Does your game need a super dog?

Why Krypto has changed my mind on pets in ttrpgs

I suspect audiences for James Gunn's new Superman film will be divided into two camps:

• People who think a flying CGI dog in a cape is the stupidest thing they've ever seen.

• People who think Krypto is the goodest boy.

As someone whose eyes began to mist at one of the more emotional moments involving Superman’s new best friend, I can confirm I landed firmly in the latter camp.

Mage Advice isn't a film review page, but for context I'll tell you I love the new Superman, and Krypto the dog is high on my list of reasons why. Which inevitably meant I started thinking about why that was, and what lessons could be learned for telling future stories involving pets in my TTRPG games.

I think many games are well equipped to deliver the “beast master” fantasy for players - the character who works with an animal companion to dominate battle. Unfortunately, they seem less well equipped to deliver on a more simple fantasy: owning a pet.

Considering this problem brought to mind the Dimension 20 series A Crown of Candy when Ally Beardsley played a Beastmaster Ranger, Liam Wilhelmina, who had a faithful Peppermint pig, Preston.

This series was deadly, and both Ally and Liam were reluctant to put Preston in danger, mechanically weakening the character. After Dungeon Master Brennan Lee Mulligan pointed this out at a crucial moment, Ally finally risked Preston to devastating consequences.

As I think back on this after watching Superman and Krypto, I realised Ally wasn't really excited to play a Beastmaster, they were excited to have a character who had a faithful pet.

For a while I've been considering a 5e subclass that is inspired by dog ownership and I think this realisation has finally cracked the code for me. I hope to release the results in the coming week.

But for now, here's a few things to consider if you or one of your players is thinking of in-game pet ownership:

Pets should be chaotic

Having a pet should be full of surprises. Stolen food, chewed boots and having your pillow stolen at night should be part of the “fun”. They should get excited and chase a mouse when you are trying to sneak around, they should bark at strangers and odd noises.

Even the best behaved and trained animals can be independent and stubborn. They should refuse to come when they see a bath and pee in embarrassing places. They should be, at times, frustrating.

Pets should be a responsibility

Don’t handwave feeding, walking or cleaning up. Don't expect your pet to wait patiently outside while you explore the Duke’s mansion. Who is going to look after them on your most dangerous missions?

Your pet will feel more real if you can't just forget about them the moment they are inconvenient.

Pets don't fight

A dog might bite, a cat might scratch, but they have no real place in combat; certainly they should never be harmed. There’s a reason the new Superman film had to cut a scene where Krypto was punched in battle after it tested terribly with audiences.

That’s not to say your pet can't be useful in combat. It can alert you of danger, or harass a minion to keep them out of the fray, perhaps even trip or knock over your enemies. But a pet should never land a killing blow, or be at serious risk.

They should be seriously cute

With all these rules, you might be wondering why bother? Who would really want a pet that's nothing but a hassle?

Because of big adoring eyes, waggy tails and heads resting on your lap. Because they are mad and funny and full of character. Because when the chips are down and all is lost, they will still love you.

That’s how to bring a pet into your game.