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This is the kind of thing they will not FAQ, because the rule is not ambiguous. Of the 8 or so people who commented, you are the only person who thinks it should go the other way. That's not ambiguity, that is wishful thinking. The Devs have full time jobs writing new books, so they use their time wisely on even wading in on FAQ issues, let alone actually issuing one. This is not one of those times.

Only 5 other people commented in this particular thread I believe. Two of them were hands down as much against it as I am for it. Another said that common sense dictates that reach would affect the limbs, in which case means it would translate to a weapon held in those limbs. They did mention though that it depends on the table and DM. One was constructive in giving me advice. Another recognized the effort and thought I put into this.

This may never get FAQ'd, but it's worth a try though. Thanks for your contribution.

So, what do you exactly want?

1) Increase reach with a manufactured weapon.
2) Get a dev response and accept it.
3) Be right.

In case of 1), the Long Arm spell might be a better choice than the reach evolution. If it's about 2), just ask us directly to FAQ, without much additional text - a big starting post is likely to alienate many forumites, even if the content is well-thought. And finally, if it's about 3), you won't be able to convince everyone.

Thanks for the constructive response.

I just want an answer. The long tangent isn't so much so people agree with me really. It's mostly just a long winded example of reasoning for it to work. I figured if it wasn't intended to work this way, by pointing out a logical reasoning for it to work, then maybe we might actually see an FAQ for it or something.

That means that if someone says 'no' and a reason, I look for a counter to it. If I can't find a counter I will concede it won't work. Otherwise, I will build my argument until it can't be simply ignored hoping it gets addressed by a Dev. I know this is wishful thinking, but its worth a try.

It mostly just annoys me that in every summoner guide, Reach(Ex) and Large(Ex) are the biggest staples and attraction to using a weapon wielder. If it doesn't actually work that way, I want to know for sure.

Nobody huh?

http://paizo.com/threads/rzs2ltoi?Eidolon-Reach-with-a-Weapon#2

http://paizo.com/threads/rzs2npj0?Eidolon-Reach-with-Weapons-Question#1

http://paizo.com/threads/rzs2pyep?eidolon-Reach-evolution#1

http://paizo.com/threads/rzs2mwbh?Reach-Eidolon#1

http://paizo.com/threads/rzs2rmnd?Reach#1

http://rpg.stackexchange.com/questions/22076/can-an-eidolon-apply-a-reach-e volution-to-a-weapon-attack

Just a handful of threads I found in under 5 minutes that are talking about reach mechanics under the assumption Reach(Ex) works for weapons. Ultimately, it comes down to your DM. Hence why I'm out to get it cleared up. There have been FAQ posts for stuff that is even clearer than this issue.

There's plenty of people who think it works this way, and plenty more that actually use it in PF and PFS games like this. The entire things is extremely ambiguous, mostly because every other evolution clearly states what it works for. However, Reach(Ex) isn't nearly as explicit as all the other evolutions.

I just want a definite answer of yes or no. Right now from what I have read you have a few options; Yes it works, No it doesn't work, and by RAW you can but ask your DM first. I don't care which way it goes. I just want some real answers.

Not to mention it has been 5 years between the two iterations of Reach(Ex) in APG and Unchained.

In that 5 years they don't have anything in the FAQ about Reach(Ex) and manufactured weapons, and they still haven't change the wording of the evolution to clear up the matter.

The changes to Summoner, other than a few spell changes, were specifically targeted at balancing Eidolons in Unchained.

there is no "manufactured weapon" attack. That is why.

Under Attack in the CBR pg 182

Melee Attacks: With a normal melee weapon, you can
strike any opponent within 5 feet.

Unarmed Attacks: Striking for damage with punches,
kicks, and head butts is much like attacking with a melee
weapon

Natural Attacks: Attacks made with natural weapons,
such as claws and bites, are melee attacks that can be
made against any creature within your reach (usually
5 feet).

And to compound it even more, bite, claws, etc are considered weapons, albeit natural. They aren't even considered attacks on their own. They are only considered attacks when you attack with them, and then they are classified as natural attacks.

I think a normal melee weapon is a manufactured weapon. Once again, another example of why if they had simply been more specific and said 'natural attack' this would be a non-issue. They had no problem identifying things to the letter in all other other evolutions. Like trip evolution can only be added to attacks made with Bite or Improved Damage(Ex) can only be added to one natural attack form.

How does "pick one attack" preclude weapon use? If they had said "pick one natural attack" then it would certainly preclude weapons.

So "pick one attack"? So that could be anything that is listed as an attack. Melee Attack, Unarmed Attack, and Natural Attack. They never specify the type of attack. In almost every other Eidolon ability they took great care to restrict the type of attack.

I get 2 claw attacks, I'm allowed to pick one of them.

I get 3 Melee attacks, which is defined as an attack with a melee weapon, so I can only pick one melee attack.

More than likely I won't be picking it up and trying to use it this way. It would be quite annoying having to remember which DMs would agree or disagree at the different PFS tables. I'm sure a few would agree, its about 50:50 on the answers I've seen to this question. Hell most of the big summoner guides think Reach(Ex) works with melee weapons. Of course this doesn't mean its right. It isn't like it unbalances anything either. Pounce Eidolons are already much better DPR than a weapon wielder would be even if Reach(Ex) worked for melee.

It's just annoying that they could have simply put "pick one natural attack" and this would be a non-issue.

Does Eidolon Reach(Ex) Evolution work with manufactured weapons?

Below is how I came to the conclusion that it does. Any comments on how I came to this conclusion are appreciated.

This post is mostly to try and flesh out how Reach(ex) for Eidolons actually works. These assumptions and reasoning are based from Pathfinder Unchained and obviously related to Advanced Player guide to a smaller extent. My goal is to get this information onto the FAQ.

First, I'm going to supply information directly from the Pathfinder Unchained. Then I will draw conclusions from this information. Then I will go into how reach works given these conclusions.

Conclusion: As we can see, Arms come come in pairs. These limbs don't grant natural attacks on their own. You must pick up the evolution claws or slam if they are not granted in the subtype or base form.

Conclusion: You need the limbs evolution for this. You get two claws per limbs evolution you apply this to.

Conclusion: Slam replaces both claw attacks and requires limbs evolution. Its agreed in general that unless a creature is using its body to slam, it is using both its limbs. It is implied in this evolution that Slam uses both limbs since it requires the limb evolution and replaces both claw attacks. If you also take a look at the Angel Subtype, it gets slam which would replace both it's claws.

Now lets take a look at evolutions and how specific they are when it comes to types of attacks.

Take a look at all of those evolutions. All of them are extremely specific on what they work with. There are many more that I didn't include but are just as specific, however I Included ones that specify Natural Attacks or a specific attack such or Bite. Keep note that Reach(Ex) has been printed in APG and Unchained. In the time between APG and Unchained the question of Reach working on manufactured has always been a question. It has neither been addressed in the FAQ and neither has it been changed between prints.

Conclusion: There is nothing that prevents the Reach(ex) evolution from working on your manufactured weapon attacks.

However there is one extremely glaring problem. In the APG FAQ there is this entry.

Summoner: If I choose the reach evolution for my eidolon, how many of its attacks gains increased reach?

The ability description says "pick one attack," not "pick one attack type." So if your eidolon has two claws and you pick "claw" for the reach evolution, only one claw gets increased reach. (The reach evolution is intended to let you emulate having a dragon-eidolon, as a dragon's bite attack has greater reach than its claws.)

You might try to argue given this FAQ that Reach(ex) will only work on one of your limbs, therefore you might be able to get reach with a one-handed weapon but not a two-handed weapon. However, please remember my entry on Slam above. Slam attack uses both of your limbs and there is nothing preventing you from applying Reach(ex) to a slam attack that uses two limbs.

Final Conclusion: Reach doesn't care if you use one limb or two limbs for the attack. It still gets reach. In all honesty I think, given the fact slam replaces both claws and still can have Reach(ex) added to it, that both claw attacks should also get reach.

In all honestly Reach(Ex) should be reworded. A few example I recommend are

Because in reality reach is just making your limbs or extremity longer to make the attack.

Otherwise reword it to be more specific to what it affects. Exclude weapons if its not intended, but it needs to be as specific as every other evolution that is also listed.

You might argue that this makes the Reach(ex) not as good for natural attackers as it does for weapon users. This is true, however weapon users are almost completely excluded from any of the other attack altering evolutions.

Thanks for reading. Any comments are appreciated. As mentioned earlier I just want this issue addressed.