====== Animal Companions ======

Upon taking the [[paths:nature_path#nature_s_companion|Nature's Companion]] Talent, you form a close bond with an animal, plant, or vermin companion. Unlike normal animals of its kind, an Animal Companion may have its abilities increased by spending [[game_systems:experience|Experience]] - see [[equipment:magic_items:companion_cracker|Companion Crackers]].

When you first gain an Animal Companion, it possesses the following:

  * [[priority:prowess|BaB]] 1
  * [[priority:health|HD]] 1
  * [[priority:skills|Skill ranks]] x2
  * One Talent of your choice
  * The [[paths:nature_path:animal_companions:nature_s_companion_talents#link_ex|Link]] Talent
  * The [[paths:nature_path:animal_companions:nature_s_companion_talents#share_spells_ex|Share Spells]] Talent
  * One [[:paths|Path]] (no Talents included)

<WRAP center round info 60%>
The combined total Experience of all of your companions may never exceed more than half of their master's total Experience.
</WRAP>

===== Companion Choices =====

By default, you may choose an Animal, Plant, or Vermin as a companion. If you select the [[paths:nature_path#beast_speaker|Beast Speaker]] Talent, you may instead select a magical beast.

  * [[~:Animal Companions List]] - [[https://aonprd.com/DruidCompanions.aspx?ItemName=All&Category=Animal|Temporary Link]]
  * [[~:Magical Beast Companions List]] - [[https://aonprd.com/DruidCompanions.aspx?ItemName=All&Category=Monstrous|Temporary Link]]
  * [[~:Plant Companions List]] - [[https://aonprd.com/DruidCompanions.aspx?ItemName=All&Category=Plant|Temporary Link]]
  * [[~:Vermin Companions List]] - [[https://aonprd.com/DruidCompanions.aspx?ItemName=All&Category=Vermin|Temporary Link]]

===== Companion Talents & Tricks=====

Below is a collection of unique Talents available for Companions. You may also purchase [[chargen:universal_talents|Universal Talents]] or Talents via [[:paths|Paths]] for an Animal Companion, if they meet the prerequisites. An Animal Companion may never gain [[priority:magic|Caster Levels]]. 

  * [[~:Nature's Companion Talents]]

You may teach your Companion one bonus Trick for every 5 [[priority:health|HD]] or [[priority:prowess|BaB]] you purchase for it (maximum of 8 bonus tricks at HD 20 and BaB 20). These bonus tricks don’t require any training time or [[priority:skills:handle_animal|Handle Animal]] checks, and they don’t count against the normal limit of tricks known by the animal. You select these bonus tricks, and once selected, they can’t be changed outside of Retraining. For more information on Tricks, see the [[priority:skills:handle_animal|Handle Animal]] page.

===== Directing a Companion in Combat =====

In combat, you and your Animal Companion share actions, meaning that you may spend a Half Action on yourself, a Half Action with the Animal Companion, or any other mixing thereof.

===== Magical Items =====

Companions may freely wear magical items, but they lack many of the slots that normal humanoids do. See the below table as a general guide, and consult with your GM if a particular item or slot is not clearly defined.

==== Table: Magic Item Slots for Animals ====
{{tablelayout?rowsHeaderSource=Auto&colwidth=""}}
^ Body Type                   ^ Available Slots                                                                        ^ Grasp/Carry  ^
| Avian                       | Armor, belt, chest (saddle), eyes, head, headband, neck, ring, wrist                   | Yes          |
| Biped (claws/paws)          | Armor, belt, chest, eyes, head, headband, neck, ring, shoulders, wrist                 | Yes          |
| Biped (hands)               | All item slots                                                                         | Yes          |
| Piscine                     | Belt, chest (saddle), eyes                                                             | No           |
| Quadruped (claws)           | Armor, belt (saddle), chest, eyes, head, headband, neck, shoulders, wrist              | No           |
| Quadruped (hooves)          | Armor, belt (saddle), chest, eyes, feet (horseshoes), head, headband, neck, shoulders  | No           |
| Quadruped (other)           | Armor, belt (saddle), chest, eyes, head, headband, neck, shoulders, wrist              | No           |
| Quadruped (short legs)      | Armor, eyes, head, headband, neck, shoulders                                           | No           |
| Serpentine                  | Belt, eyes, headband                                                                   | No           |
| Unusual (plant and vermin)  | Belt, eyes                                                                             | No           |