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A spydrone costs 4,550 credits. It functions as a 1st level mechanic drone that can't make attacks and has no AI to act on it's own. It's a flying camera with about 1 km range and a 20 minute battery

In the real world right now many versions of that drone exist and cost MAX $1,200.

Meanwhile, a personal comm unit reads exactly like a smartphone. Those obviously also exist, and also cost about max $1,200. But the personal comm costs 7 credits.

7 credits vs 4,550 credits.

So... why?

Unarmed Strikes are labeled as archaic and nonlethal. The feat "Improved Unarmed Strike" says:

You have trained to make your unarmed attacks lethal and strike with kicks, head-butts, and similar attacks.

But the actual listed benefit of the feat doesn't mention lethality or nonlethality:

Benefit: Your unarmed attack damage increases to 1d6 at 4th

level, 2d6 at 8th level, 3d6 at 12th level, 5d6 at 15th level, and
7d6 at 20th level. You threaten squares within your natural
reach with your unarmed strikes even when you do not have
a hand free for an unarmed strike. If you are immobilized,
entangled, or unable to use both legs (or whatever
appendages you have in place of legs, where appropriate),
you lose the ability to make unarmed strikes without your
hands. When making an unarmed strike without your hands,
you can’t use such attacks for combat maneuvers or similar
abilities—only to deal damage.

Normal: You don’t threaten any squares with unarmed attacks,
and you must have a hand free to make an unarmed attack.

So I'm playing Crimson Throne, and to avoid spoilers, let's just say that the opportunity to play a Shoanti has presented itself. I'm going to play a member of the Hawk Clan who is the embodiment of the sky.

My idea is for a Synthesist Summoner with the dimensional agility feat chain. I'll have a bird eidelon that I fuse with ("Soul of the Eagle!"), and I'll use dimension door to breeze by enemies ("Spirit of Wind!"). If I can make it work, I'd also like to do some trip focus with a Shoanti Bola.

I'm coming in at 8th level. I figure at least seven levels of synthesist for access to 3rd level spells (mainly Dimension Door) and maybe a one level dip in fighter for feats and proficiencies or in rogue for skills and sneak attack.

So here are my questions:

1) How should I build my eidelon? There's no obvious form for a bird.

2) Should I build for STR or DEX? I know synthesists can dish out the damage, and the character I'm replacing is a Greatsword-wielding Invulnerable Rager. However, the character theme seems more suited to a DEX build.

3) Can I afford the feats and 13 INT required for a trip build and still do the Dimensional chain?

I am DMing a group that just got two new gunslingers. Pretty soon, I ran in to this little gem:

Targeting (Ex): At 7th level, as a full-round action, the gunslinger can make a single firearm attack and choose part of the body to target. She gains the following effects depending on the part of the body targeted. If a creature does not have one of the listed body locations, that part cannot be targeted. This deed costs 1 grit point to perform no matter which part of the creature she targets. Creatures that are immune to sneak attacks are immune to these effects.

Arms: On a hit, the target takes no damage from the hit but drops one carried item of the gunslinger’s choice, even if the item is wielded with two hands. Items held in a locked gauntlet are not dropped on a hit.
Head: On a hit, the target is damaged normally, and is also confused for 1 round. This is a mind-affecting effect.
Legs: On a hit, the target is damaged normally and knocked prone. Creatures that have four or more legs or that are immune to trip attacks are immune to this effect.
Torso: Targeting the torso threatens a critical on a 19–20.
Wings: On a hit, the target is damaged normally, and must make a DC 20 Fly check or fall 20 ft.

Confusion with no save? Disarm or trip with no check? All for a touch attack with no penalty?

Someone convince me this isn't broken.

Gnolls have darkvision, +1 nat armor, and a 15 str. That's all they have going for them. Yet, at 2 HD, they're a CR 1.

So 2 HD Gnolls have 11 hp, a 15 AC (including a shield they can't actually use with the spear they're two-handing, so really 13 AC), and +3 to hit with a spear for 1d8+3 (or +2 power attack for 1d8+6).

A 1 HD Half-Orc fighter gets darkvision also, but using the NPC array she has 13 hp (14 con, favored class), a 16 AC (scalemail, 12 dex), +5 to hit (17 str, weapon focus) for 1d8+4 or power attack for 1d8+7. And that's with only medium armor and a simple weapon. Fighters get heavy armor and martial weapons. And full BAB. And more feats.

So is it just me, or does the CR 1/2 fighter completely pwn the CR 1 Gnoll in every way? Better stats, more feats and skills, better proficiencies, better BAB. Yet for some reason the Gnoll is a higher CR.