[Steko]

The idea that AD&D didn’t have powergamers sounds like Gygax propaganda. This is the edition that put out a book of diety statblocks like it was another monster manual. Your linked Animal Friendship, allows 2xHD of companions so a L3 druid could have a Cave Bear. That’s as bad as it sounds.

Every edition has many issues but imho 1e is pretty terrible by modern standards.

[miiiiiike]

He didn't say AD&D didn't have powergamers, he said that 3rd was FOR powergamers.

On Animal Friendship, see my comment about balance: Who cares. The bear is taught three tricks and kinda hangs around, the druid doesn't get to control it. How many "friends" would you take a bullet for?

Still a problem? Get rid of the bear and see if the player wants to skip leveling their druid for three weeks and play a different character while their druid trains a new one. Time passes in real-time when not playing in AD&D and the bear will wander off after three days if the druid leaves before it's fully trained. If the druid wants to try taking a half-trained bear along on a hike, make it more trouble than it's worth. Playing AF like this is really fun.

Every edition has issues but AD&D is pretty fun by modern standards.