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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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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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Maybe the preview could be a stat block for the platypus or llama?
Pretty please?

Platypus*

Quote:


Starting Statistics: Size Small; Speed 20 ft., swim 30 ft.; AC +1 natural armor; Attack tail slap (1d4), ankle spur (1d1 plus poison) ; Ability Scores Str 12, Dex 16, Con 10, Int 8, Wis 10, Cha 13; Special Attacks poison (Frequency 1 round (6), Effect sickened, Cure 1 save, Con-based DC); Special Qualities low-light vision, +16 Disguise while wearing blue hat.

4th-Level Advancement: Ability Scores Str +2, Con +2, Int +2, Cha +2; Special Qualities Favored Enemy (Evil Scientists) as a level 1 ranger, opposable thumbs.

*:
May not actually represent the real stats for a platypus.
Dark Archive
Pathfinder Roleplaying Game Charter Superscriber

Cheapy, that's only for the rare North American Teal Platypus, and they wear brown hats, not blue. Of course they have to deal with the drawback that all humans gain Favored Enemy (platypus), including android human analogues.

And are Pandas actually going to be familiars, or just animal companions? Or are we talking Red Pandas for familiars?

Any word on previews?

I demand stats for chickens!
Silver Crusade
10 people marked this as a favorite.
Steven "Troll" O'Neal wrote:
I demand stats for chickens!

Summon Allies(Su): A chicken that is attacked 50 times can summon a horde of 20d10 chickens as a free action. These chickens immediately attack their summoner's foes for three rounds before vanishing. Summoned chickens act as if under the effects of the rage spell. These chickens also have an untyped +2 bonus to all attacks made on elves, half-elves, and left-handed humanoids.

Pathfinder Lost Omens, Starfinder Roleplaying Game Subscriber

I can't wait to add these options to my kellid Oracle of Nature (Lame curse) striding forth on his Megaloceros steed, leading an army of summoned dire animals infused with the power of his sunlight, starlight, and moonlight summons feats.

Feel Natures Wrath!
Shadow Lodge

Ohh mad dog and carnivalist. Are there any more archetypes in this and if so what are their names?
Shadow Lodge

Also are we getting any new reptiles and amphibian options for animal companions and familiars? I would love to have a giant japanese salamander as an option.

Roadrunners and coyotes would be nice!
Developer
J-Spee Lovecraft wrote:

Maybe the preview could be a stat block for the platypus or llama?

Pretty please?

Ah, you know just the animals to mention to play on my heart strings. ;)

Shalafi2412 wrote:
Any word on previews?

Ask and ye shall receive. Stay tuned in to the Paizo blog in the next few days, folks!

Why nobody cares about no Ant-eaters here?

I would have loved some Ant Eaters in there! Or maybe some Maned Wolves.

Needs more robots. Robotic squirrels. There we go. Is it too late for awesomeness?
Scarab Sages RPG Superstar 2008 Top 4; Contributor; Publisher, Legendary Games
1 person marked this as a favorite.

I don't know if it's too late for robotic squirrels, but it is definitely not too late for awesomeness! I think everyone will find something to enjoy, whether your "pet" (pun intended) issue gets addressed or not.
Sincubus wrote:

Why nobody cares about no Ant-eaters here?

I would have loved some Ant Eaters in there! Or maybe some Maned Wolves.

Who said there were no anteaters here? I don't see a full listing of the animals in the archive.

1 person marked this as a favorite.
Sincubus wrote:
Why nobody cares about no Ant-eaters here?

Not enough B.C. readers at Paizo, possibly?

Sovereign Court
Pathfinder Battles Case Subscriber; Pathfinder Maps, Starfinder Adventure Path, Starfinder Maps, Starfinder Roleplaying Game, Starfinder Society Subscriber; Pathfinder Roleplaying Game Charter Superscriber
Kajehase wrote:
Sincubus wrote:
Why nobody cares about no Ant-eaters here?
Not enough B.C. readers at Paizo, possibly?

Or UC Irvine alumni?

Shadow Lodge
Pathfinder Lost Omens, Maps, Rulebook Subscriber
Kajehase wrote:
Sincubus wrote:
Why nobody cares about no Ant-eaters here?
Not enough B.C. readers at Paizo, possibly?

Us BC readers want to see an Apteryx (or possibly a clam).

And a magic mono-wheel made out of stone vehicle.
Cheapy wrote:
Needs more robots. Robotic squirrels. There we go. Is it too late for awesomeness?

These robot-comments everytime I post are really not needed, if you want to see me angry, try other stuff for a change, or did the bag-o-teeth set you up to this?

Anyway i'm sure when they read about the ant-eaters they thought something like: S*#~, we forgot about those but they would fit perfectly next to other strange mammels like Platypus and Armadillo.

There is a big list of animals already open of the 8 in total, so there are only few spots left, we got Panda/Squirrel/Rabbit/Llama/Armadillo/Platypus so there are only 2 spots left which probably go to new birds or reptiles so that's why I think there is no ant eater.

A giant Veo/Pangolin would have been fun too, but maybe more so as bestairy material tho.
Silver Crusade
Pathfinder Adventure Path Subscriber

I'm flattered. :)
Patrick Renie wrote:

Ask and ye shall receive. Stay tuned in to the Paizo blog in the next few days, folks!

AWESOME!

Liberty's Edge
3 people marked this as a favorite.

Just looked through mine. First thought: The Carnivalist and Hound Master are both excellent, kinda down on the Mad Dog (archetypes). Archetypes for animals is neat sounding looking and I need to go back and examine them further. The section on which magic slots each animal type has can use is SUPER useful! Having a page with all the familiars and the bonus' they receive all on one page is super clutch! The twp page spread with Golarion animals and maps with the extent of their habitats is awesome, though I'm a sucker for that kinda of stuff. Also: Llama companion, nuff said!
1 person marked this as a favorite.

Hound master!?

Man i want Penguins. Really hoping for penguins.
Silver Crusade
Valrydus wrote:
Man i want Penguins. Really hoping for penguins.

With umbrellas. That can spin around and lift them off the ground like helicopters.

Err... maybe that's not what you were thinking of.

Wow a map of were to find these animals on Golarion, that sounds cool.
Liberty's Edge
1 person marked this as a favorite.
Cheapy wrote:
Hound master!?

Sorry, it's called Huntmaster. It's a cavalier archetype. At first level they get Hunting Pack. She can choose a bird or a dog. She can have more than one companion, but must divide her effective level between her companions to determine the abilities each gets

So what are all the new animals in the book?
Liberty's Edge
1 person marked this as a favorite.

Companions:
Llama CR1/2
Moose CR3
Panda CR2
Walrus CR4

Familiars:
Armadillo CR1/4
Platypus CR1/6
Rabbit CR1/6
Skunk (stats in B3 but familiar ability given)
Squirrel CR1/8
Liberty's Edge

There is also the cost to buy every animal... EVERY ANIMAL!!! Also a ton of new feats for your companions/familiars/mounts.
Silver Crusade
Pathfinder Adventure Path Subscriber

Can I haz squirrols with lazors?
Editor-in-Chief
spamhammer wrote:
The most pressing question is, will there be badgers of action?

Unexpectedly, Yes. ;)

Editor-in-Chief
1 person marked this as a favorite.
Valrydus wrote:
Man i want Penguins. Really hoping for penguins.

Team AP has a present for you then: Reign of Winter Player's Guide.

Sovereign Court
F. Wesley Schneider wrote:
Valrydus wrote:
Man i want Penguins. Really hoping for penguins.
Team AP has a present for you then: Reign of Winter Player's Guide.

As excited as I was to know this came out, you got my hopes up to see any penguins in there...

So what are the feats like?
Liberty's Edge
2 people marked this as a favorite.

Boon Companion -- treat animal as if your class level + 4
Critical Conduit -- double crit range on deliver touch spells
Extra Item Slot -- can use slot not normally allow by type
Familiar Focus -- caster level +1 on spells on animal
Familiar Spell(Metamagic) -- Transfer prepared spell to animal to use at later date
Jumper -- always count as having running start
Lithe Attacker -- can attack while using escape artist fitting through small spaces
Master of Your Kind -- Master gets +2 Handle Animal and animal get's spell like ability to control animals of their kind
Narrow Frame -- Better fighting in close quarters
Spell Sponge -- Double master's spell length on you
Stable Gallop -- halve AC from charge
Sure-Footed -- Quadruped animal only, bonus to Acrobatics on slops and stairs
Valiant Steed -- +4 saves vs fear/emotion, also master get's better rools with you if your a mount.

Hey cool! They did reprint Boon Companion after all!
1 person marked this as a favorite.

Thanks for info Mika Silva.
Liberty's Edge
Pathfinder Adventure, Adventure Path, Lost Omens, Rulebook Subscriber

Holy Lem on a Llama!!!

Is he playing rhama llama ding dong?
F. Wesley Schneider wrote:
Valrydus wrote:
Man i want Penguins. Really hoping for penguins.
Team AP has a present for you then: Reign of Winter Player's Guide.

Well, looks like you'd have to reskin the Puffin, since I don't see a Penguin.

The Huntmaster cavalier archetype.

Finally. Sure it's not EXACTLY like the Houndmaster, but it's nice.
Liberty's Edge

I think people who found the last couple Player Companions lacking in crunchy goodness will enjoy this one. Unless of course you hate animals.

" The section on which magic slots each animal type has can use is SUPER useful!"

This is exactly what i was hoping to see.

Since the downloads section is not available to see my copy, I have a few questions:

1) Any spells related to familiars in the book?

2) What are the archtypes for familiars?

3) Anything specifically for witch familiars?
Liberty's Edge

Sorry, didn't save my files and now the downloads are off.

1) There is at least two pages of spells devoted to companions/familiars.

2) There are about a half dozen archetypes. I believe one of the familiar ones makes it good at pilfering items from enemies (like the monkey from Pirates of the Caribbean). All the archetypes mechanically are like normal PC archetypes but instead swap out abilities the familiar and/or companion would get a certain levels.

3) Don't remember if there was but I glazed through the spells yesterday only.

Has it been released?
Silver Crusade
Pathfinder Adventure Path Subscriber
Shalafi2412 wrote:
Has it been released?

If you're a subscriber and have a hint of luck, yes.

The Exchange
1 person marked this as a favorite.

FYI, the contents of this product are posted on d20pfsrd in the private areas but we're waiting the customary 2 weeks from the date it is available in stores. There's a ton of crunchy goodness in this one so if you like animals, companions, familiars, pets, whatever, this ones an awesome investment.
d20pfsrd.com wrote:
FYI, the contents of this product are posted on d20pfsrd in the private areas but we're waiting the customary 2 weeks from the date it is available in stores. There's a ton of crunchy goodness in this one so if you like animals, companions, familiars, pets, whatever, this ones an awesome investment.

Is the private section for subscribers?

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