- This article is about the creature. For the feat, see animal companion (feat).
Animal companions are loyal allies in any battle. As your character gains experience, his or her animal companion will also grow in power.
How to get an Animal Companion[]
Animal companions cannot be directly controlled by their master. They are essentially aggressive tanks. They become more powerful as the master advances. The only penalty the master suffers from the animal companion's death is that they cannot summon the companion again until they have rested, but Obsidian stated that may change. Animal companions can be named, but cannot be tinted. [1]
- Druids get an Animal Companion at lvl 1
- Rangers get an Animal Companion at lvl 4
- Clerics with the Animal Domain get an Animal Companion at lvl 1
Note: Animal companion levels stack from different classes. For example a Druid 15/ Cleric 15 (with animal domain) will have a full level companion. Tested and confirmed in final NWN2 version.
Creature types & special abilities[]
- Badger: Rage, high attack bonus, high AC, low damage
- Wolf: Knockdown attacks
- Brown bear: Highest damage, high HP
- Boar: Highest HP, high damage, high AC
- Giant spider: Lowest HP, high damage, Poisonous attacks (1d6 STR)
- Panther: Not very good at stealth despite what the feats suggest.
- Dinosaur, added in the Storm of Zehir expansion
Side by side comparison[]
| Creature | Final HP | Highest AC | Attack bonus | Max Damage | Unique abilities |
| Badger | 156 | 30 | +16/+11/+6 | 1d2+2 | Weapon finesse, Iron will, Greater rage |
| Wolf | 156 | 29 | +13/+8/+3 | 1d6+4 | Knockdown, Weapon Focus (Creature), Low-light vision |
| Brown Bear | 169 | 29 | +15/+10/+5 | 1d8+6 | Iron Will |
| Boar | 182 | 31 | +14/+9/+4 | 1d8+5 | Toughness, Alertness |
| Giant Spider | 117 | 29 | +13/+8/+3 | 1d8+5 | Darkvision, Poisonous attacks (1d6 STR), Iron will |
| Panther | 156 | 30 | +15/+10/+5 | 1d6+6 | Alertness, Skill Focus (Hide), Skill Focus (Move Silently), Low-light vision |
| Dinosaur* | 225 | 33 | +19/+17/+15 | 1d3+8 | Low-light vision |
- requires feat
Badger progression[]
The badger is a furry animal with a squat, powerful body. Its strong forelimbs are armed with long claws for digging. Badgers may be small, but they are capable of flying into a berserk rage, becomming a devastating whirlwind of teeth and claws.
Notes: Overall the Badger is an excellent choice if you want a pet that has a high armor class that hits very often with his attacks. His hit points are a healthy average and should last an extra long time when coupled with Bark Skin and Cat's Grace to increase his armor class. Unfortunately they do poor damage compared to other pets except when raging--and even then, it's only for a temporary period. That said, a savvy player can best take advantage of the Badger's very high hit chance by increasing his damage through full buffing (e.g. Bull's Strength or Awaken, and Greater Magic Fang. [Jagged Tooth is bugged and does not work]).
- A badger can Rage 3x/day at his highest creature level (11th).
- During Rage, he temporarily gains a +4 bonus to Strength, a +4 bonus to Constitution, and a +2 morale bonus on Will saves, but he takes a -2 penalty to Armor Class.
- Rage lasts for 3 + Constitution bonus (including bonus from rage) rounds.
- After rage expires, the badger is tired and suffers -2 Strength, -2 Dexterity, and a -10% movement penalty for 5 rounds.
- All buffs cast on the Badger will stack with his Rage abilities.
- His Will save is slightly above average thanks to the Iron will feat.
| Badger | Class level | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1st–2nd | 3rd–5th | 6th–8th | 9th–11th | 12th–14th | 15th–17th | 18th–20th | |
| Beast Level | 1 | 3 | 5 | 7 | 9 | 11 | 13 |
| Armor Class | 15 | 18 | 20 | 23 | 25 | 28 | 30 |
| Hit Points | 13 | 36 | 60 | 84 | 108 | 132 | 156 |
| Special | Weapon finesse, Barbarian rage, Weapon Proficiency (Creature) | Evasion, (Rage vanishes) | Iron will, (Rage is back) | Multiattack, (Rage vanishes) | (Rage is back) | Improved evasion, (Rage vanishes) | Greater rage |
| Attack Bonus | +4 | +7 | +8 | +11/+6 | +12/+7/+2 | +15/+10/+5 | +16/+11/+8 |
| Damage | 1d2 | -1 (odd bug) | 1d2 | 1d2, 1d2 | 1d2+1, 1d2+1, 1d2+1 | 1d2+1, 1d2+1, 1d3+1 | 1d2+2, 1d2+2, 1d3+2 |
| Critical | (20/x2) | (20/x2) | (20/x2) | (20/x2) | (20/x2) | (20/x2) | (20/x2) |
| Strength | 10 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 14 |
| Dexterity | 17 | 18 | 19 | 20 | 21 | 22 | 23 |
| Constitution | 16 | 15 | 15 | 15 | 15 | 15 | 15 |
| Intelligence | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 |
| Wisdom | 12 | 12 | 12 | 12 | 12 | 12 | 12 |
| Charisma | 6 | 6 | 6 | 6 | 6 | 6 | 6 |
| BAB | +0 | +2 | +3 | +5 | +6 | +8 | +9 |
| Fortitude | +5 | +5 | +6 | +7 | +8 | +9 | +10 |
| Reflex | +5 | +7 | +8 | +10 | +11 | +13 | +14 |
| Will | +1 | +2 | +4 | +5 | +6 | +6 | +7 |
Wolf progression[]
Wolves are pack hunters known for their persistence and cunning. In combat, wolves possess the capability to knock down an opponent.
Notes: Wolves are a little more of a strategic pet than the other animal companions. Their armor class, health, attack bonus, and damage are all considered average; but his strength lies in his ability to Knockdown a foe. When successful, this will of course temporarily incapacitate an enemy leaving you and your party free to continue attacking or do other things, such as casting a heal spell, for a short period of time.
- Like the Giant Spider, players can take advantage of the Wolf's strengths by playing them strategically.
- For example, use the "Guard Me" command to make the wolf defend the player. In doing so, the wolf will auto-change targets, thus giving it a chance to knockdown multiple enemies in a fight.
- Weapon Focus (creature) is bugged and doesn't work.
| Wolf | Class level | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1st–2nd | 3rd–5th | 6th–8th | 9th–11th | 12th–14th | 15th–17th | 18th–20th | |
| Beast Level | 1 | 3 | 5 | 7 | 9 | 11 | 13 |
| Armor Class | 14 | 17 | 19 | 22 | 24 | 27 | 29 |
| Hit Points | 12 | 36 | 60 | 84 | 108 | 132 | 156 |
| Special | Knockdown, Weapon Focus (Creature), Weapon Proficiency (Creature), Low-light vision | Evasion | Multiattack | Improved evasion | |||
| Attack Bonus | +1 | +4 | +5 | +8/+3 | +9/+4/-1 | +12/+7/+2 | +13/+8/+3 |
| Damage | 1d6+1 | 1d6+2 | 1d6+2 | 1d6+3, 1d6+3 | 1d6+3, 1d6+3, 1d6+3 | 1d6+4, 1d6+4, 1d6+4 | 1d6+4, 1d6+4, 1d6+4 |
| Critical | (20/x2) | (20/x2) | (20/x2) | (20/x2) | (20/x2) | (20/x2) | (20/x2) |
| Strength | 13 | 14 | 15 | 16 | 17 | 18 | 19 |
| Dexterity | 15 | 16 | 17 | 18 | 19 | 20 | 21 |
| Constitution | 15 | 15 | 15 | 15 | 15 | 15 | 15 |
| Intelligence | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 |
| Wisdom | 12 | 12 | 12 | 12 | 12 | 12 | 12 |
| Charisma | 6 | 6 | 6 | 6 | 6 | 6 | 6 |
| BAB | +0 | +2 | +3 | +5 | +6 | +8 | +9 |
| Fortitude | +4 | +5 | +6 | +7 | +8 | +9 | +10 |
| Reflex | +4 | +6 | +7 | +9 | +10 | +12 | +13 |
| Will | +1 | +2 | +2 | +3 | +4 | +4 | +5 |
Brown Bear progression[]
These immensely strong creatures can weigh more than 1,800 pounds and can stand nearly 9 feet tall when they rear up on their hind legs. As animal companions, bears don't have any special abilities, but they make up for it with sheer brute strength.
Notes: The brown bear is for players who want a pet that is a little bit better in most respects, but has no special abilities. His armor class is average but the brown bear's hit points and attack bonus is the second highest of all the companions. His Will save is slightly above average thanks to the Iron will feat. And his damage steadily increase over time from 1d4+3 to 1d8+6 placing the brown bear as the winner of the highest damage award; but only by only a hair.
| Brown Bear | Class level | ||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1st–2nd | 3rd–5th | 6th–8th | 9th–11th | 12th–14th | 15th–17th | 18th–20th | 21st-23rd | ||
| Beast Level | 1 | 3 | 5 | 7 | 9 | 11 | 13 | 15 | |
| Armor Class | 14 | 17 | 20 | 22 | 24 | 27 | 29 | 32 | |
| Hit Points | 13 | 39 | 65 | 91 | 117 | 143 | 169 | 195 | |
| Special | Weapon Proficiency (Creature) | Evasion | Iron will | Multiattack | Improved evasion | ||||
| Attack Bonus | +3 | +6 | +7 | +10/+5 | +11/+6/+1 | +14/+9/+4 | +15/+10/+5 | +18/+13/+8 | |
| Damage | 1d4+3 | 1d4+4 | 1d6+4 | 1d6+5, 1d6+5 | 1d6+5, 1d6+5, 1d6+5 | 1d8+6, 1d6+6, 1d6+6 | 1d8+6, 1d8+6, 1d8+6 | 1d8+7
1d8+7 1d8+7 |
|
| Critical | (20/x2) | (20/x2) | (20/x2) | (20/x2) | (20/x2) | (20/x2) | (20/x2) | (20/x2) | |
| Strength | 17 | 18 | 19 | 20 | 21 | 22 | 23 | 24 | |
| Dexterity | 13 | 14 | 16 | 16 | 17 | 18 | 19 | 20 | |
| Constitution | 17 | 17 | 17 | 17 | 17 | 17 | 17 | 17 | |
| Intelligence | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | |
| Wisdom | 12 | 12 | 12 | 12 | 12 | 12 | 12 | 12 | |
| Charisma | 6 | 6 | 6 | 6 | 6 | 6 | 6 | 6 | |
| BAB | +0 | +2 | +3 | +5 | +6 | +8 | +9 | +11 | |
| Fortitude | +5 | +6 | +7 | +8 | +9 | +10 | +11 | +12 | |
| Reflex | +3 | +5 | +7 | +8 | +9 | +11 | +12 | +14 | |
| Will | +1 | +2 | +4 | +5 | +6 | +6 | +7 | +8 | |
Boar progression[]
Boars are tough, tenacious opponents, able to continue fighting when most other creatures would already be dead. Boars are harder to kill than any other (default) animal companion.
Notes: While not the prettiest thing to look at, the boar is the toughest of all the default animal companions. They have the highest hit points, the highest armor class, and the second highest damage. They are also a little harder to sneak up on due to their Alertness feat which gives them a +2 bonus to Spot and Listen checks.
| Boar | Class level | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1st–2nd | 3rd–5th | 6th–8th | 9th–11th | 12th–14th | 15th–17th | 18th–20th | |
| Beast Level | 1 | 3 | 5 | 7 | 9 | 11 | 13 |
| Armor Class | 16 | 18 | 21 | 23 | 26 | 28 | 31 |
| Hit Points | 14 | 42 | 70 | 98 | 126 | 154 | 182 |
| Special | Weapon Proficiency (Creature), Toughness, Alertness | Evasion | (Evasion vanished) | Multiattack | Improved evasion | (Improved evasion vanished) | |
| Attack Bonus | +2 | +5 | +6 | +9/+4 | +10/+5/+0 | +13/+8/+3 | +14/+9/+4 |
| Damage | 1d8+2 | 1d8+3 | 1d8+3 | 1d8+4, 1d8+4 | 1d8+4, 1d8+4, 1d8+4 | 1d8+5, 1d8+5, 1d8+5 | 1d8+5, 1d8+5, 1d8+5 |
| Critical | (20/x2) | (20/x2) | (20/x2) | (20/x2) | (20/x2) | (20/x2) | (20/x2) |
| Strength | 15 | 16 | 17 | 18 | 19 | 20 | 21 |
| Dexterity | 10 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 14 | 15 | 16 |
| Constitution | 17 | 17 | 17 | 17 | 17 | 17 | 17 |
| Intelligence | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 |
| Wisdom | 13 | 13 | 13 | 13 | 13 | 13 | 13 |
| Charisma | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 |
| BAB | +0 | +2 | +3 | +5 | +6 | +8 | +9 |
| Fortitude | +5 | +6 | +7 | +8 | +9 | +10 | +11 |
| Reflex | +2 | +3 | +5 | +6 | +8 | +9 | +11 |
| Will | +1 | +2 | +2 | +3 | +4 | +4 | +5 |
Giant Spider progression[]
While not the strongest and hardiest of animal companions, the giant spider makes up for it with agility and a poisonous bite.
Notes: The giant spider is definitely not a pet choice for the faint hearted. His attack bonus and armor class are only average, and his hit points are the lowest of all the pets. That said, his Will save is slightly above average thanks to the Iron will, they do above average damage, and have a chance to do an additional 1d6 strength damage with their debilitating poison.
- Like the Wolf, players can take advantage of the giant spider's strengths by playing them strategically.
- For example, use the "Guard Me" command to make the spider defend the player. In doing so, the spider will auto-change targets, thus giving it a chance to poison multiple enemies in a fight.
| Giant Spider | Class level | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1st–2nd | 3rd–5th | 6th–8th | 9th–11th | 12th–14th | 15th–17th | 18th–20th | |
| Vermin Level | 1 | 3 | 5 | 7 | 9 | 11 | 13 |
| Armor Class | 14 | 17 | 19 | 22 | 24 | 27 | 29 |
| Hit Points | 9 | 27 | 45 | 63 | 81 | 99 | 117 |
| Special | Weapon Proficiency (Creature), Darkvision, Poisonous attacks (1d6 STR) | Evasion | Iron will | Multiattack | Improved evasion | ||
| Attack Bonus | +1 | +4 | +5 | +8/+3 | +9/+4/-1 | +12/+7/+2 | +13/+8/+3 |
| Damage | 1d8+2 | 1d8+3 | 1d8+3 | 1d8+4, 1d8+4 | 1d8+4, 1d8+4, 1d8+4 | 1d8+5, 1d8+5, 1d8+5 | 1d8+5, 1d8+5, 1d8+5 |
| Critical | (20/x2) | (20/x2) | (20/x2) | (20/x2) | (20/x2) | (20/x2) | (20/x2) |
| Strength | 15 | 16 | 17 | 18 | 19 | 20 | 21 |
| Dexterity | 17 | 18 | 19 | 20 | 21 | 22 | 23 |
| Constitution | 12 | 12 | 12 | 12 | 12 | 12 | 12 |
| Intelligence | 10 | 10 | 10 | 10 | 10 | 10 | 10 |
| Wisdom | 10 | 10 | 10 | 10 | 10 | 10 | 10 |
| Charisma | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 |
| BAB | +0 | +2 | +3 | +5 | +6 | +8 | +9 |
| Fortitude | +3 | +4 | +5 | +6 | +7 | +8 | +9 |
| Reflex | +3 | +5 | +5 | +7 | +8 | +9 | +10 |
| Will | +0 | +1 | +3 | +4 | +5 | +5 | +6 |
Panther progression[]
Panthers are the stealthiest of the animal companions, capable of approaching within striking distance before their intended prey is even aware of them. By then, it's usually too late.
Notes: This pet is a good choice if you can take advantage of its stealth skills. The Panther receives +3 to Hide and Move Silently from skill focus feats, in addition to benefitting from high dexterity. They are also a little harder to sneak up on due to their Alertness feat which gives them a +2 bonus to Spot and Listen checks. The Panther is an average combatant. If you are looking for a pure tank, the Brown Bear or Boar would be better choices.
| Panther | Class level | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1st–2nd | 3rd–5th | 6th–8th | 9th–11th | 12th–14th | 15th–17th | 18th–20th | |
| Beast Level | 1 | 3 | 5 | 7 | 9 | 11 | 13 |
| Armor Class | 15 | 18 | 20 | 23 | 25 | 28 | 30 |
| Hit Points | 12 | 36 | 60 | 84 | 108 | 132 | 156 |
| Special | Alertness, Low-Light Vision, Skill Focus (Hide), Skill Focus (Move Silently), Weapon Proficiency (Creature) | Evasion | Multiattack | Improved evasion | |||
| Attack Bonus | +3 | +5 | +7 | +9/+4 | +11/+6/+1 | +13/+8/+3 | +15/+10/+5 |
| Damage | 1d6+3 | 1d6+3 | 1d6+4 | 1d6+4, 1d3+4 | 1d6+5, 1d3+5, 1d3+5 | 1d6+5, 1d3+5, 1d3+5 | 1d6+6, 1d3+6, 1d3+6 |
| Critical | (20/x2) | (20/x2) | (20/x2) | (20/x2) | (20/x2) | (20/x2) | (20/x2) |
| Strength | 16 | 17 | 18 | 19 | 20 | 21 | 22 |
| Dexterity | 19 | 20 | 21 | 22 | 23 | 24 | 25 |
| Constitution | 15 | 15 | 15 | 15 | 15 | 15 | 15 |
| Intelligence | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 |
| Wisdom | 12 | 12 | 12 | 12 | 12 | 12 | 12 |
| Charisma | 6 | 6 | 6 | 6 | 6 | 6 | 6 |
| BAB | +0 | +2 | +3 | +5 | +6 | +8 | +9 |
| Fortitude | +4 | +5 | +6 | +7 | +8 | +9 | +10 |
| Reflex | +6 | +8 | +9 | +11 | +12 | +14 | +15 |
| Will | +1 | +2 | +2 | +3 | +4 | +4 | +5 |
3.5 DnD Animal companion progression[]
| Class level | Bonus hit dice | Natural armor adjustment | Str/Dex Adj. | Bonus tricks | Special |
| 1st–2nd | +0 | +0 | +0 | 1 | Link, share spells, Weapon Proficiency (Creature) |
| 3rd–5th | +2 | +2 | +1 | 2 | Evasion |
| 6th–8th | +4 | +4 | +2 | 3 | Devotion |
| 9th–11th | +6 | +6 | +3 | 4 | Multiattack |
| 12th–14th | +8 | +8 | +4 | 5 | |
| 15th–17th | +10 | +10 | +5 | 6 | Improved evasion |
| 18th–20th | +12 | +12 | +6 | 7 |