Do the lowered level parameters for selecting a Wild Cohort Extend to its Bonus HD/Nat Armor/Tricks?

Question

For referencer the feat can be found here http://archive.wizards.com/default.asp?x=dnd/re/20031118a I was wondering, the feat when it says

"When selecting an alternative animal cohort, use the list of alternative animal companions on page 36 of the Player's Handbook, but treat yourself as a druid three levels lower than your character level. For example, once you reach 7th level, you can choose an animal cohort off the list of animal companions available to a 4th-level druid."

unlike the druid entry for its Animal Companion Feature it does not say

"Should she select an animal companion from one of these alternative lists, the creature gains abilities as if the character’s druid level were lower than it actually is. Subtract the value indicated in the appropriate list header from the character’s druid level and compare the result with the druid level entry on the table to determine the animal companion’s powers."

My question is even if it doesnt say does this rule apply to the wild cohort?

Even if the answer is no the companion gained through Wild Cohort doesnt advance as quickly nor does it qualify for Animal Companion Feats. I just had to ask after a disagreement with a group member about how to interperate this feat.

Answer 1

You are correct that the rules as written do not include that proviso; as written, there is no disadvantage to selecting a more powerful Wild Cohort, assuming you have a level high enough to do so.

This does seem odd, considering the Druid’s and Ranger’s rules. I suspect it was an oversight.

Overall, my main concern is this: if you are at exactly the level required to take a given companion, a Druid would add nothing to the companion. You, on the other hand, add whatever is appropriate for that level.

For example, suppose you and a Druid are 13th level, and both select a Dire Lion. The Druid gets the Link and Share Spells features, and 1 Bonus Trick. He gains +2 HD, +2 Natural Armor, and +1 Strength and Dexterity bonuses. As a Wild Cohort by your reading, however, the Dire Lion gains 7 HD, +7 Natural Armor, +3 Strength and Dexterity, 4 Bonus Tricks, and the Evasion and Devotion features.

It just seems wrong to me that the Wild Cohort would be better than the Animal Companion in these cases.

On the other hand, even if you apply that penalty to your effective character level, the Wild Cohort is still better than the Ranger’s Animal Companion, and the Druid is already more than powerful enough even if he doesn’t have an Animal Companion, so...