pathfinder 2e animal companion guide

This guide provides a comprehensive overview of Animal Companions in Pathfinder 2e. Animal Companions are loyal comrades who follow your orders. They are a key component of druids and rangers, and through archetypes can be components of other classes. This guide will cover everything from the basics of animal companion types and abilities to advanced topics like companion feats, skills, equipment, and mounts.

Introduction

Animal Companions are a beloved feature of Pathfinder 2e, offering players a loyal and customizable ally to accompany them on their adventures. These creatures, often described as extensions of the player character, provide a unique blend of support, combat prowess, and tactical versatility. From the humble squirrel to the fearsome tiger, the selection of animal companions offers a wide range of options for players to choose from, allowing them to tailor their companions to complement their playstyle and build.

This guide delves into the intricacies of animal companions in Pathfinder 2e, providing a comprehensive understanding of their mechanics, abilities, and potential for growth. Whether you’re a seasoned Pathfinder player or a newcomer seeking to explore the world of animal companions, this resource aims to equip you with the knowledge you need to effectively utilize these powerful allies.

Animal Companions in Pathfinder 2e

Animal Companions in Pathfinder 2e represent a departure from their counterparts in previous editions. They are less like independent characters and more like a dynamic extension of the player character, with a simplified advancement system. While still retaining their classic role as loyal companions, their abilities and growth are more closely tied to the player’s progress.

A key distinction lies in their action economy. Animal Companions, being classified as “Minions,” gain two actions during the player’s turn when commanded. This allows them to contribute significantly to combat, providing a valuable third action for classes that struggle to find meaningful uses for their third action. Their actions are governed by the player’s commands, making them an extension of the player’s strategy and tactics.

Unlike previous editions, where Animal Companions were more independent entities, Pathfinder 2e emphasizes a more integrated approach, emphasizing synergy and teamwork between the player and their companion.

Animal Companion Types

Pathfinder 2e offers a diverse range of animal companions, each with unique strengths and weaknesses. These companions are categorized based on their base creature type, providing a variety of options to suit different playstyles and character builds. The selection of an animal companion is a significant decision, as it can significantly impact how your character functions in combat and exploration.

Some popular choices include⁚

• Birds of Prey⁚ Eagles, hawks, and owls provide aerial scouting and ranged attacks, making them valuable for both combat and exploration.
• Big Cats⁚ Leopards and tigers offer powerful melee attacks, ideal for flanking and dealing significant damage.
• Camels/Llamas⁚ Providing a sturdy mount and carrying capacity, these companions are perfect for travel and adventuring in harsh environments.
• Giant Rodents⁚ Capybaras, while not as intimidating as other options, are still effective companions, offering a combination of utility and combat capabilities.

Each animal companion possesses unique abilities, strengths, and weaknesses, making the selection process a strategic one. Consider the role you want your companion to play, and choose an animal companion that complements your character’s abilities and your playstyle.

Animal Companion Abilities

Animal companions in Pathfinder 2e are not simply passive pets; they possess a range of abilities that make them valuable allies in combat and exploration. These abilities are determined by the chosen animal type and the companion’s level of advancement. Their abilities are designed to be relatively simple to manage, unlike the more complex systems found in previous editions.

Animal companions are typically proficient in a limited number of skills, often relying on their natural instincts and training. They gain proficiency ranks in skills as they advance, allowing them to perform tasks like perception, stealth, and survival with greater expertise. These skills are often crucial for supporting the player character, providing vital information about the environment or assisting in navigating difficult terrain.

In combat, animal companions utilize their natural attacks, such as bites, claws, or stings, to inflict damage on enemies. They also possess various maneuvers, such as Athletics or Acrobatics, which allow them to perform actions like grappling, tripping, or leaping. Their abilities can be further enhanced through feats, allowing them to specialize in specific combat roles like flanking or dealing additional damage.

Animal Companion Advancement

Animal companions in Pathfinder 2e progress through a series of advancement stages, gaining new abilities and increasing their effectiveness as they level up. These stages represent the companion’s growth from a young, inexperienced creature to a seasoned, powerful ally. The advancement stages, along with the associated abilities and feats, are designed to provide a clear progression path for animal companions, ensuring that they remain relevant and useful throughout the campaign.

The first stage of advancement is the young stage, where the companion is typically a small, relatively weak creature. As the companion gains levels, it transitions to the mature stage, becoming larger, stronger, and more skilled. Further advancements lead to the savage and nimble stages, with each stage granting significant improvements to the companion’s physical attributes, skills, and abilities. These advancements can include increases in strength, dexterity, constitution, wisdom, proficiency ranks, and the acquisition of new maneuvers.

The process of advancing an animal companion is relatively straightforward, usually requiring the player to take specific feats that represent the companion’s development. These feats often involve increasing the companion’s abilities or granting them access to new actions and maneuvers. The advancement system ensures that animal companions remain a valuable asset to the player character, offering a range of benefits and contributing significantly to the party’s success.

Animal Companion Feats

Animal companions in Pathfinder 2e have access to a limited selection of feats, initially restricted by their low intelligence. The feats available to them are designed to enhance their combat abilities, support roles, and overall effectiveness as allies. These feats can be taken by the companion as it levels up, providing opportunities to specialize in specific roles or develop its strengths.

The choice of feats for an animal companion is crucial, as it directly impacts its capabilities and how it can support the party. Feats like Multiattack, Improved Evasion, and Weapon Finesse can significantly enhance the companion’s combat prowess. Other feats, like Improved Natural Attack, can increase the companion’s damage output or improve its defensive capabilities; The companion’s role and the player’s strategy should guide the selection of feats, ensuring that they contribute effectively to the party’s success.

As an animal companion gains levels, its intelligence may increase, granting it access to a wider range of feats. This allows for more strategic customization, with the companion potentially taking feats that enhance its skills, social interactions, or even its ability to understand and follow complex commands. The evolution of an animal companion’s feat selection reflects its growth, making it a more versatile and valuable asset to the party.

Animal Companion Skills

Animal companions in Pathfinder 2e have a limited selection of skills, typically determined by their intelligence score. Their skill proficiency is also limited, with a maximum of one skill rank per hit die. This restricted skill set focuses on enhancing their practical abilities, emphasizing their role as companions rather than independent characters.

Skills like Perception, Acrobatics, Stealth, and Athletics are commonly chosen for animal companions, as they directly support their roles in combat, exploration, and scouting. Perception allows them to detect enemies and traps, while Acrobatics and Stealth enhance their maneuverability and stealthy movements. Athletics can provide an edge in physical challenges and combat, allowing them to grapple, push, or pull opponents.

The choice of skills for an animal companion is influenced by its role within the party. A companion that acts as a scout might prioritize Stealth and Perception, while a combat-focused companion might favor Athletics and Acrobatics. The player should consider how the companion’s skills can be used to complement their own abilities and support the party’s overall strategy.

Animal Companion Equipment

Animal companions in Pathfinder 2e can benefit from a variety of equipment, but their options are more limited than those of player characters. Many magic items designed for humanoids may not be suitable for animals due to anatomical differences. For example, a snake might not be able to wear gloves, and a bird might not be able to carry a shield.

However, there are specific items designed for animal companions, known as “companion items.” These items have the “companion” trait, which means they only function for animal companions, familiars, and similar creatures. These items can provide benefits such as increased AC, speed, and physical ability scores.

Beyond companion items, many regular magic items can still be beneficial for animal companions. Rings of Protection, cloaks of resistance, and belts of physical ability scores are all examples of items that can enhance an animal’s defenses and capabilities. However, it is always best to check with the game master to ensure that an item is suitable for a particular animal companion before equipping it.

Animal Companion Mounts

While there isn’t a definitive list of which animal companions can serve as mounts in Pathfinder 2e, some creatures are clearly intended for this role. Horses, ponies, camels, and riding dogs are common examples, and these animals meet certain criteria that suggest they are suitable for mounting.

A good mount should generally be Medium in size or larger to comfortably carry a rider. They should also have a horizontal riding surface, such as a back or saddle, and their movement style should be conducive to riding. For instance, an ape might be too large, but its movement style is not suitable for carrying a rider.

The Beast Rider Cavalier archetype offers a list of mount choices that can be used as a general guide. If you are unsure whether a particular animal companion could be a mount, consult with your game master. They can help you determine if the creature meets the necessary criteria and make a reasonable ruling based on the specifics of your game.

Animal Companion Reach

Determining an animal companion’s reach is not explicitly covered in the Pathfinder 2e rulebooks, and Paizo has not offered official guidance on this topic. However, there are some insights to consider.

One common suggestion is to base an animal companion’s reach on the reach of the creature it is based on. For instance, if a Large Ape animal companion has a base creature with reach, it can be assumed that the companion also has reach. This logic can be applied to other animal companions as well.

For larger creatures beyond Large size, a common ruling is to reduce reach by 5 feet for each size increment. So, a Huge creature with a 15-foot reach would likely have a 10-foot reach at Large size. However, there are exceptions, such as the Diplodocus, which has a significant 60-foot reach in its Colossal form. Ultimately, it is best to consult with your game master to determine the reach of your animal companion.

Animal Companions are a versatile and powerful addition to any Pathfinder 2e character. They can be invaluable allies in combat, providing support, damage, and even acting as mounts. When choosing an animal companion, consider its strengths and weaknesses, and how it will fit into your character’s role.

Remember that Animal Companions are not simply extra characters; they are extensions of your own character. By understanding their abilities, feats, and skills, you can effectively manage their development and ensure they are a valuable asset throughout your adventures.

With careful planning and strategic choices, your Animal Companion can become a truly formidable force, making your journey through the Pathfinder world all the more exciting and rewarding.