View source for Upgrading Your Companions

[https://reclaimthewild.net/index.php/2020/03/01/upgrading-your-companions/ Upgrading Your Companions]

== Natural Weapon Upgrade ==
Much as Natural Weapons are treated like Weapons with a Weapon Spirit for recovering durability, you can upgrade them in a similar manner.

Like with the Talking Animal’s ''(Magical) Armed'' bonus, Natural Weapons can be improved to a Rank of up to ((unboosted Discipline + unboosted Fortitude) / 4) using 4 Monster Parts of the appropriate rank.

{| class="wikitable"
|-
|Discipline + Fortitude
|Max. Natural Weapon Rank
|-
|2
|1
|-
|6
|2
|-
|10
|3
|-
|14
|4
|-
|18
|5
|}

When you use this method, think a bit about how you might be improving your faithful companion’s Natural Weapon. Maybe you’re sharpening and polishing their teeth, or you’re performing alchemical rituals to harden their hooves. However your Hero goes about it, the result is the same: your Companion’s Natural Weapon is now stronger than before, but still wholly part of their own body.

At your GM’s discretion, you can provide an appropriate weapon style to your Companion’s Natural Weapon(s).

== Natural Armor Upgrade ==
Although regular Armor can be crafted and placed on a Companion, Armor may not fit with the aesthetic of a particular creature. As such, you may want to find another method of improving your Companion’s Defense so they don’t fall in one blow.

=== Upgrade Armor ===
Unlike Natural Weapons, there are no rules for upgrading Armor. However, it can be easily extrapolated from the rules for upgrading Natural Weapons and crafting Armor.

The trait requirement is the same as upgrading your Natural Weapon (see the table above). However, the Material cost is different. See the table below.

{| class="wikitable"
|-
|Defense Level
|Material Cost
|-
|Civilian
|4
|-
|Light, Medium, or Heavy
|8
|-
|Extreme or Impervious
|12
|}

Much like upgrading a weapon, you must upgrade your companion’s Natural Defense by one step.

Typically, this cost will be in Monster Parts. However, certain Monsters (typically Arcane and Mechanical Monsters) may use different Materials as determined by the GM.

As examples:

* Armos Statues may use Metal or Stone
* Guardians may use Ancient Materials
* Hikkun may use Metal
* Magmanos may use Stone or Rubies
* Papetto may use Metal or Wood

Similar to upgrading Natural Weapons, the exact method of upgrading Natural Armor can vary depending on the player and the recipient. An artificial being like an Armos or Papetto can simply have the Materials attached or sculpted to their bodies; a Guardian’s armor plating may simply be replaced; or an alchemical ritual can toughen up the scales or hide of a beast.