Yukiba |
Now that I have time lets explain my thing with unbound companion.
It reminds me a lot of the transformation feat and the shifter's bestial traits. As a whole I think shifter is more solid, gaining a couple misc abilities and a bunch more flexibility.
With Boon Companion form talent the character gets enough caster level to pick up avain form or earth creature with the improved earth creature feat and natural aspect fast healing. Though several nice benefits don't really level and 1 character level is plenty to gain neat benefits.
Which is why something like making it a race with a couple feat to improve it makes the character feat hungry and binds its hands a bit. Heck add a line that only allows form talents at 1st (race gives it already), 5th, 10th & 15th then it could get full caster level for traits since its somewhat bound.
The added benefit of not being a bizarre monster class is nice as well.
As a GM tool I would just allow them to play there companion until the character is resurrected.