ACF Animal Companion:
PHB 2: DISTRACTING ATTACK (Anzeigen)A ranger’s animal companion isn’t nearly as tough as a druid’s, and thus works best as a scout or occasional flanker in combat. If your ranger would prefer to avoid the hassle of taking care of an animal companion, you can get some of the same benefi t with the distracting attack alternative class feature. Though not as effective as an actual flanker, the ability to spread out your attacks to affect multiple enemies is a nice side effect.
Level: 4th.
Replaces: If you select this class feature, you do not gain an animal companion.
Benefit: Beginning at 4th level, whenever you hit an enemy with a weapon attack (whether melee or ranged),
that enemy is considered flanked by you for the purpose of adjudicating your allies’ attacks. For example, if your rogue ally attacked that enemy, not only would she gain a +2 bonus on her melee attack roll but she would also add her sneak attack damage to a successful melee attack.
This flanked condition lasts until either the enemy is attacked by one of your allies or until the start of your next turn, whichever comes first. This is an extraordinary ability.
This ability has no effect on creatures that can’t be flanked.
CC: Spiritual Guide (Anzeigen)You are befriended by a spiritual guide that speaks to you and aids you as long as you remain in the wilderness.
Level: 4th.
Replaces: This benefit replaces the animal companion class feature.
Benefit: You gain a spiritual guide. As long as you remain in natural surroundings (including underground caverns), this guide is a constant companion. Once you enter any civilized area larger than a hamlet, however, your spiritual guide leaves your side, returning only when you return to the wilds.
Although it cannot protect you from harm, your spiritual guide can warn you of impending danger. As long as your spiritual guide is with you, you gain a divine bonus equal to one-quarter your ranger level (rounded down) on Handle Animal, Knowledge (nature), Listen, Search, Spot, and Survival checks. In addition, you can use commune with nature, as the spell, once per day (caster level equals your ranger level). You can also prepare and cast this spell normally from your ranger spell list.