Companion-Bound Ranger

Some rangers form an incredibly strong bond with their animal companions. This bond can become all-consuming, transforming the ranger and his companion into an unusually tight and focused fighting team.

### Animal Companion (Ex)

A companion-bound ranger of 3rd level forms a particularly close bond with an animal companion. This ability functions like the druid’s animal companion ability (which is part of the nature bond class feature). His effective druid level is equal to his ranger level. A companion-bound ranger gains a +4 bonus to wild empathy and Handle Animal checks made with regard to his animal companion. Unlike a standard ranger, a companion-bound ranger’s choice of animal companion is not limited to a subset of all possible animal companion choices—he may choose freely among all animal companion choices, just as a druid can. A companion-bound ranger’s animal companion shares his favored enemy and favored terrain bonuses. This ability replaces Endurance.

### Single Favored Terrain (Ex)

At 3rd level, a companion-bound ranger may select a type of terrain from the favored terrains table. He gains a +2 bonus on initiative checks and Knowledge (geography), Perception, Stealth, and Survival skill checks when in this terrain. A companion-bound ranger traveling through his favored terrain normally leaves no trail and cannot be tracked (though he may leave a trail if he so chooses).   A companion-bound ranger receives no additional favored terrains as he gains levels. At 8th level and every five levels thereafter, the skill bonus and initiative bonus in his single favored terrain increases by +2. This ability replaces favored terrain.

### Teamwork

At 4th level, a companion-bound ranger gains Coordinated Companion and one other teamwork feat as bonus feats. He must meet the prerequisites for the teamwork feat. This ability replaces hunter’s bond.

### Ranger Talent

A companion-bound ranger may not choose the additional animal companion talent.

### Enhanced Companion (Ex)

At 7th level, the deep connection and constant training between the ranger and his animal companion allows the ranger to select a bonus feat from the following list: Greater Animal Companion, Improved Animal Companion, Increased Devotion, or Invulnerable Animal Companion. Alternatively, he may choose a feat for his animal companion (see Animal Feats in the druid class description). He may select an additional feat from this list (or for his companion) at 10th level and every three levels thereafter (13th, 16th, and 19th). He must meet the normal prerequisites for these feats. This ability replaces woodland stride.

### Quarry (Ex)

Beginning at 11th level, a companion-bound ranger’s animal companion can benefit from his quarry ability. The animal companion may not activate the ability or choose the quarry itself, but gains these benefits only when the companion-bound ranger activates the ability. The animal companion must remain within 30 feet of the companion-bound ranger, and must be able to see, hear, or otherwise sense him in order to benefit from this ability.

### Empathic Link (Su)

At 12th level, a companion-bound ranger’s connection with his animal companion becomes so strong that they can communicate empathically with each other to a distance of 1 mile. Because of the link’s limited nature, only general emotions can be shared. Both he and the animal companion receive a +4 bonus to any skill check used to track or otherwise locate each other. This ability replaces camouflage.

### Improved Quarry (Ex)

Beginning at 19th level, a companion-bound ranger’s animal companion may also benefit from the improved quarry ability. The animal companion may not activate the ability or choose the quarry itself, but gains these benefits only when the companion-bound ranger activates the ability. The animal companion must remain within 30 feet of the companion-bound ranger, and must be able to see, hear, or otherwise sense him in order to benefit from this ability.