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10 Essential Starting Tricks for Your Pathfinder Animal Companion - A Beginner's Guide for Mastering Pet Skills.

10 Essential Starting Tricks for Your Pathfinder Animal Companion - A Beginner's Guide for Mastering Pet Skills.

As every Pathfinder player knows, the Animal Companion is one of the most useful features for any aspiring adventurer. These creatures are highly versatile and can bring a variety of skills to your party, from combat prowess to tracking and survival abilities. But before you can make full use of your Animal Companion, you need to train them properly in a range of starting tricks.

The starting tricks are the foundation of your Animal Companion's abilities. They allow you to give basic commands and set the stage for more advanced training later on. So what are some of the best starting tricks to teach your Animal Companion?

First up is Attack. This should come as no surprise - after all, your Animal Companion is likely going to be doing a lot of fighting on your behalf. Teaching them to attack is essential, as it allows you to command them to focus their efforts on specific targets.

Another important trick is Heel. This teaches your Animal Companion to stay by your side and follow your movements closely. This is especially useful when you're traveling through dangerous territory or trying to sneak past enemies undetected.

Stay is another valuable starting trick. This teaches your Animal Companion to remain in one place until you give them the command to move. This is particularly useful if you need to split up your party or want to keep your Animal Companion out of harm's way during a battle.

So those are the basics - but what are some other starting tricks that can be useful for certain characters and playstyles?

If you're a ranger or druid, for example, you might want to teach your Animal Companion the Track trick. This allows them to follow the scent of your enemies, which can be incredibly helpful if you're trying to hunt someone down.

For a more sneaky approach, consider Sneak. This teaches your Animal Companion to move quietly and remain hidden, which can be useful if you need to infiltrate an enemy stronghold or avoid detection by a group of guards.

Finally, for characters who are focused on survival skills, Hunt is a great starting trick. This allows your Animal Companion to search for food or other resources, making them a valuable asset when you're exploring a new area or trying to survive in the wilderness.

So how do you actually go about training your Animal Companion in these tricks? The most effective method is to use positive reinforcement - in other words, rewarding your Animal Companion when they perform the desired behavior correctly. This can be done with treats, praise, or other forms of positive feedback.

It's also important to be patient and consistent. Training your Animal Companion takes time and effort, but the results are well worth it. And remember, your Animal Companion isn't just a tool or a weapon - they're a loyal partner who can help you succeed in even the toughest challenges.

So there you have it - some starting tricks to teach your Pathfinder Animal Companion. Whether you're a seasoned player or just starting out, these tricks will give you a strong foundation for your furry friend's skills and abilities. So grab some treats, get to training, and see all the amazing things your Animal Companion can do!


Pathfinder Animal Companion Starting Tricks
"Pathfinder Animal Companion Starting Tricks" ~ bbaz

Pathfinder Animal Companion Starting Tricks

Animal companions are one of the most exciting features of Pathfinder, and they can be a great addition to any party. They come in various forms, from loyal dogs to mystical creatures, and can be trained to do tricks that will make them even more helpful. In this article, we will discuss some starting tricks for Pathfinder animal companions.

What are tricks?

Tricks are the commands that you give your animal companion, which they follow. These can range from simple commands such as sit or stay to more complex commands like search or track. These tricks can be taught at the beginning of the game or as your animal companion gains levels, allowing them to learn more tricks.

Starting tricks

There are several starting tricks that you can teach your animal companion, and each one can be incredibly useful in different scenarios. Here are some of the most common starting tricks:

Attack

The attack trick is one of the most important tricks you can teach your animal companion. By using this command, your animal companion will charge at an enemy and attack them. This can be useful in battles, especially if you need a distraction or help dealing with a tough opponent.

Heel

The heel trick is also essential to teach your animal companion as it helps keep them under control when you are moving around. The heel command tells your animal companion to follow you closely, ensuring that they do not wander off or get into trouble.

Stay

The stay trick is another crucial command to teach your animal companion. This command tells them to stay in one spot, which can be useful if you need them to guard a specific area or keep an eye out for danger.

Search

The search trick is one of the most useful commands your animal companion can learn. By using this command, your companion will search the area for anything of interest, such as hidden objects or enemies. This can save you a lot of time and hassle in dungeons or other dangerous areas.

Track

The track trick is another incredibly useful command that your animal companion can learn. By using this command, your companion can follow tracks left by an enemy or lost treasure, making it easier to find your target.

Come

The come command is a simple but effective trick that you can teach your animal companion. This command tells them to come to you, which can be helpful if they wander off or get lost.

Defend

The defend trick is another useful command that your animal companion can learn. This command tells them to protect you or a specific area, making it harder for enemies to attack or approach.

Aid

The aid trick is another lesser-known command that can be incredibly helpful. By using this command, your animal companion can assist you with tasks such as opening doors or untying knots.

Conclusion

Animal companions are an exciting addition to any Pathfinder party, and these starting tricks can make them even more useful. As your animal companion gains levels, they can learn more tricks that can be invaluable in battles, exploration, and other situations. With some patience and practice, your companion can become an essential part of your gaming experience.

Comparison of Pathfinder Animal Companion Starting Tricks

Introduction

In Pathfinder, animal companions are an excellent addition to any party. They provide a great way to add variety and flavor to the game, both in combat and roleplaying situations. However, starting out with an animal companion can be daunting, as there are many options to choose from. One of the most important things to consider when selecting an animal companion for your character is their starting tricks.

What Are Starting Tricks?

Starting tricks refers to the abilities that an animal companion has right at the beginning of their life with your character. These abilities can be trained through Handle Animal checks and can give your animal companion a significant edge in combat or social situations. There are many starting tricks to choose from, so it's important to select the ones that will best complement your character's playstyle.

The Options

There are many starting tricks available for animal companions in Pathfinder. Here is a table summarizing some of the most popular choices:| Starting Trick | Effect || --- | --- || Attack (Core)| Allows the animal companion to take an attack action || Come | Causes the animal companion to move towards the owner || Defend | The animal companion will fight defensively || Down | The animal companion will lay prone || Fetch | The animal companion will retrieve a specific object || Flank | Causes the animal companion to flank with its owner |

The Best Starting Tricks

Of the starting tricks listed above, some are more useful than others. Attack, for instance, is a great way to get your animal companion into combat quickly, while Flank can help your character deal extra damage. Defend is also a useful trick, as it can make your animal companion much harder to hit. However, the best starting trick for your animal companion will ultimately depend on your character and their playstyle.

The Benefits of Animal Companions with Starting Tricks

Animal companions with starting tricks offer many benefits to a party. Firstly, they can be a great way to deal damage in combat. With the right starting trick, your animal companion can effectively attack enemies, allowing you to focus on spellcasting or other support abilities. Additionally, animal companions with starting tricks can offer valuable utility both in and out of combat. For example, a companion with the Fetch starting trick could retrieve an important object or message for your party, while one with the Come trick could scout ahead without putting your character in danger.

Caveats to Consider

While starting tricks are a great way to add variety to your character's abilities, there are some caveats to consider. For one, not all starting tricks may be useful in every situation. Some, like Down or Defend, may be more situational in nature and won't come in handy all the time. Additionally, training a starting trick can take time and resources, so it's important to be mindful of how you spend those precious Handle Animal checks.

Conclusion

Overall, starting tricks are an important consideration when choosing an animal companion in Pathfinder. They are a great way to add flavor and utility to your character's abilities, as well as help them deal damage in combat. While there are many options to choose from, selecting the right starting trick ultimately depends on your character and their unique playstyle.Whether you choose to have your animal companion attack enemies, defend you in combat, or perform special tasks, starting tricks offer a valuable addition to any party. By carefully considering your options and investing time into training skills with Handle Animal checks, you can create a powerful and versatile animal companion that perfectly complements your character's abilities.

Pathfinder Animal Companion Starting Tricks

Being a Pathfinder player, one of the things you might look forward to is having an animal companion. And just like any other character in the game, your animal companion can also learn tricks that will be helpful during combat or different situations you may encounter throughout your adventure. However, it's important to note that your animal companion can only learn specific tricks based on its Intelligence.

Starting the Training

The first step in teaching your animal companion tricks is by starting training as soon as the creature joins your party. Start with simple commands such as come, stay, and heel. These basic commands will establish the groundwork needed for more challenging maneuvers later on.

It is best to start with just one trick at a time and not rush through the training process, as your animal companion needs enough time to understand and learn each trick well. Don't forget to reward your animal with treats or pets whenever it performs the requested trick correctly.

Tricks That Can Be Taught to Low Intelligence Animal Companions (Intelligence of 1)

Animal companions with intelligence of 1 can only learn three simple tricks: attack, come, and defend. These straightforward commands should be the primary focus of training when dealing with creatures with low intelligence and can have tactical value during battles.

Tricks for Intelligence Level 2 Animal Companions

Intelligence level 2 animal companions can learn a few more tricks than animals with the lowest intelligence levels. For instance, these creatures can learn 'Down', 'Guard', 'Heel' and 'Stay'.

Tricks for Intelligence level 3 Animal Companions

Animals companions with intelligence of 3 or higher can learn more intricate maneuvers such as flank, saunter, sneak, and track. These tricks enable your animal companion to be more versatile and help you in many different situations.

Feats to Improve Tricks

There are several feats your animal companion can obtain to improve its ability to perform tricks. These include 'Animal Skill Mastery,' allowing it to learn an extra trick, or the 'Master's Call' feat which lets you call over your animal companion from a long distance away.

The ‘Trickster’ feat allows your animal companion to perform any three tricks with just one command. Meanwhile, 'Interception' is another feat that enables your animal companion to defend you against any attack.

Care and Practice

As previously mentioned, practice and consistency will help your animal companion learn various tricks faster. You'll also need to be patient during the process and avoid punishing the creature if it fails to perform a task well. Increase the difficulty of tasks slowly as your animal companion improves its skills gradually.

It's essential always to maintain a healthy relationship with your animal companion, and do not forget to take proper care of it between training sessions. Make sure it has adequate food, shelter, and rest to keep it healthy and able to perform during dangerous situations.

Final Thoughts

Your animal companion can be an indispensable part of your Pathfinder team, and training it right can increase its combat and tactical abilities significantly. Don't forget to praise your animal and show appreciation for its hard work and effort, and it will repay you by being a loyal and helpful friend during all major encounters and struggles ahead.

These tips should help as a starting point in teaching your animal companion some basic tricks. Over time, you'll learn more powerful commands that your animal companion will master, making it an integral part of your team in Pathfinder.

Pathfinder Animal Companion Starting Tricks

Greetings, fellow adventurers! Are you finding it challenging to manage your animal companion in Pathfinder? Worry no more - in this blog post, we will be discussing Pathfinder Animal Companion Starting Tricks.

Firstly, it is essential to understand that Animal Companions are essentially animal allies, summoned via magic to help you navigate through the world of Pathfinder. And what better way to ensure their effectiveness than teaching them tricks from the very beginning?

Before delving into the necessary steps regarding training your animal companions, it is crucial to understand their behaviour. As creatures of instinct, they require constant positive reinforcement, attention, and respect from their handlers. They also require proper food, maintenance, and hygiene just like any other creature.

The first step in training an Animal Companion is knowing their capabilities. Depending on the creature type, size, and stats, they may have different skills and abilities. Therefore, pick their training tricks wisely and keep in mind that they all need strength, endurance, and accuracy.

Animal Companions can learn lots of tricks, each with unique effects. Ranging from attack moves, healing, and even teamwork maneuvers with their handlers, all tricks become available as they level up. So, it's vital to start their training early in the game on the right track. Some tricks take a few days to a week to master, while others take longer, so be patient and consistent.

That being said, let's dive into some recommended starter tricks for your animal companions to get you started in training them:

Attack Tricks:

Teach your Animal Companion Attack tricks like Bite, Claw, and Overrun. This teaches them how to deal damage to enemies, even if they already have natural attack abilities. These tricks increase their damage output and can be useful for avoiding strikes from enemies.

Defense Tricks:

Maneuver tricks like Cower, Cover, and Retreating could come handy for your companion defensive tactics. These tricks not only prevent them from taking extra damage but also protect you as their handler.

Movement Tricks:

Teaching your Animal Companion tricks like Come, Heel, and Go will provide beneficial cooperation between you two throughout the journey. These tricks keep them close to you, improve navigation, and help you avoid potential dangers on your journey.

Teamwork Tricks:

If you desire to take on tricky situations with your Animal Companion, teamwork moves like Flank, Aid, and Defend would come in handy. These tricks require you to be aware of each other's tactics, using both your strengths to overcome challenges.

Remember, the goal across all these tricks is to build good relations with your Animal Companion. Treat them with respect, praise their efforts, and show them patience and understanding, and undoubtedly they'll develop strong bonds with you too. So, put these tips into practice, go have the best adventure with your loyal animal companion!

Thank you for reading, and we hope this article on Pathfinder Animal Companion Starting Tricks helps you! As always, stay safe out there, adventurers!

Pathfinder Animal Companion Starting Tricks - Common Questions Answered

What is an animal companion in Pathfinder?

An animal companion is a creature that travels with a character, providing assistance as needed. In Pathfinder, animal companions are typically chosen by characters with the ability to summon and control animals.

How do I get an animal companion in Pathfinder?

To obtain an animal companion in Pathfinder, a character must have the Animal Companion feat or be a druid, ranger, or another class with the ability to summon and control animals.

What are tricks in Pathfinder?

Tricks in Pathfinder are special commands that characters can teach their animal companions. These commands can range from simple actions like heel or stay to more complex behaviors like search for traps.

What are some good starting tricks for an animal companion?

When starting out, it's a good idea to teach your animal companion basic tricks such as:

  1. Sit - This is a simple trick that can help keep your animal calm and attentive.
  2. Heel - This will train your animal to follow closely behind you.
  3. Stay - This command can help keep your animal in one place and prevent them from running off.

How do I teach my animal companion tricks in Pathfinder?

To teach your animal companion tricks in Pathfinder, you must spend time working with them and training them. This requires a successful Handle Animal check and costs 1 week of work per trick attempted.

Can animal companions learn more than one trick at a time?

Yes, animal companions can learn multiple tricks at once. However, a character must spend time working with their animal companion to teach them each trick.

What is the benefit of teaching my animal companion tricks in Pathfinder?

Teaching your animal companion tricks in Pathfinder can help improve their usefulness in combat and other situations. It can also help strengthen your bond with the creature and make it a more reliable partner.