Can you imagine your Favorite Creator doing "Insane Mode, Highest Difficult, Lowest Point Buy!" or "Everyone a Chosen One!" Play Throughs? THAT excites Viewers, which in turn generates more Players and Interest. It's 2018, going into 2019... games really have to keep Creators in mind when they make the Games, for MAXIMUM success.
I like the Dog because of the TRIP ability. I'm sure there are better reasons, but tripping an enemy at range and then unloading a quiver's worth of arrows into his prone ass feels...right.
You're awesome Tony! Thanks for all your videos! Going to mix my Amiri to pick up a Mastodon companion. Wish I could make her a Maddog so I didn't have to pick another class, but ah well.
Go to Olegs and talk to the Pathfinder guy and not only can you buy mercenaries you can respec any character. So you could respec as maddog if you want
@@rangertony Unfortunately, no. All companions keep their lvl1 class, regardless of respec. Thus, Amiri will always have one lvl of vanilla barbarian - I tried to respec her into Armored Hulk, but the game said no. This might have to do with the fact that companions each have some flavored feats that the developer probably wanted them to keep. This isn't really great, as Harrim, for example, would make a good druid due to his stat block, but his Heavy Armor feat works against him until you find stone armor, as well as his cleric lvl slightly slowing your/your animal's progression. Mods can help, but that's a given.
Giant Centipede works out better than I thought. after level 7, the poison can do 1d3 damage to strength & dexterity. Con based DC on poison so you can give it bear's endurance buff :). woot!
Though, it seems like rend for bear doesn't work. UPD: it seems it works. Though you won't find it in character description nor in combat logs. In logs it appears as extra attack (without roll for hit) after any second successfuly landed attack.
@@rangertony in a way it makes bear a bit closer to smilodon. It grants him 100% successful extra attack if he didn't miss two attacks in a row. I can't really calculate chances, but for me it was close to +1 extra attack in two sequences(means +1extra attack every second round).
Rangertony, thanks for this very clear video. Quick question : which class produces the best passive buffs (bonds for example) on animals ? What about the active buffs (bard, cleric, aura of paladins) ? Thank you !
Ranger definitely has animal companion buffs and I believe the druid does as well but I have not really played with the druid much. Having said that clerics and wizards will have buffs that work on the whole party so they will work as well
And best Animal Video by far till now.. The olny thing i miss was a litl detail about the feats.. I think in them are the secrets of the misterios 4 attack.. And i think the defence against some kind of attack are much less then others..
Monster Tactician is a little different. It's a summons, not a companion. On the one hand, you have to take time to summon it before a fight, but on the other hand you can resummon it mid-fight if it goes down. You also use a different Feat (Spell Focus: Conjuration > Augmented Summons) to improve your Pokemon vs an Animal Companion.
I have not heard that they do not work, but I have not played enough with the animal companions to really evaluate them On the plus side Animal companions may soon be easier to manage because there are interface updates coming for PFKM that display the Animal Companions stats next to the player stats in the Character screen. Still wish there was some health meter for the Animal Companions on the toolbar but this is heading in the right direction
is there a way to make a druid or ranger with animal companion that's good at melee range? by good I mean deals reason able damage and can cast buffs to improve resistance to damage (or the other way around)
I think there is. By definition the Ranger is good at melee range. Your combat styles give you advantages to a chosen combat style and while the Ranger is not able to buff much you do have access to some divine spells at higher levels that can buff or protect. Also the Ranger is able to use Medium Armor so they have a good amount of protection already. The Druid is not as proficient with weapons and is restricted to non-metal armor and will ultimately do less melee damage, but they have access to a vast array of spells some of which are very powerful both offensively and defensively. Finally the Druid can shape change once per day into a wolf (at early levels), leopard, small elemental, bear, medium elemental, smilodon, large elemental, shambling mound or huge elemental. While personally I am not into Druid I have seen players solo various other CRPG as druids because of their versatility. AS the name suggests I am more of a Ranger type guy.
So I need a Class with Animal Companion and an insane Trickery (so Dex Class with Trickery as Class Skill, that has an Animal Companion). I hate not being able to open stuff when in a Capitol. Why they don't have your Party's best scores... like you can't call Linzi over to open something in Town... is beyond me. Nope, if you want to open EVERYTHING in the Game, forced to play as a Trickery. DUMB!
You are not going to be able to get something with Trickery as a Class skill, however all you really need to do is create a character that has an animal companion and max out dex as much as you can. There are 2 options there Default Ranger if you are willing to wait to get the animal companion. I would recommend any of my Dex based Ranger builds for this Or Sylvean Sorcerer. For all Arcane spell casters you really want as high Dex as possible so that your Ranged Touch attack spells can hit more often. Starr the Sorcerer with Dex 18 and leave you Cha as low as you dare (i.e. 15) and then build up Cha later with your bonus ability points and magical items. Your spells will not be as powerful because there will be a slightly higher chance they can be evaded etc due to lower Cha, but you will hit more often with Rays etc and you will have a pretty good trickery and Animal Companion from level 1
It is certainly possible to do this yes. I would recommend a Human Str based Ranger starting with Exotic Weapon (Bastard Sword), Weapon Focus (Bastard Sword) and then take Two Weapon Combat at Lvl 2. You are not going to get your Animal Companion until Lvl 4, and then you should get Boon Companion at Lvl 5 to make sure that the Animal Companion is max level.
For some definitions of massive yes. Rather than -2/-2 your attack penalties would be -4/-4. That is a bit of a heavy penalty at low levels but you will hardly notice it at higher levels
RangerTony: How did you reach these numbers?
Kingmaker: I did the math in my head.
RangerTony: Can you show your work?
Kingmaker: No
Update : in the current version, when (only) you open any character sheet or backpack, the portrait of the Animal Companion now shows, so you can easily see its HP and status there.
Loving Kingmaker. However, they have some work to do.
#1. Obviously, keep fixing the bugs. This can end up AAA Quality if they keep fixing the bugs.
#2. While fixing the bugs, keep that Art Team BUSY! I want 100+ Portraits... each 'Race/Gender Combo' should have a Portrait that can represent each Class 'at a glance', and then some extra. I mean the 'Art' is done until DLC Content expands the Game... gives them something to do that actually helps.
#3. Little Things. Like putting Names on the Portraits for when you Select Party when leaving a Base... if you have 2 of the Same Portrait you can not know who is who until you select them. That shouldn't happen. Even if it's a Tooltip Hover that gives you Information about the Character, that would be fine. It's a Quality of Life thing.
#4. Consider giving Mercs 25 Points, like your Character gets. Or an Option for Starting Points that affects your Character and Mercs since Point Buy is the only Option for Creation that we have. You want a Torture Run, 15 Points. Hard, 20. Normal, 25. Epic Heroic, 30.
#5. Look at the Mods already out (of which there are few, but crucial). Put the Character Editor in the Game. Fix it so that Mercs created at Level 1 are actually Level 2, since you're going to be Level 2 right after you buy them. It's stupid that they are penalized by only having 20 Points AND being a Level Behind. Let us fix the mistakes or 'flavor fudges' on the In Game Companions. And for the love, as I said above, give us more Portraits so we don't have to download stuff into folders from outside sources.
#6. REMEMBER, Content Creators (UA-cam, Twitch, Mixer) can Make/Break your Game! The above things really help them out. I don't want to import mods that require me to place stuff in Folders... some are more Tech Savvy and don't mind. But if a DLC can fix those things, that's huge. Can you imagine your Favorite Creator doing "Insane Mode, Highest Difficult, Lowest Point Buy!" or "Everyone a Chosen One!" Play Throughs? THAT excites Viewers, which in turn generates more Players and Interest. It's 2018, going into 2019... games really have to keep Creators in mind when they make the Games, for MAXIMUM success.
I like the Dog because of the TRIP ability. I'm sure there are better reasons, but tripping an enemy at range and then unloading a quiver's worth of arrows into his prone ass feels...right.
Thank you for the guides! This is my first experience with pathfinder and your channel is helping me at set up for my second attempt!
Glad I could help!
And now I make a 6 Animal Companion Party! WOOHOO!
You're awesome Tony! Thanks for all your videos!
Going to mix my Amiri to pick up a Mastodon companion. Wish I could make her a Maddog so I didn't have to pick another class, but ah well.
Go to Olegs and talk to the Pathfinder guy and not only can you buy mercenaries you can respec any character. So you could respec as maddog if you want
@@rangertony Oh wow, I did not know that!
That makes life so much easier, thank you!
Got a life-long sub from me. Keep up the good work!
she actually does decently well if you go into Sacred Huntsmaster with STR domain from Gorum
@@rangertony Unfortunately, no. All companions keep their lvl1 class, regardless of respec. Thus, Amiri will always have one lvl of vanilla barbarian - I tried to respec her into Armored Hulk, but the game said no.
This might have to do with the fact that companions each have some flavored feats that the developer probably wanted them to keep. This isn't really great, as Harrim, for example, would make a good druid due to his stat block, but his Heavy Armor feat works against him until you find stone armor, as well as his cleric lvl slightly slowing your/your animal's progression.
Mods can help, but that's a given.
Giant Centipede works out better than I thought. after level 7, the poison can do 1d3 damage to strength & dexterity. Con based DC on poison so you can give it bear's endurance buff :). woot!
Centiped poison its goodlike, it kills shit hardcore, and dog trip, plus ranger spell that gives you sneak attacks are good like too
Thanks for this video. I'm going to start a new game with a Druid in my party, so this was very helpful.
Interesting.
Who's the best animal companion in your opinion?
Though, it seems like rend for bear doesn't work.
UPD: it seems it works. Though you won't find it in character description nor in combat logs. In logs it appears as extra attack (without roll for hit) after any second successfuly landed attack.
Thanks for the update
@@rangertony in a way it makes bear a bit closer to smilodon. It grants him 100% successful extra attack if he didn't miss two attacks in a row. I can't really calculate chances, but for me it was close to +1 extra attack in two sequences(means +1extra attack every second round).
awsome info.thanks alot for sharing.nice when new to this ruleset
Rangertony, thanks for this very clear video. Quick question : which class produces the best passive buffs (bonds for example) on animals ? What about the active buffs (bard, cleric, aura of paladins) ? Thank you !
Ranger definitely has animal companion buffs and I believe the druid does as well but I have not really played with the druid much.
Having said that clerics and wizards will have buffs that work on the whole party so they will work as well
You can argue that a mastodon dont have so much str in his attack, a dog knows how to bite...
And best Animal Video by far till now.. The olny thing i miss was a litl detail about the feats.. I think in them are the secrets of the misterios 4 attack.. And i think the defence against some kind of attack are much less then others..
Thanks for making this video
Monster Tactician (Inquisitor) can also have a pet.
All inquisitors can if they take animal diety/focus I believe
@@mykeusgaming1510 Yes!
Monster Tactician is a little different. It's a summons, not a companion. On the one hand, you have to take time to summon it before a fight, but on the other hand you can resummon it mid-fight if it goes down. You also use a different Feat (Spell Focus: Conjuration > Augmented Summons) to improve your Pokemon vs an Animal Companion.
@@Bankstercide I played Monster Tactician with a Smilodon plus all the summonend creatures.
it is a great option, very much worth it
Do their other abilities actually work? Trample, overrun, ferocity and such?
I have not heard that they do not work, but I have not played enough with the animal companions to really evaluate them
On the plus side Animal companions may soon be easier to manage because there are interface updates coming for PFKM that display the Animal Companions stats next to the player stats in the Character screen. Still wish there was some health meter for the Animal Companions on the toolbar but this is heading in the right direction
the only one i have heard mention of not working is the trample from Dumbo
I can say that right now, my leopard charges effectively
Pathfinder rulebook has the animal ally feat is that feat in the game?
is there a way to make a druid or ranger with animal companion that's good at melee range? by good I mean deals reason able damage and can cast buffs to improve resistance to damage (or the other way around)
I think there is.
By definition the Ranger is good at melee range. Your combat styles give you advantages to a chosen combat style and while the Ranger is not able to buff much you do have access to some divine spells at higher levels that can buff or protect. Also the Ranger is able to use Medium Armor so they have a good amount of protection already.
The Druid is not as proficient with weapons and is restricted to non-metal armor and will ultimately do less melee damage, but they have access to a vast array of spells some of which are very powerful both offensively and defensively. Finally the Druid can shape change once per day into a wolf (at early levels), leopard, small elemental, bear, medium elemental, smilodon, large elemental, shambling mound or huge elemental.
While personally I am not into Druid I have seen players solo various other CRPG as druids because of their versatility. AS the name suggests I am more of a Ranger type guy.
@@rangertony any important feats you have in mind?
@@virgilioventura8698 ua-cam.com/video/b7dThBJME70/v-deo.html
So I need a Class with Animal Companion and an insane Trickery (so Dex Class with Trickery as Class Skill, that has an Animal Companion).
I hate not being able to open stuff when in a Capitol. Why they don't have your Party's best scores... like you can't call Linzi over to open something in Town... is beyond me.
Nope, if you want to open EVERYTHING in the Game, forced to play as a Trickery. DUMB!
You are not going to be able to get something with Trickery as a Class skill, however all you really need to do is create a character that has an animal companion and max out dex as much as you can. There are 2 options there
Default Ranger if you are willing to wait to get the animal companion. I would recommend any of my Dex based Ranger builds for this
Or Sylvean Sorcerer. For all Arcane spell casters you really want as high Dex as possible so that your Ranged Touch attack spells can hit more often. Starr the Sorcerer with Dex 18 and leave you Cha as low as you dare (i.e. 15) and then build up Cha later with your bonus ability points and magical items. Your spells will not be as powerful because there will be a slightly higher chance they can be evaded etc due to lower Cha, but you will hit more often with Rays etc and you will have a pretty good trickery and Animal Companion from level 1
Can you make a build with dual bastard swords and an animal companion ?
It is certainly possible to do this yes. I would recommend a Human Str based Ranger starting with Exotic Weapon (Bastard Sword), Weapon Focus (Bastard Sword) and then take Two Weapon Combat at Lvl 2. You are not going to get your Animal Companion until Lvl 4, and then you should get Boon Companion at Lvl 5 to make sure that the Animal Companion is max level.
dual bastard swords will have massive penalties to attack rolls.
For some definitions of massive yes.
Rather than -2/-2 your attack penalties would be -4/-4. That is a bit of a heavy penalty at low levels but you will hardly notice it at higher levels
I prefer the wolf
Hi, can you rename de animal companion ?
No sorry you cannot
:'(