Cluster Trainer (Pet Monster Trainer Archetype)

A group of monsters is sometimes referred to as a cluster, and a cluster trainer is a pet monster trainer who learns how to control larger groups of monsters than others. With a small army of pet monsters under his control, the cluster trainer can swarm enemies, taking them down with successive small attacks.

Dynamic Sorcery: Cluster trainers gain pet monster sorcery +1 at 1st level, and every 3 levels thereafter, to a maximum of (rank 6) at 16th level. This improves to dynamic sorcery (any) at 4th, 7th, 10th, and 13th level, to a maximum of (rank 4). The trainer still casts his spells using his pet monsters as the point of origin.

This alters the progression of dynamic sorcery.

Summon Cluster (Su): At 1st level, a cluster trainer gains pet monster (rank 2) that he uses to summon 2 pet monsters at a time. Each rank of pet monster gained thereafter must be used to summon an additional pet monster, up to the trainer’s maximum of 4 monsters.

At 7th level, when the cluster trainer gains pet monster (rank 5), he gains the ability to summon a 5th pet monster. This pet monster begins with 30 points, plus 5 points per rank beyond 5th.

At 17th level, when the cluster trainer gains pet monster (rank 10), he gains the ability to summon a 6th pet monster. This pet monster begins with 55 points, plus 5 points per rank beyond 10th.

This alters the trainer’s pet monster progression and replaces the defensive instinct gained at 2nd level.

Sample Pet Monsters

The pet monsters presented here are suggestions for how to spend the points gained with each rank of pet monster gained. Each offers a total of 20 points per rank, but for multiple pet monsters, be aware that points will not be distributed in the same way.

Skilled Monster

A skilled monster is a 1st- level adventurer with Str 12, Dex 14, Con 11, Int 15, Wis 10, Cha 9.

It spends its available points either to gain an additional level of adventurer, or divided between ranks of feat and skill attributes.

Strong Monster

A strong monster is a 1st-level adventurer with Str 17, Dex 13, Con 12, Int 10, Wis 7, Cha 11. It spends 5 of its available points at pet monster rank 1 to gain +1 base attack and increase its Hit Die to a d10. The remaining points are either spent to gain a level as a fighter, or divided between ranks of offense attributes.

Tough Monster

A tough monster is a 1st-level adventurer with Str 13, Dex 12, Con 17, Int 7, Wis 10, Cha 11. It spends 6 of its available points at pet monster rank 1 to gain +1 base attack and increase its Hit Die to a d12. The remaining points are either spent to gain a level as a barbarian, or divided between ranks of defense attributes.

* Run With Me: When the trainer moves, their pet monster can also move up to half its speed and vice versa.