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Pathfinder Player Companion: Animal Archive (PFRPG)

4.50/5 (based on 15 ratings)
Pathfinder Player Companion: Animal Archive (PFRPG)
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From a witch’s black cat to a ranger’s mighty wolf companion or a cavalier’s noble steed, animals have always had a place in fantasy adventuring—but why should only a few classes have all the fun? With the proper training, animals can be invaluable allies for adventurers of all stripes. Whether you’re a scholarly spellcaster looking for a familiar to deliver spells or help turn the pages of your spellbook, or a brawler ready to lead your armored animal into the thick of battle, this book is a treasure trove of rules and advice aimed at helping you and your animal friends get the most out of your fantastic adventures.

Animal Archive presents a player-focused, in-depth discussion of animals and the various roles they can play in your game. Each Pathfinder Player Companion includes new options and tools for every Pathfinder RPG player. Inside this book, you’ll find:

  • A complete list of every familiar in the Pathfinder Roleplaying Game, to make choosing yours quick and convenient.
  • New archetypes like the mad dog barbarian or carnivalist rogue to help classes that haven’t traditionally used animals work with their bestial allies, as well as tips on how every class can employ animals.
  • New animal companions and familiars, from innocuous squirrels and rabbits to bizarre platypuses, armored armadillos, and powerful pandas.
  • Information on which animals are closely associated with the various races and deities of the Pathfinder campaign setting.
  • Tons of new tricks and feats to customize your animals, plus archetypes for animal companions and familiars.
  • New animal equipment, spells, magic items, information about the personalities of magically intelligent animals, and more!

Written by Amanda Hamon, Philip Minchin, Jason Nelson, Patrick Renie, Owen K.C. Stephens, and Christina Stiles

Each monthly 32-page Pathfinder Player Companion contains several player-focused articles exploring the volume’s theme as well as short articles with innovative new rules for all types of characters, as well as traits to better anchor the player to the campaign.

ISBN-13: 978-1-60125-488-7

Other Resources: This product is also available on the following platforms:

Hero Lab Online
Fantasy Grounds Virtual Tabletop
Archives of Nethys

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Average product rating:

4.50/5 (based on 15 ratings)

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Favorite Player Companion to date

5/5 —

I bought the PDF a while back and opened it again last night just to refresh my memory. There is a lot crammed into this very compact volume and at almost every page I think, 'oh, hey, that's cool.'

Just one example is the familiar and animal companion archetypes. They're the logical next step in archetypes but the type I might not necessarily have thought of. At last we can customize what otherwise is a very generic animal ally. The Mad Dog barbarian archetype is another flavorful, of-course! option. Why wouldn't we have companions who rage alongside their masters?

Everything is flavorful, organized, options-heavy, and superbly illustrated (I especially love the cover art). This one is a keeper.

Good resource

4/5 —

I thought the book was a good buy. I bought the PDF version of it to save a couple of bucks. It did have a lot of good information and includes the very useful "flank" trick and "Boon Companion" feat. The one thing I wish it did have were blank copies of a familiar or companion character sheet. I know there are digital copies available, but this book seemed like it should have been a good source for this.

The Tasmanian Devil is in the details.

3/5 —

Overall I liked it, but there were more than a few problems.

The art was amazing. (I really want to take the poor compsognathus home)

The chart is... wow has this been missing for a long time. About time we got something like this.

The division of belt into belt and belt (saddle) was new and more than a little arbitrary.

The magic item section was the most disappointing. Its barely a page, and most of the items suffer from the usual "its not on the christmas tree so its overpriced" effect. Magical items for critters is almost new ground, i thought they could have done a lot more with this.

The collar of obedience seems useful... but by the time you can afford it most of the animals you'd want to use it on are bigger than large, and for some reason unlike every other neck slot item in the game, this one has resizing limits.

I love the idea of animal archetypes. More variety is good.

The charger seems like a good archetype... but it technically can't do anything as it gives benefits to cavaliers but cavalier mounts can't take it because it replaces an ability they don't have (share spells)

The tricks vary. Bombard is absolutely hilarious and probably the best of the lot. There's a few more that have more than a little overlap with already existing tricks, Like watch and guard or perform and entertain. Some seem to be like rogue tricks where they, by implication, limit what you could otherwise have done with another trick by their existence.

Absolutely loved the new familiars and animal companions, they really should be as diverse as the adventurers that they own. People seem to love the panda bear, and even if i never take a llamma as an animal companion i rejoice to know that somewhere there's a druid with a llama and profession (weaver)

Ring Side Report- RPG Review of Animal Archive

5/5 —

Originally posted at www.throatpunchgames.com, a new idea everyday!

Product: Pathfinder Player Companion Animal Archive
Producer: Paizo
Price: ~$12
System: Pathfinder
TL;DR-If you have pets, then get this book. 91.25%

Basics: This book adds options, abilities, and types for any character who has a familiar or a animal companion. The book starts off right away with the inner cover discussing the magic items that each type of animal can use. After the standard Player Companion line pages discussing the book's intent, the next section describes what types of animals each race typically works with. Next the book introduces new class archetypes for the rogue, cavalier, and barbarian that use animal companions. Following archetypes, the book add new animal tricks for your companion to learn and new ways to teach tricks to animals. The book then presents new familiars, equipment, and animals to buy in Golarion. The centerfold of the book is six new animals that a PC could take as a companion and the parts of the world where these creatures are found. Following the centerfold, new animal feats and archetypes are discussed for your companions and familiars. The book then presents a section on what happens after you awaken your animal. Like all player pathfinder books, the book adds several spells and magic items, before ending by adding new familiars and animal companion statistics.

Fluff or Story: This book isn't very story heavy. It primary focus is to give you new animal options. What it does have is interesting, but don't look for it to carry the book on that alone. 4/5

Crunch or Mechanics: You want animal crunch? You got animal crunch! Some of the crunch is interesting like the rogue who uses an animal to do sneak attack, but some is left out like what bonuses you get for using tools to train an animal. It's not bad, but some minor things were missing. 4.75/5

Art: This book has a surprising amount of art for primarily being a mechanics book. It's new, and looks like it belongs and is well done. 5/5

Execution: The book has a nice flow, reads quick, and isn't difficult to read. I didn't like that the book repeats some of its mechanics as the book is less than 30 pages. Also, some of the choices of where things were laid out were a bit strange as there are two item sections. 4.5/5

Summary: If you run animals in Pathfinder, you need this book. That's it. It won't really convince you to take up an animal if you're the type of player who doesn't want that complication in his life. If you want to have some fun with an animal companion/familiar, then this book will give you lots of options and makes sure the ideas you have fit into the larger world. It's worth a read for any class that gets an animal pet. 91.25%

5/5 —

I've reviewed this on RPGGeek.com.

You can read it here.

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Liberty's Edge

So if I am reading this correctly, then our animal friends are finaly getting some magical item love that they deserve?
Developer
Kevida wrote:
So if I am reading this correctly, then our animal friends are finaly getting some magical item love that they deserve?

All that and more! If you've ever wanted to equip your mount or animal buddy or familiar with a magic item, this is the book for you.

Liberty's Edge
Patrick Renie wrote:
Kevida wrote:
So if I am reading this correctly, then our animal friends are finaly getting some magical item love that they deserve?
All that and more! If you've ever wanted to equip your mount or animal buddy or familiar with a magic item, this is the book for you.

I am trying not to "squee" like a little school girl!

Silver Crusade

Ultimate Equipment stated foxes were canines. If foxes appear in Animal Companions, and if the book isn't already at print, please make sure foxes are listed as vulpines, not canines.
Ajaxis wrote:
Ultimate Equipment stated foxes were canines. If foxes appear in Animal Companions, and if the book isn't already at print, please make sure foxes are listed as vulpines, not canines.

According to the knower of all things, Wikipedia:

Canine may refer to:

  • Domestic dog
  • Animals belonging to the family Canidae, or the sub-family Caninae, or the genus Canis
  • Canine tooth
  • Ralph Canine, American soldier and government administrator
  • A character in Glenn Martin, DDS

In item 2, foxes fit into both the family Caindae and the sub-family Caninae, as far as I can tell. In item 1, wolves don't fit. We can probably ignore items 3-5 for these purposes.

Yeah, foxes are definitely canines.
Scarab Sages
Pathfinder Adventure Path, Lost Omens, Rulebook Subscriber

You know what Aren't Canines? Platypuses. I really hope they're in this one. Not sure what sort of bonus they'd give as familiars (or if they'd be animal companions instead?), maybe Bluff?

Vulpes is *a* genus of Fox. (There are others... Alopex (Arctic Fox) and Urocyon (Gray Fox))

Foxes are Canids.

The term Vulpine actually just means Fox-like.
Liberty's Edge
2 people marked this as a favorite.
Ajaxis wrote:
Ultimate Equipment stated foxes were canines. If foxes appear in Animal Companions, and if the book isn't already at print, please make sure foxes are listed as vulpines, not canines.

Wolves and foxes are canines. However wolves (and domestic dogs) are lupines and foxes are vulpines. I think THAT is what you meant.

Dark Archive
3 people marked this as a favorite.
Mead Gregorisson wrote:
The term Vulpine actually just means Fox-like.

Also a particular type of face. Rawr

Silly rules lawyers. Can't we just enjoy the animal archive? :-P
Scarab Sages
Pathfinder Adventure Path, Lost Omens, Rulebook Subscriber

Better yet. No Foxes. More interesting animals instead! Servals, Platypuses, Sugar Gliders, Degus, Dingos, Wallaroos, Lemurs (not to be confused with Lemures), and Genets.
Dark Archive
1 person marked this as a favorite.

Lynxes, bobcats, cougars.
Silver Crusade
Kevida wrote:
Ajaxis wrote:
Ultimate Equipment stated foxes were canines. If foxes appear in Animal Companions, and if the book isn't already at print, please make sure foxes are listed as vulpines, not canines.
Wolves and foxes are canines. However wolves (and domestic dogs) are lupines and foxes are vulpines. I think THAT is what you meant.

I stand corrected.

Scarab Sages
4 people marked this as a favorite.
Pathfinder Adventure Path, Lost Omens, Rulebook Subscriber
Marik Whiterose wrote:

Lynxes, bobcats, cougars.

Cougars? Wouldn't they be better suited to the NPC Codex?

Sczarni RPG Superstar Season 9 Top 16, RPG Superstar 2015 Top 32

Dang, this just keeps getting pushed back more and more. I was really excited for the December release because I have a mount in one of my games and I want to ensure his survival. Now, I fear I won't be needing this book by the time I comes out.
Scarab Sages
Pathfinder Adventure Path, Lost Omens, Rulebook Subscriber

February? NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Where will I get My Platypus Goodness now?
1 person marked this as a favorite.

While the gamer inside me dislikes the pushback, the publisher inside me is Ok with it. I would rather it be done right the first time rather then forced out to meet a date and then need major work.

When it is ready you know I will buy it.
Shadow Lodge

I saw this and it made me think of this book. Anyway we will see mod or answers to injuries like this with the option to give animals companions and pets iron teeth replacements and other such things?
Developer
doc the grey wrote:
I saw this and it made me think of this book. Anyway we will see mod or answers to injuries like this with the option to give animals companions and pets iron teeth replacements and other such things?

Interestingly, there is one such item in this book that's similar to what you're talking about, doc. Woe unto me should I spoil such a wonderful surprise, however!

Scarab Sages
Pathfinder Adventure Path, Lost Omens, Rulebook Subscriber
Patrick Renie wrote:
doc the grey wrote:
I saw this and it made me think of this book. Anyway we will see mod or answers to injuries like this with the option to give animals companions and pets iron teeth replacements and other such things?
Interestingly, there is one such item in this book that's similar to what you're talking about, doc. Woe unto me should I spoil such a wonderful surprise, however!

Is it Peg legs for Platypuses?

Shadow Lodge
Patrick Renie wrote:
doc the grey wrote:
I saw this and it made me think of this book. Anyway we will see mod or answers to injuries like this with the option to give animals companions and pets iron teeth replacements and other such things?
Interestingly, there is one such item in this book that's similar to what you're talking about, doc. Woe unto me should I spoil such a wonderful surprise, however!

Very cool, now to lament that we have to wait till February. Now is the mockup cover going to be the final cover or are we getting a new one to go along with this?

Dark Archive
Pathfinder Pathfinder Accessories Subscriber; Pathfinder Roleplaying Game Superscriber; Starfinder Charter Superscriber
doc the grey wrote:
Patrick Renie wrote:
doc the grey wrote:
I saw this and it made me think of this book. Anyway we will see mod or answers to injuries like this with the option to give animals companions and pets iron teeth replacements and other such things?
Interestingly, there is one such item in this book that's similar to what you're talking about, doc. Woe unto me should I spoil such a wonderful surprise, however!
Very cool, now to lament that we have to wait till February. Now is the mockup cover going to be the final cover or are we getting a new one to go along with this?

There is always a original piece of art for the cover, but it only get put up after the book goes to the printer.

Enlight_Bystand wrote:
doc the grey wrote:
Very cool, now to lament that we have to wait till February. Now is the mockup cover going to be the final cover or are we getting a new one to go along with this?
There is always a original piece of art for the cover, but it only get put up after the book goes to the printer.

It might just be me, but I wouldn't actually mind if the current art was the final cover.

Scarab Sages
Pathfinder Adventure Path, Lost Omens, Rulebook Subscriber

The current art is cool, but I wanna see some unusual animals. We see Horses all the time, and even dogs and bears show up with some frequency. I wanna see WAR (or another of Paizo's incredible stable of artists) draw some unusual animals on the cover.
Sczarni RPG Superstar Season 9 Top 16, RPG Superstar 2015 Top 32

Yeah, I probably will still buy this when it comes out but I will have no use for it by that time. Darn push backs.
2 people marked this as a favorite.

I just hope we finally get a full stats write up for Squealy Nord.

Is the Tressym copyright to Wizards? Cause I could use a winged house cat familiar. ^-^
Dark Archive

The word Tressym is off-limits, but it's not hard to add a raven's fly speed to a cat's stat-block and call it a 'cathawk' or whatever.

An owl familiar with a tiny little bear's head and front claws (giving it the bite and claw attacks of a housecat) could make for a fun 'reverse owlbear.'
Webstore Gninja Minion

Perhaps the silvanshee?

Ohhhh Set that gives me an idea....an AFG (Advanced Familiar Guide) book...*evil grin*

Create your own familiars...
Paizo Employee Chief Technical Officer

I've updated the cover image and product description to match the finished product.

...Hound Master?

The cover is pretty awesome. Seems like she's calling the entire forest to take down that troll!
Silver Crusade

That is one of the best cover art pieces I've seen. Evokes a storybook feel. Good show!
Dark Archive

Love that cover.
Dark Archive

Nice picture! I'm not terribly sure what that squirrel is hoping to accomplish, but bless him for trying!
Dark Archive
1 person marked this as a favorite.
Set wrote:

Nice picture! I'm not terribly sure what that squirrel is hoping to accomplish, but bless him for trying!

Hey dont diss the squirrels a pack of them brought down Doctor Doom once.

Scarab Sages
Pathfinder Adventure Path, Lost Omens, Rulebook Subscriber

The cover is wonderful, but what really gets me excited is the description. Platypuses? Pandas? And what basically amounts to commonly domesticated animals for each race? The only way it could be better is if the animals had some crunch just for them, like anmal archetypes, or tricks, or feats and equipment. What's that? They do? Christmas has come in February!
Contributor

Ah, my first Paizo credit! :)

Nice cover and look Lini got to be in one all by herself well not including the animals and troll anyway.
1 person marked this as a favorite.
ChristinaStiles wrote:
Ah, my first Paizo credit! :)

Congrats, you do good work.

1 person marked this as a favorite.

Wings for pigs! Wings for pigs!

Anyone else looking at the cover and thinking this?
Silver Crusade

Every Disney musical number is a couple of drinks away from turning into that cover.

Does Feiya know her pal is moonlighting?

Really like the cover!

Llamas... I hope...
Silver Crusade
Mead Gregorisson wrote:
Llamas...

The favored beasts of Llamashtu.

Paizo Employee Developer

You might be pleased.
1 person marked this as a favorite.
Mikaze wrote:
Mead Gregorisson wrote:
Llamas...
The favored beasts of Llamashtu.

See, now they couldn't put a Llama on the cover, because the troll would have been beaten long before the squirrel got there.

Adam Daigle wrote:
You might be pleased.

Yay!

Pathfinder Maps, Pathfinder Accessories, Starfinder Society Subscriber; Pathfinder Roleplaying Game Superscriber

That cover is fantastic! Who is the artist?
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