Pages 16-17 of the Seakers of Secrets lists three feats: Boon Companion, Dilettante, and Friendly Switch.

My first question is, does a character need to be a member of the Pathfinder Society to take one of these feats?

My second question is about the "Boon Companion" feat. It says that
"The abilities of your animal companion or familiar are calculated as though your class were four levels higher to a maximum bonus equal to your character level.

Pages 16-17 of the Seakers of Secrets lists three feats: Boon Companion, Dilettante, and Friendly Switch.

My first question is, does a character need to be a member of the Pathfinder Society to take one of these feats?

My second question is about the "Boon Companion" feat. It says that
"The abilities of your animal companion or familiar are calculated as though your class were four levels higher to a maximum bonus equal to your character level.

Does that mean that a Lvl 4 druid with that feat would use Lvl 8 for his/her companion's abilities (PathfinderRPG p. 52)?

Or is this feat mostly beneficial for Multiclass characters; i.e., A Lvl 4 Fighter/Lvl 4 Druid would still use Lvl 8 for his/her companion's abilities? (And, where would Ranger's fit in this mix?)

A single classed Ranger would use his character level as his effective druid level for companion abilities.

Pages 16-17 of the Seakers of Secrets lists three feats: Boon Companion, Dilettante, and Friendly Switch.

My first question is, does a character need to be a member of the Pathfinder Society to take one of these feats?

My second question is about the "Boon Companion" feat. It says that
"The abilities of your animal companion or familiar are calculated as though your class were four levels higher to a maximum bonus equal to your character level.

Does that mean that a Lvl 4 druid with that feat would use Lvl 8 for his/her companion's abilities (PathfinderRPG p. 52)?

Or is this feat mostly beneficial for Multiclass characters; i.e., A Lvl 4 Fighter/Lvl 4 Druid would still use Lvl 8 for his/her companion's abilities? (And, where would Ranger's fit in this mix?)

Option 2. Character level is the summation of all your class levels.

A single classed Ranger would use his character level as his effective druid level for companion abilities.

Pages 16-17 of the Seakers of Secrets lists three feats: Boon Companion, Dilettante, and Friendly Switch.

My first question is, does a character need to be a member of the Pathfinder Society to take one of these feats?

So a Single Classed Druid or Wizard would gain no benefit from this feat?

So this would give the Ranger three effective levels? (Since Rangers get "Hunters Bond" at Lvl 4, and are normally considered as a Druid three levels lower.)

Just wanted to confirm the reading of Boon Companion. It was designed with rangers and muticlassed characters in mind.

Just wanted to confirm the reading of Boon Companion. It was designed with rangers and muticlassed characters in mind.

Russ Taylor wrote:

Just wanted to confirm the reading of Boon Companion. It was designed with rangers and muticlassed characters in mind.

Okay. Maybe the writing wasn't clear enough for me? :)

It also helps Druids or Clerics who picked the Animal domain and I assume oracles as well....

Decorus wrote:

It also helps Druids or Clerics who picked the Animal domain and I assume oracles as well....

True. That wrinkle didn't exist at the time of writing :)

So, as an example a level 6 ranger who has a class level of 6, would have an animal companion that is equal to "effective druid level 3." The feat as its written would boost the ranger level, not the "effective level" which will always be ranger level-3. As a result since the ranger in question is already at maximum class level she would not really benefit from the feat, unles of course she multi-class to another class later.

The same would be applied to druids with the animal domain I presume?

Russ Taylor wrote:

Decorus wrote:

It also helps Druids or Clerics who picked the Animal domain and I assume oracles as well....

True. That wrinkle didn't exist at the time of writing :)

Does it actually do that though? Because as it is written, the abilities of your animal companion is treated as if your class were four levels higher to a maximum bonus equal to your character level.

So, as an example a level 6 ranger who has a class level of 6, would have an animal companion that is equal to "effective druid level 3." The feat as its written would boost the ranger level, not the "effective level" which will always be ranger level-3. As a result since the ranger in question is already at maximum class level she would not really benefit from the feat, unles of course she multi-class to another class later.

The same would be applied to druids with the animal domain I presume?

Don't overthink the feat :)

Elliecat wrote:

Russ Taylor wrote:

Decorus wrote:

It also helps Druids or Clerics who picked the Animal domain and I assume oracles as well....

True. That wrinkle didn't exist at the time of writing :)

Does it actually do that though? Because as it is written, the abilities of your animal companion is treated as if your class were four levels higher to a maximum bonus equal to your character level.

So, as an example a level 6 ranger who has a class level of 6, would have an animal companion that is equal to "effective druid level 3." The feat as its written would boost the ranger level, not the "effective level" which will always be ranger level-3. As a result since the ranger in question is already at maximum class level she would not really benefit from the feat, unles of course she multi-class to another class later.

The same would be applied to druids with the animal domain I presume?

Maximum "bonus" is probably unfortunate wording (not sure if it was in the original draft), but basically, you calculate the abilities of an animal companion or familiar as though your level was four level higher, to a maximum of your actual character level. So a ranger could get the abilities of an animal companion of up to their character level, as opposed to their ranger level - 3. If they've multiclassed, it might still be less than their charater level.

Don't overthink the feat :)

Russ Taylor wrote:

Elliecat wrote:

Russ Taylor wrote:

Decorus wrote:

It also helps Druids or Clerics who picked the Animal domain and I assume oracles as well....

True. That wrinkle didn't exist at the time of writing :)

Does it actually do that though? Because as it is written, the abilities of your animal companion is treated as if your class were four levels higher to a maximum bonus equal to your character level.

So, as an example a level 6 ranger who has a class level of 6, would have an animal companion that is equal to "effective druid level 3." The feat as its written would boost the ranger level, not the "effective level" which will always be ranger level-3. As a result since the ranger in question is already at maximum class level she would not really benefit from the feat, unles of course she multi-class to another class later.

The same would be applied to druids with the animal domain I presume?

Maximum "bonus" is probably unfortunate wording (not sure if it was in the original draft), but basically, you calculate the abilities of an animal companion or familiar as though your level was four level higher, to a maximum of your actual character level. So a ranger could get the abilities of an animal companion of up to their character level, as opposed to their ranger level - 3. If they've multiclassed, it might still be less than their charater level.

Don't overthink the feat :)

Well, the problem with the feat isn't so much with rangers but its effect on druids who take the animal domain. Correct me if I'm wrong on this, but doesn't it negate most of the reasons for picking an animal companion as a druid? Wouldn't it be much better to just pick the animal domain and pick up this feat? For the druid in question, its effectively picking up a feat for 1 extra spell per spell level. Now, granted if your build is feat intensive that may not be feasible, but generally I think that's something that can be fitted in rather easily, especially since in pathfinder feats are a bit more plentiful. I don't think any of my players who play druids would ever pick an animal companion again, they would all just take the animal domain and pick up this feat, simply because its just that much more economical.

Lord Fyre wrote:

Russ Taylor wrote:

Just wanted to confirm the reading of Boon Companion. It was designed with rangers and muticlassed characters in mind.

Okay. Maybe the writing wasn't clear enough for me? :)

It also helps Druids or Clerics who picked the Animal domain and I assume oracles as well....

Hey, anyone notice this about the paladin:

"This mount functions as a druid’s animal companion, using
the paladin’s level as her effective druid level."

Wow, the pally now really rocks with an effective full druid Animal Companion...

Also,

"Bonded mounts have an Intelligence of at least 6."

Wow, now pallies take the cake! realize that this INT 6 allows the mount to take ANY feats, not just Animal Feats! O_O

Somehow part of me is happy the pallies are getting a good treatment, but part of me wish druids could be the masters of Animal Companions, not pallies... Currently pallies are the Animal Companion kings!

The trade off for a druid who take it and the animal domain is they don't get the animal companion until higher level, but it is more economical as it gives extra spells for a slight trade off of a few levels with no companion and the loss of a feat.