PFS Primal Companion Hunter Question


Pathfinder Society


Per the ACG errata recently, the Primal Companion Hunter was made a legal archetype for PFS play. I was hoping for a little clarification on this prior to considering whether or not I want to play one.

If I am reading it correctly the Hunter gives up the Animal Focus class ability and substitutes in the ability to add evolution points to his/her companion. This appears to allow the hunter to follow the Evolution scaling and Number of Natural Attack scaling of a Summoner of the same level.

As an example: a 5th level Hunter would gain 8 Evolution Points and a maximum of 4 attacks.

This is correct?

Also, assuming the animal companion was an Owlbear could the evolution granting Simple/Martial Weapon proficiency be taken? Go go Longbow wielding Owlbear!

Grand Lodge 3/5

I believe the archtype was changed in a recent erratta. See the following link: Archives of Nethys

ACG wrote:
At first level, a primal companion hunter can awaken a primal creature from within his animal companion as a swift action. The animal companion gains a pool of 2 evolution points (Advanced Player’s Guide 60) that can be used to temporarily give the companion evolutions as if it were an eidolon. A primal companion hunter uses her hunter level to determine her effective summoner level for the purpose of qualifying for evolutions and determining their effects. At 8th level, the number of evolution points in her pool increases to 4, and at 15th level, it increases to 6.

If I can find the direct errata I'll link to it shortly.

-edit-

Here it is. See page 3 of the errata you can download here.

So not quite as bonkers as all that, but that's a thing I would look at and go, "Wow, I could make a BONKERS TWF hunter build with an evolution pool..."

The Exchange 4/5 5/5

Krell44 wrote:

Per the ACG errata recently, the Primal Companion Hunter was made a legal archetype for PFS play. . .

Also, assuming the animal companion was an Owlbear could the evolution granting Simple/Martial Weapon proficiency be taken? Go go Longbow wielding Owlbear!

Since we are talking PFS:

PFS FAQ wrote:

Can I improve my companion’s Intelligence to 3 or higher and give it weapon feats?

No. An Intelligence of 3 does not grant animals sentience, the ability to use weapons or tools, speak a language (though they may understand one with a rank in Linguistics; this does not grant literacy), or activate magic devices. Also note that raising an animal companion’s Intelligence to 3 or higher does not eliminate the need to make Handle Animal checks to direct its actions; even semi-intelligent animals still act like animals unless trained not to. An animal with Intelligence of 3 or higher remains a creature of the animal type unless its type is specifically changed by another ability. An animal may learn 3 additional tricks per point of Intelligence above 2.

Pending another FAQ prepare for a lot of table variation on whether or not the animal companion would actually use a weapon even if it was given proficiency with it.

Yea side: that FAQ talks specifically about making a smart companion and having it spend feats to gain weapon proficiencies. Evolutions are a totally different thing! You're making it a natural thing using that ability.

Nay side: the whole point of that FAQ is to say that animals are still animals. They can't decide to use a weapon just because they are proficient in it. They're animals!

5/5 5/55/5 ***

The Owlbear doesn't have the anatomy to wield weapons anyways, even if it learned proficiency. Its body type is quadruped (since it's just a reskinned Bear), not biped.

Grand Lodge 4/5 **** Venture-Captain, California—Sacramento

Just keep in mind that primal hunter is 1 minute per day per level, unlike the normal hunter.

That said, at 8th level, they effectively have 8 evo points, 4 of which can be reassigned on the fly.

Shadow Lodge 2/5

Giving the animal weapon feats is/was a 2-4 point evolution.

Edit, assuming you are using anthropomorphic animal to give it hands.

Community / Forums / Organized Play / Pathfinder Society / PFS Primal Companion Hunter Question All Messageboards

Want to post a reply? Sign in.