JF1081's page

Thanks, Blaphers. My thinking is just because the damage is automatic doesn't mean that it is caused just by the existence of the swarm. I just figured it meant that they don't need to roll an attack because the attack cannot be defended against. I also figured if it was not an action then It would happen a cratered entered their square not just when the swarm entered another creature's square.

But it does say it happens at the end of thief movement, not after the movement or where they end their turn. So it makes sense that it could be part of a move action.

I had this question in my game and the GM wasn't buying what was said here so I posted on another site: http://rpg.stackexchange.com/questions/39613/is-swarm-attack-an-action#3962 1 for more information.

The response is saying that the Swarm Attack is part of the move so it happens automatically any time they end their movement. The argument is made that it is written as the damage happens "at the end of their move" meaning that damage is part of the move and not an attack that happens after a move.

I still feel like the description is saying that it is not a Standard Melee Attack then describing how it is different (no attack roll needed). Nowhere does it say that the Swarm Attack is not an action or that it happens as part of the move action. Normally when attacks happen with a move action they are noted as a full round action such as with a Charge.

It would be nice if it explicitly stated that a Swarm Attack happens as part of the move - it would be described as special swarm movement instead of "Swarm Attack" that does auto damages at the end of their movement.

Drake Brimstone wrote:

Would it be a Hover Fly Check or the much easier Move less then Half Speed Fly Check?

Hover, yes. Because 5 ft step requires "not moving" so you couldn't do the Move less than Half speed.

Half Speed Check. A 5 foot step requires that you take no other kind of movement in that round.

You can move 5 feet in any round when you don't perform any other kind of movement.

http://paizo.com/pathfinderRPG/prd/combat.html#_take-5-foot-step

Nox Aeterna wrote:

Why not a great sword? I mean it should not be longer than a spear or a trident.

Lay a greatsword next to a staff or unstrung bow sometime. You'll see the major difference in shape.

Spear: 5ft 6lbs

http://www.d20pfsrd.com/equipment---final/weapons/weapon-descriptions/spear

http://www.d20pfsrd.com/equipment---final/weapons/weapon-descriptions/great sword

Many animals have a small number near them. At the bottom of the list, it describes that each number represents what class can take the pet. Rangers number is listed as 1. Druids have no number and have access to all of the animals.

The animals listed as 1, do indeed, match the animals listed under the rangers list of animal companion options. Roc has no number and is therefor a druid only animal companion.

Unfortunately, this does help a lot.

However, as it was mentioned earlier, the Beastmaster archetype allows you to get the anything the druid can get AND at 12th level the effective level of your pet is no longer -3 your level.

There is also the Hippogriff Rider Archetype. It starts out large so you can ride it and you get a +2 bonus to your riding skill.