WHat is considered a good bonded animal companion for the Pathfinder/Hermit?

[Maelora 5,807]

We have a player interested in a Seeker, who wants to play a kind of 'Ranger' character with a pet.  I'm not talking about this from a munchkin perspective, in terms of sheer stats or whatever, but a companion that is fairly portable, has decent stats so it contribute in combat and not get killed easily.

 

So we discussed what would make good criteria: 

 

Sil 0 or 1 so it can fit in ships and generally follow the PC around without being too disruptive.

 

Something that doesn't look TOO feral or scary - aklay and rancors are tough, but seeing one on a dusty street would probably send the locals into a panic. 

 

Decent stats so it can actually contribute to combat, and not get one-shotted by enemies.

 

 

Without 'Savage Spirits', which likely contains more options, I thought that the Sludge Panther from Suns of Fortune seemed to be an ideal companion.  It's Sil 1,  so you can get it early at FR2.  Despite its unappealing colour, it's essentially just a big cat, so it's not too alien or scary, and big cats are fun to play at the table, social pack animals, generally icomic as animal companions, and immediately recognisable to us as humans (I say that as a Crazy Cat Lady with two furkids...).  Also, it's a Nemesis and has decent stats (aside from a slightly low damage and strain).  

 

Anyone else have any favourite choices for a companion that will tag along for most of the adventures?

Edited June 5, 2016 by Maelora

[Richardbuxton 7,319]

The "Juvenile Animal" side bar in the FaD core book is a great way for a PC to start with a smaller animal that grows with them as they get stronger.

[Maelora 5,807]

The "Juvenile Animal" side bar in the FaD core book is a great way for a PC to start with a smaller animal that grows with them as they get stronger.

 

Yeah, we considered that. You could get a baby as soon as you get Animal Bond, then a full one at FR2. 

 

I was interested in what others choose for their Pathfinders and how well the pet integrates into their stories.

Edited June 5, 2016 by Maelora

[Blackbird888 4,110]

Tayan falcon from Strongholds of Resistance.

[RadMissFliss 90]

*Looks around for Rancor stat block*

 

 

...****!

[Richardbuxton 7,319]

*Looks around for Rancor stat block*

 

 

...****!

EotE core.

[RadMissFliss 90]

 

*Looks around for Rancor stat block*

 

 

...****!

EotE core.

 

 

Strange I didn't see it in the online database, I must have missed it!

[Richardbuxton 7,319]

I chose a Ronto for my Hunter/Protector (will get Pathfinder to bond with it later). It is a nice companion as it's "normal" so readily accepted by the wider Galaxy. It is big, so requires more space to transport, but can keep up with the majority of planetary vehicles with Speed 2. Got a nice trample is easier to train and good at carrying gear. But it's really a thing for a campaign that spends more time outside either in the streets or in the wilderness. It's not an indoor pet, although with Mental Bond it could be a great lookout tied up to the front of your local cantina.

For smaller but still effective Silhouette 1 beasts I like your feline idea. It's still going to be a bit tricky to convince security to let you bring it into your local cantina, and negotiations could be strained with "that vicious thing" in the room. But come combat time it will be nice and useful.

As a silhouette 0 animal I think a pirate with their parrot is cool, a Pathfinder/Navigator who uses their bird as a spy and scout, living on the edge relying on the force to get them through.

[Richardbuxton 7,319]

*Looks around for Rancor stat block*

...****!

EotE core.

Strange I didn't see it in the online database, I must have missed it!

I think it's called a Captive Rancor. I'll be home soon and give you a page number

Edit: Page 415, it's terrifying. It's also silhouette 3, so need a Force Rating of 6 to bond with it!!!! (Hermit + Pathfinder + Seer?)

Edited June 5, 2016 by Richardbuxton

[Decorus 672]

Krayt Dragon...

[Richardbuxton 7,319]

A Juvenile Narglatch (SoT p87) could be good, adults are Silhouette 2, a nice claw attack, 4,4,1,3,2,2 for stats.

[RadMissFliss 90]

 

 

 

*Looks around for Rancor stat block*

...****!

EotE core.

Strange I didn't see it in the online database, I must have missed it!

I think it's called a Captive Rancor. I'll be home soon and give you a page number

Edit: Page 415, it's terrifying. It's also silhouette 3, so need a Force Rating of 6 to bond with it!!!! (Hermit + Pathfinder + Seer?)

 

 

They're only silhouette 3 when they're adults!

Come, Thelonius!  Let us cry havoc and let slip the kath-hounds of war!

[Vixen Icaza 317]

Just give my player a juvenile Skysnare from pg.51 of nexus of power. Do not know how it will play out but he wanted some sort of "budgie" and I thought the creature ability was good. Stats are not great so that means the player will have to get creative with training his bird.

[Chxckmate 47]

Here is a list of all creatures listed so far in the index. http://swrpg.viluppo.net/adversaries/creatures/

[Maelora 5,807]

Sil 2 or 3 creatures seem like they'd come with issues taking them on adventures. I think we were looking at something that could actually hang out with the group for most of the time.  

[Absol197 5,296]

Always go with kitties. Kitties are the only answer.

I don't have anything useful to contribute to the conversation, but I felt this statement needed to be made.

[HappyDaze 10,108]

Sil 2 or 3 creatures seem like they'd come with issues taking them on adventures. I think we were looking at something that could actually hang out with the group for most of the time.  

Silhouette 2 allows the creature to be used as a mount by Silhouette 1 characters. That can be a lot of fun if that's what the character is going with. OTOH, if you play a Silhouette 0 species, you can use a Silhouette 1 mount.

[Absol197 5,296]

As an actual attempt to contribute, here are some new beasts from Savage Spirits that might work:

Albek: These little beasties look a bit like a crocodile with a bunch of spines on their back. Their Sil 0 rivals, and they have Preemptive Avoidance as a talent. Their 4 wounds don't give much combat toughness, though.

Creereen: Basically big bats, they're also Sil 0 Minions with only 4 wounds, but they're flyers who can stay out of trouble, and they have a shriek power that they can use to inflict strain and disorient targets that requires a Hard Resilience check to resist. Useful as a hit-and-run companion.

Jerethian Clamberwolf: More of the traditional fightin' animal companion, the clamberwolf is a Sil 1 Rival, has Brawn 4 and Agility 4, and 18 wounds, with some nice natural weapons and what is essentially the Swift talent.

Kath Hound: Another Sil 1 Rival, Kath hounds have Brawn and Agility 3, 15 wounds, some good natural weapons, and a togruta's pack instincts, granting 2 Boosts with an assist instead of 1.

Manka Cat: Yet another Sil 1 rival, the Manka cat is basically a feline version of the Kath Hound (pick this one! Do it!); it has one less soak but one more wound, 4 Agility instead of 3, and its natural weapons are a little less powerful. It also has pack instincts.

Narglatch: The blue hound things the Talz warriors in The Clone Wars ride, these Sil 1 rivals are almost a match for the Clamberwolf, with an extra soak (6) but one less wound; they only have one natural attack to the clamberwolves' two but it's still a doozy, and the Narglatch has fierce pounce, allowing it to get Knockdown if it aims its attack first.

Nexu: The Nexu of course. I'm assuming you've already considered this when you saw it from other sources.

Reek: Same as above.

These aren't all of the beasts in the book, just those that I thought matched closest to your requirements. I really like the look of the Manka Cat, but that's probably my innate bias towards all things feline at work .

[Blackbird888 4,110]

Just a thought, the hurghol in Savage Spirits, while a silhouette 2 creature, doesn't need to eat. So you can have it on a starship without having to worry about the fridge elements of having a large animal in a tiny space.

[Maelora 5,807]

Thank you - these are all great suggestions.

 

I'm sure we'll go with a kitty or puppy - um, a feline or canine.  Someone walks into a cantina with a wolf or big cat, they're making a statement: 'Back off or Fluffy here will fang you.'

 

Trying to get into a cantina with an Acklay or Rancor or Krayt Dragon will just empty the place in seconds and someone will call the pest exterminators.

 

Ooh, I don't believe I'd seen a Manka Cat before. A sabretooth would be ideal, I think.  What book is that one in?

Edited June 5, 2016 by Maelora

[Absol197 5,296]

I said they were all from Savage Spirits, didn't I? Maybe I typed it and deleted it. It's from Savage Spirits.

[Donovan Morningfire 10,200]

I'm sure we'll go with a kitty or puppy - um, a feline or canine.  Someone walks into a cantina with a wolf or big cat, they're making a statement: 'Back off or Fluffy here will fang you.'

That line put me in the mind of Mouse, aka the Dogasaurus Rex, from the Dresden Files series of books.  Big enough to be used as a pony by small children, and generally acts like your typical friendly dope of a dog so as to not frighten people.  And when Mouse drops the "friendly dope" act, people notice and tend to get very worried.  More so if they know what he actually is other than just a very, very big dog.

[Donovan Morningfire 10,200]

As for what sort of "pet" to take, I'd say pick a stat block that is agreeable to both player and GM, and then reskin it to be the sort of creature you'd like it to be, both in name and appearance.

[Richardbuxton 7,319]

As for what sort of "pet" to take, I'd say pick a stat block that is agreeable to both player and GM, and then reskin it to be the sort of creature you'd like it to be, both in name and appearance.

So much this, localise the species, give it new flourishes and a cool reason for existing in the place your Players PC came from. Pretend it's 2007 and your Tauren Hunter is looking for that Unique cat with a cool fur colour... Oh wait this isn't WOW! But still the idea of picking stats that match the home world and PC species is a good one. Is it Swift? Immune to cold? Aquatic?

[TrueMisfit 13]

Krayt Dragon...

You can find a baby Krayt in the beta adventure...so...