[3.P] Wildshape vs. Animal Companion

[ImperatorK]

Which is overall better for a Druid?
The Giant's Polymorph houserules are in effect.

[PlzBreakMyCampaign]

I'm not reading all that. I don't trust his balance or CO considering how he let's his CO gulag board be run.

But I will say that animal companion's aren't that great if suiciding them isn't an acceptable role-playing option. They can however become more powerful than the base character with optimization. I'd know.

WS likewise can't do everything polymorph can. It's basically a 3rd level spell heightened maybe a bit. If your DM thinks numbers and combat attacks are what matters, then don't upset him by using WS. If he's cunning, you'll quickly find WS doesn't pan out to try to optimize. But it is mildly tasty straight out of the can.

[Unbeliever]

From a firepower standpoint, Animal Companion.  It has the action economy edge, and it takes advantage of a huge amount of powerful buffs available to Druids. 

Wildshape can be a very powerful option, and it's certainly a great ability.  However, to get the most out of it, you have to tailor your Druid to it.  Animal Companions helps pretty much any Druid no matter what. 

Now, if you asked me which ability I think suits the Druid better, or should be included.  Then, I'd say Wildshape.  It's a much more iconic ability for the class, both in and out of D&D. 

[Keldar]

Now, if you asked me which ability I think suits the Druid better, or should be included.  Then, I'd say Wildshape.  It's a much more iconic ability for the class, both in and out of D&D.

Well of course!  Animal Companions were the Ranger's turf till 3E after all.

[ImperatorK]

I'm asking because I want to make it a choice between the two abilities, instead of giving them both or just one. At 4th level a Druid can choose: WS or AC.

[Unbeliever]

Seems reasonable to me.  I've instituted similar things in my games. 

They're both good abilities, and one is not so much better than the other that everyone will automatically gravitate to one over the other. 

[TC X0 Lt 0X]

I'm asking because I want to make it a choice between the two abilities, instead of giving them both or just one. At 4th level a Druid can choose: WS or AC.

You know maybe perhaps go the route that was taken for the Shaman from Oriental Adventures.
They get a Animal Companion(s) at 1st level like a druid, but it is limited to 2HD and does not scale with level.
Ive always thought that this was actually pretty decent class design. It made up for the weakness of being a caster class at lower levels while not giving you a free cohort at higher levels.

Maybe have Animal Companion like this available to the druids and then at 4th let them choose to either be able to advance their AC as normal or get WS. Altho personally I prefer Shapeshift over Wildshape.

[akalsaris]

If I had to choose between the two, I'd probably keep the animal companion in most cases - it's more reliably powerful.

Assuming the feat that extends shared spells range to 30ft is in effect, I can see the animal companion is a good choice for both a melee focused or caster focus build, while AC seems generally superior for casters compared with wildshape.

Wildshape
Con - Confusing ruleset (can't comment on Rich's houserules as the site is still down)
Con - Power levels depends wildly on book access, and DM interpretation of familiarity with more exotic forms (dinosaurs, sand tortoises, etc)
Con - Can be (partially) substituted with other druid spells (Shapechange at very late levels, SpC's Aspect of the Wolf, Primal Form, Wild Runner, etc.)
Pro/Con - You can easily sink all your feats into wildshape and be much more effective at it, or only take Natural Spell and it's still decent
Pro - Can have dump stats in Str & Dex and still be amazing in combat (this gets better in point buy)
Pro - Assume Supernatural Ability plus Aberrant Wildshape opens up tons of T1-level cheese (double actions, beholder eye rays, etc)
Minor Pro - As a druid player, it's really satisfying to turn into a velociraptor and rip something apart

Animal Companion
Con - Can be (partially) substituted with Wild Cohort feat, Leadership, Draconic Leadership, or Initiate of Nature feats
Con - DMs can be strict about communication, or animal "fears" of unknown phenomena, or its mobility (tight dungeons, fearful villagers), or limiting new companions after 24 hours (vestiges of 3.0 AC rules are commonplace at tables I've played with)
Pro - easy to make very strong
Pro - free action economy
Pro - can boost its levels with Natural Bond if you decide to prestige class
Minor Pro - lots of good roleplaying potential