As I compared paladin class features to those of the antipaladin I noticed some wording that has confused me regarding fiendish boon.
The wording of divine Bond and feindish boon are nearly identical. However, there seems to be a vast difference in the mechanics of the two features in the sections dealing with the mount/servant.
The paladin refers to a druid animal companion while the antipaladin refers to the summon monster spell (the level of which changes as your character levels).
Here is the confusion I am having: both the antipaladin and paladin have a mount/servant that is said to be an individual creature that is permanently with you (unless banished or killed). The antipaladin section states: that the servant is "permanent and the antipaladin can only gain the service of a single creature". Additionally, both paladin and antipaladin use the term "call" in the sections dealing with bringing the mount/servant to them.
How can this be consistent with a summon monster spell in the case of the antipaladin? summon spells are supposed to be different from calling spells in that you create a manifestation of a creature that goes away when the spell ends or when the creature is killed (not really, as the creature is reformed in 24 hours on it's home plane.
From core:
Quote:
Conjuration
Each conjuration spell belongs to one of five subschools. Conjurations transport creatures from another plane of existence to your plane (calling); create objects or effects on the spot (creation); heal (healing); bring manifestations of objects, creatures, or forms of energy to you (summoning); or transport creatures or objects over great distances (teleportation). Creatures you conjure usually—but not always—obey your commands.
Points to consider:
-Why would paizo switch the class feature to a real animal companion to a summoned manifestation?
-Why would they use the term "call" when referencing bring both mount/servant to you when call and summon have such different meanings? To see my point just compare the spells summon monster and planar ally.
-why the 30 day restriction on calling the servant again if it is killed or banished? This makes sense with a mount because it is real and died. There is no problem if my character summons a meat shield and have it die for me daily using the summon monster spell.
From APG:Antipaladin
Quote:
Should the antipaladin's fiendish servant die or be banished, the antipaladin may not summon another servant for 30 days or until he gains an antipaladin level, whichever comes first. During this 30-day period, the antipaladin takes a –1 penalty on attack and weapon damage rolls.
The only way this makes sense to me is if you actually gain a servant chosen from the summon monster list. It can die and is not just a summoned creature.