Which four iconics would you like to GM a Pathfinder AP for? And which AP?
If one's playing something like Kingmaker, is there a way the ruler can promote reform in things like education, religion, architecture and the arts if they lack the necessary skills to oversee something like that personally? I'm interested in playing a sort of Charlemagne or Justinian-style figure, but I worry that if I play a paladin like I want to, I'll basically run into things like:
"How can you write a series of essays defending your legal reforms, you don't have any ranks in Artistry, and furthermore, how are you smart enough to MAKE those legal reforms in the first place, because you spent your two skill points on Ride and Handle Animal?!"
"How can you pioneer new architectural styles, Knowledge (engineering) isn't a class skill for you?!"
"How can you propose economic reforms, you don't have any ranks in Appraise?!"
"How can you promote the building of new churches and revised editions of your god's holy book? You don't have any ranks in Knowledge (religion) since you spent your two skill points on Diplomacy and Sense Motive!"
It feels like if you want to be a reforming sort of ruler, you're locked into picking classes that either have a lot of skill points to spend like a rogue or investigator, or play as a class that benefits from having a high enough Intelligence that such things don't matter, like a wizard.
Talk with your GM about this. These are all role-playing elements, frankly, and not really rules questions. That said, if you want to play a character who focuses on a wide range of skills, you do indeed need to consider playing a class that offers a lot of skill ranks. That, or play a human (bonus skill rank) with a high Intelligence and use your favored class levels to bolster more skills.
You can't have it all.
No ruler can know everything... that's what advisors and councils are for.
|
Hey James,
1. Does Orcus have the same degrees of influence and prestige in the Abyss like he does in other dungeons and dragons settings, and did he invent liches as well?
2. Do gods have a set biological sex and form like mortals do or can they choose what they want their bodies and shapes to be like?
3. How would you describe Rovagug's relationship with the elder gods and great old ones? Positive, negative, or neutral?
4. What happened to the sword Aroden forged, Azlant Diamond?
5. Does the common tongue sound like a European language (meaning the basic vowels and consonants similar in all European languages)? Would the names of the NPC's be a good indicator of what Common might sound like?
Creative Director
|
| 1 person marked this as a favorite. |
What about Succubi? :3Doppelgangers!Well, by "monsters" I more meant creatures with racial Hit Dice.Are there any Bestiary 1 monsters that you think would make good swashbucklers, magi, investigators or vigilantes?Tengus!
They'd probably do a good job too, I suppose.
|
Creative Director
|
Hey James,
1. Does Orcus have the same degrees of influence and prestige in the Abyss like he does in other dungeons and dragons settings, and did he invent liches as well?
2. Do gods have a set biological sex and form like mortals do or can they choose what they want their bodies and shapes to be like?
3. How would you describe Rovagug's relationship with the elder gods and great old ones? Positive, negative, or neutral?
4. What happened to the sword Aroden forged, Azlant Diamond?
5. Does the common tongue sound like a European language (meaning the basic vowels and consonants similar in all European languages)? Would the names of the NPC's be a good indicator of what Common might sound like?
1) Not so much. He certainly didn't invent liches in Golarion. While he IS a part of the setting, we've elected to not do too much with him out of respect for both D&D and for Necromancer Games, which have both done a LOT with Orcus in adventures and settings. Put another way, Orcus has had plenty of time in the spotlight, and thus doesn't need more.
2) They can choose.
3) Negative.
4) Unrevealed.
5) For sake of sanity, it's probably best to assume that Common sounds like modern English.
Are there any outsiders that would make good vigilantes?
Speaking of, and this was just brought to my attention earlier, why were Succubi given Fire Immunity in Pathfinder?Because they did in previous editions of the game.
Actually, the 3.5 SRD shows they had the standard demon fire resistance 10. Someone in another thread suggested that 3.5 Succubi not having fire immunity is why the harem in The Final Wish (the last 3.5 AP) used Erinyes instead of Succubi. Would the development timeline of Legacy of Fire have lined up with Bestiary 1 well enough to have potentially influenced making Succubi fire immune in PF for that exact reason?
|
Creative Director
|
| 2 people marked this as a favorite. |
In 3.5 they only had fire resistance, not immunity. Did they have immunity in editions before that?Speaking of, and this was just brought to my attention earlier, why were Succubi given Fire Immunity in Pathfinder?Because they did in previous editions of the game.
Huh... not really.
Not sure why they have fire immunity, but I had a reason for giving it to them. Maybe they had fire immunity back in the Chainmail days? Or maybe I just decided they could use fire immunity? It's neat for monsters to sometimes have unexpected elements like this, in any event.
|
Creative Director
|
Actually, the 3.5 SRD shows they had the standard demon fire resistance 10. Someone in another thread suggested that 3.5 Succubi not having fire immunity is why the harem in The Final Wish (the last 3.5 AP) used Erinyes instead of Succubi. Would the development timeline of Legacy of Fire have lined up with Bestiary 1 well enough to have potentially influenced making Succubi fire immune in PF for that exact reason?Speaking of, and this was just brought to my attention earlier, why were Succubi given Fire Immunity in Pathfinder?Because they did in previous editions of the game.
Nope.
|
Creative Director
|
Can a fext take endurance and diehard if they get a level in fighter? If they don't fall unconscious at 0 hit points, would they remain fighting until they were hit with a glass or obsidian weapon or holy water?
Diehard (or ferocity or the like) doesn't help a fext and is a pointless feat for them to take, because they have unique rules for what happens when they are reduced to 0 hit points. These rules override the typical rules, which is what Diehard plays off of.
|
Creative Director
|
Not sure why they have fire immunity, but I had a reason for giving it to them.Was your reason related to the fact that they walk around naked in the Abyss and that they would be extinct by now if they didn't have fire immunity?
No, because the Abyss isn't always fiery. In fact, most of the Abyss is not fire-flavored. That's a Hell thing.
| 1 person marked this as a favorite. |
Which four iconics would you like to GM a Pathfinder AP for? And which AP?Merisiel, Kyra, Jirelle, and Lem.
Hell's Rebels.
Ooh. I get to be the wizard!
|
Creative Director
|
Mr. Jacobs,
Hi. Thanks for your last response :)I have a question on regards to flanking condition. Even though there are extensive messages on this (and several are contradicting), I will like to hear from source.
Scenario (all medium creatures and 5' sqrs):
A|B|C
D|E|F
H|I|GIf E is the target, then:
D+B and D+C are not in flank position. Is this correct?My apologies for the silly question.
Correct. D and B do not flank. D and C do not flank. D ONLY flanks with F.
What do you think an evil vigilante would be like?
The only analogue I can think of (in other words, the only villain who bothers concealing his identity in a vigilante-esque way) is Yokai, from Big Hero 6.
Most villains (Moriarty, Littlefinger, Chammady) hide WHAT they are, not WHO they are.
HI James
What does a succubus' eyes look like when not using alter self? I've seen lots of artwork in PF stuff showing glowing red eyes, like the artwork for arushalae, or normal human eyes.
Can a succubus use her alter self ability to affect certain body parts only? Like if she wanted to hide just her claws or just her wings? Or if they have the glowing eyes to make just her eyes appear more human? Or even just change her face to disguise herself as another succubus?
When people make a will save against a succubus' detect thoughts ability pass or fail do they know that someone is trying to read their mind?
|
Creative Director
|
| 1 person marked this as a favorite. |
What do you think an evil vigilante would be like?
The only analogue I can think of (in other words, the only villain who bothers concealing his identity in a vigilante-esque way) is Yokai, from Big Hero 6.
Most villains (Moriarty, Littlefinger, Chammady) hide WHAT they are, not WHO they are.
A serial killer. Maybe like Dexter.
|
Creative Director
|
HI James
What does a succubus' eyes look like when not using alter self? I've seen lots of artwork in PF stuff showing glowing red eyes, like the artwork for arushalae, or normal human eyes.
Can a succubus use her alter self ability to affect certain body parts only? Like if she wanted to hide just her claws or just her wings? Or if they have the glowing eyes to make just her eyes appear more human? Or even just change her face to disguise herself as another succubus?
The succubus can use alter self to appear as a humanoid. Which lets her change as much or as little as she wants, but the end result still has to look like a Small or Medium humanoid, so she can't just turn her glowing red eyes normal and leave the rest unchanged.
Polymorph effects, unless specifically stated otherwise, cannot let you disguise yourself as a specific person. What you CAN do is polymorph/alter self into a close approximation of the target person and then finish the job with a Disguise check to look more like the target.
Not ALL succubi have glowing red eyes, but it is the norm for them.
|
Creative Director
|
When people make a will save against a succubus' detect thoughts ability pass or fail do they know that someone is trying to read their mind?
Unless a spell/spell-like ability specifically includes text to indicate otherwise, a creature always knows if it's been targeted by a magical effect. Not necessarily by WHOM, but they'd feel something. In this case, a weird brushing in the mind of something alien to their thoughts.
There are plenty of feats and class abilities and the like one can take to mask this, but without those additions, if you target someone with a spell or effect, they know they've been targeted.
When people make a will save against a succubus' detect thoughts ability pass or fail do they know that someone is trying to read their mind?Unless a spell/spell-like ability specifically includes text to indicate otherwise, a creature always knows if it's been targeted by a magical effect. Not necessarily by WHOM, but they'd feel something. In this case, a weird brushing in the mind of something alien to their thoughts.
There are plenty of feats and class abilities and the like one can take to mask this, but without those additions, if you target someone with a spell or effect, they know they've been targeted.
*ahem*
Succeeding on a Saving Throw
A creature that successfully saves against a spell that has no obvious physical effects feels a hostile force or a tingle, but cannot deduce the exact nature of the attack. Likewise, if a creature's saving throw succeeds against a targeted spell, you sense that the spell has failed. You do not sense when creatures succeed on saves against effect and area spells.
|
Creative Director
|
| 1 person marked this as a favorite. |
When people make a will save against a succubus' detect thoughts ability pass or fail do they know that someone is trying to read their mind?Unless a spell/spell-like ability specifically includes text to indicate otherwise, a creature always knows if it's been targeted by a magical effect. Not necessarily by WHOM, but they'd feel something. In this case, a weird brushing in the mind of something alien to their thoughts.
There are plenty of feats and class abilities and the like one can take to mask this, but without those additions, if you target someone with a spell or effect, they know they've been targeted.
*ahem*
Succeeding on a Saving Throw
A creature that successfully saves against a spell that has no obvious physical effects feels a hostile force or a tingle, but cannot deduce the exact nature of the attack. Likewise, if a creature's saving throw succeeds against a targeted spell, you sense that the spell has failed. You do not sense when creatures succeed on saves against effect and area spells.
That doesn't change my answer; in fact, it says essentially the same thing that I said but with different words.
If you're targeted by a spell, and you make the save, you know something targeted you. In the case of detect thoughts, which has no obvious physical effects, you feel a "hostile force or a tingle" but don't know where it came from. Which is the same as me saying "...a creature always knows if its been targeted by a magical effect. Not necessarily by whom, but they'd feel something."
So, I guess I'm not sure why you made that passive aggressive post? In any event, let's keep the posts to questions to me here; thanks! (If you were "playing by the thread's rules" you would have added to your post "Does this quote from the core rulebook contradict what you said, James?")
A serial killer. Maybe like Dexter.What do you think an evil vigilante would be like?
The only analogue I can think of (in other words, the only villain who bothers concealing his identity in a vigilante-esque way) is Yokai, from Big Hero 6.
Most villains (Moriarty, Littlefinger, Chammady) hide WHAT they are, not WHO they are.
From what little I know about that series, Dexter more fits into the latter category. Everyone knows he's Dexter, but the fact that he's a killer is a secret.
The whole schtick of the vigilante is that his identity is hidden.
| 1 person marked this as a favorite. |
So, I guess I'm not sure why you made that passive aggressive post?
...
Huh. I usually try to keep minor rules corrections sharp and short in an attempt to not seem agressive, passive or otherwise. It is certainly better than saying "hey James, section blah blah blah *waves book in face* of the core rule book says that you are WRONG, see it says it right here". It was meant to be a quick FYI, not an attack on you. Apologies if it came off that way.
I think at least one of us has misunderstood something in the previous exchange. Let me go through my understanding...
When people make a will save against a succubus' detect thoughts ability pass or fail do they know that someone is trying to read their mind?
Alundrell asked if victims of a Succubus' detect thoughs ability know that they have had their minds read, regardless of whether or not they have saved.
Unless a spell/spell-like ability specifically includes text to indicate otherwise, a creature always knows if it's been targeted by a magical effect. Not necessarily by WHOM, but they'd feel something. In this case, a weird brushing in the mind of something alien to their thoughts.
And you replied that they would know they have been affected by something magical, but not by who or by what specifically. Given the context and your phrasing (which I bolded), I took it to mean that you were saying that a creature knew that they were being affected regardless of whether or not they saved.
There are plenty of feats and class abilities and the like one can take to mask this, but without those additions, if you target someone with a spell or effect, they know they've been targeted.
And again, I took this as you saying that a creature who failed their save was still aware of the effect.
*ahem*
Succeeding on a Saving Throw
A creature that successfully saves against a spell that has no obvious physical effects feels a hostile force or a tingle, but cannot deduce the exact nature of the attack. Likewise, if a creature's saving throw succeeds against a targeted spell, you sense that the spell has failed. You do not sense when creatures succeed on saves against effect and area spells.
Then I posted the rules text that contradicted what I thought you said.
That doesn't change my answer; in fact, it says essentially the same thing that I said but with different words.If you're targeted by a spell, and you make the save, you know something targeted you. In the case of detect thoughts, which has no obvious physical effects, you feel a "hostile force or a tingle" but don't know where it came from. Which is the same as me saying "...a creature always knows if its been targeted by a magical effect. Not necessarily by whom, but they'd feel something."
And here is where my previous understanding of your understanding appears to contradict my current understanding of your understanding.
How does this compare to your understanding?
A serial killer. Maybe like Dexter.What do you think an evil vigilante would be like?
The only analogue I can think of (in other words, the only villain who bothers concealing his identity in a vigilante-esque way) is Yokai, from Big Hero 6.
Most villains (Moriarty, Littlefinger, Chammady) hide WHAT they are, not WHO they are.
What about someone hiding their devotion to an evil deity in a predominantly good society?
Would that be a good fit, Joe Smith, CN faithful of Cayden Cailean by day, The Pallid Mask, CE agent of Hastur by night?
Query: Given the the Qlippoth hate sinful mortal life, what do they make of the Outer Gods/Great Old Ones and their cults? On the one hand, they're definitely increasing the number of Chaotic Evil souls out there, but on the other hand, their goals are often fairly apocalyptic.
|
Creative Director
|
...
So, I guess I'm not sure why you made that passive aggressive post?
...Huh. I usually try to keep minor rules corrections sharp and short in an attempt to not seem agressive, passive or otherwise. It is certainly better than saying "hey James, section blah blah blah *waves book in face* of the core rule book says that you are WRONG, see it says it right here". It was meant to be a quick FYI, not an attack on you. Apologies if it came off that way.
I think at least one of us has misunderstood something in the previous exchange. Let me go through my understanding...
** spoiler omitted **
Ah, so you're wondering if something that FAILS its save notices it has been targeted? In that case, yes they do, unless the spell says otherwise.
|
Creative Director
|
| 1 person marked this as a favorite. |
A serial killer. Maybe like Dexter.What do you think an evil vigilante would be like?
The only analogue I can think of (in other words, the only villain who bothers concealing his identity in a vigilante-esque way) is Yokai, from Big Hero 6.
Most villains (Moriarty, Littlefinger, Chammady) hide WHAT they are, not WHO they are.
What about someone hiding their devotion to an evil deity in a predominantly good society?
Would that be a good fit, Joe Smith, CN faithful of Cayden Cailean by day, The Pallid Mask, CE agent of Hastur by night?
Query: Given the the Qlippoth hate sinful mortal life, what do they make of the Outer Gods/Great Old Ones and their cults? On the one hand, they're definitely increasing the number of Chaotic Evil souls out there, but on the other hand, their goals are often fairly apocalyptic.
There's nothing about a society's alignment that restricts vigilante choices.
Qlippoth consider the cults of the Elder Mythos to be as worthy of destruction as any other. They don't care why something sins, just that it does.
HI James
What does a succubus' eyes look like when not using alter self? I've seen lots of artwork in PF stuff showing glowing red eyes, like the artwork for arushalae, or normal human eyes.
Can a succubus use her alter self ability to affect certain body parts only? Like if she wanted to hide just her claws or just her wings? Or if they have the glowing eyes to make just her eyes appear more human? Or even just change her face to disguise herself as another succubus?
The succubus can use alter self to appear as a humanoid. Which lets her change as much or as little as she wants, but the end result still has to look like a Small or Medium humanoid, so she can't just turn her glowing red eyes normal and leave the rest unchanged.
Polymorph effects, unless specifically stated otherwise, cannot let you disguise yourself as a specific person. What you CAN do is polymorph/alter self into a close approximation of the target person and then finish the job with a Disguise check to look more like the target.
Not ALL succubi have glowing red eyes, but it is the norm for them.
So a succubus couldn't use their alter shape to look like a human version of them selves it would be a close approximation of them?
|
Creative Director
|
| 1 person marked this as a favorite. |
So a succubus couldn't use their alter shape to look like a human version of them selves it would be a close approximation of them?
A succubus can absolutely use change self to look like a human (or elf or dwarf or gnome or whatever) version of their true form, since that would not be assuming the form of an existing humanoid.
A serial killer. Maybe like Dexter.What do you think an evil vigilante would be like?
The only analogue I can think of (in other words, the only villain who bothers concealing his identity in a vigilante-esque way) is Yokai, from Big Hero 6.
Most villains (Moriarty, Littlefinger, Chammady) hide WHAT they are, not WHO they are.
I have a follow-up...
I'm running Rise of the Runelords (Anniversary Edition), and I've been playing with redesigning some encounters and NPCs to incorporate new rules...
Does that feel about right to you?
|
Creative Director
|
A serial killer. Maybe like Dexter.What do you think an evil vigilante would be like?
The only analogue I can think of (in other words, the only villain who bothers concealing his identity in a vigilante-esque way) is Yokai, from Big Hero 6.
Most villains (Moriarty, Littlefinger, Chammady) hide WHAT they are, not WHO they are.
I have a follow-up...
I'm running Rise of the Runelords (Anniversary Edition), and I've been playing with redesigning some encounters and NPCs to incorporate new rules...
** spoiler omitted **
Does that feel about right to you?
It doesn't feel right to me. I like him better as is, as a cleric/rogue.
|
Creative Director
|
When people make a will save against a succubus' detect thoughts ability pass or fail do they know that someone is trying to read their mind?Unless a spell/spell-like ability specifically includes text to indicate otherwise, a creature always knows if it's been targeted by a magical effect. Not necessarily by WHOM, but they'd feel something. In this case, a weird brushing in the mind of something alien to their thoughts.
There are plenty of feats and class abilities and the like one can take to mask this, but without those additions, if you target someone with a spell or effect, they know they've been targeted.
Then how does charm person play out?
Like, if I fail my save I would still know I have been targeted with magic? In which case I would be automatically suspicious.
In a case like that, the entire point of the spell is to alter and magically change your perceptions. Whether or not you knew you were targeted with magic is irrelevant, because you failed your save and you would still regard the caster as an ally. When the effect wore off, you'd realize what happened, of course, but at the time, during the effect, even if you DID recognize the spell for what it was, the effects would prevent you from being suspicious. Whether you choose to roleplay that as forgetting or not caring or misunderstanding the spell or whatever is up to you. Choose the version that feels right for you.
| 1 person marked this as a favorite. |
I know succubi like to use detect thoughts to better seduce there targets, how is that a viable option if even a lowly commoner, who would undoubtedly fail the DC 20 save needed to resist, would know that he is under some sort of magic attack? Wouldn't that make Him suspicious right off the bat or would his ignorance of magic and outsiders be what would protect the succubus from being found out?
|
Creative Director
|
| 1 person marked this as a favorite. |
I know succubi like to use detect thoughts to better seduce there targets, how is that a viable option if even a lowly commoner, who would undoubtedly fail the DC 20 save needed to resist, would know that he is under some sort of magic attack? Wouldn't that make Him suspicious right off the bat or would his ignorance of magic and outsiders be what would protect the succubus from being found out?
First of all, remember that the typical Succubus has a Sense Motive skill of +13, so she doesn't always have to use detect thoughts to learn about a target.
Second of all, remember that the typical Succubus has a Bluff skill of +27, which should be more than enough in most situations to make someone feel better about the weird feeling a detect thoughts spell causes. "Oh, you're just nervous, but you don't have to be, because I really do like you!" followed by a +27 Bluff check is probably enough to make most folks feel better after being thought probed.
And third of all, remember that they can do charm monster at will. That's a great way to make someone who's become suspicious of you and who you, for some reason, can't calm down with your incredibly high Bluff check, see you as an ally once again.
And lastly, remember that they can also use detect thoughts on other people who AREN'T their seduction target to learn things about the target.
I know succubi like to use detect thoughts to better seduce there targets, how is that a viable option if even a lowly commoner, who would undoubtedly fail the DC 20 save needed to resist, would know that he is under some sort of magic attack? Wouldn't that make Him suspicious right off the bat or would his ignorance of magic and outsiders be what would protect the succubus from being found out?First of all, remember that the typical Succubus has a Sense Motive skill of +13, so she doesn't always have to use detect thoughts to learn about a target.
Second of all, remember that the typical Succubus has a Bluff skill of +27, which should be more than enough in most situations to make someone feel better about the weird feeling a detect thoughts spell causes. "Oh, you're just nervous, but you don't have to be, because I really do like you!" followed by a +27 Bluff check is probably enough to make most folks feel better after being thought probed.
And third of all, remember that they can do charm monster at will. That's a great way to make someone who's become suspicious of you and who you, for some reason, can't calm down with your incredibly high Bluff check, see you as an ally once again.
And lastly, remember that they can also use detect thoughts on other people who AREN'T their seduction target to learn things about the target.
Those are all verry good points thanks James :)
| 1 person marked this as a favorite. |
Ah, so you're wondering if something that FAILS its save notices it has been targeted? In that case, yes they do, unless the spell says otherwise.
Wouldn't it be fair to say that while you would handle it this way at your table, the fact that rule specifically calls out that you feel something on a successful save rather than all the time strongly indicates that you don't actually feel anything on a failed save without such a house rule?
Isn't that reinforced by the fact that the Ultimate Intrigue feat Subtle Enchatments strongly supports the latter point of view?
Benefit(s): When you cast an enchantment spell or use an enchantment spell-like ability to influence a creature's attitude or actions and the foe negates the spell with a successful Will save, she has a 50% chance not to notice that she just succeeded at a saving throw (she still can attempt to identify your spell or spell-like ability as normal). If the foe fails the saving throw or is otherwise affected by the spell, the Sense Motive DC to notice she is under the effects of an enchantment increases by 5. [Note: That's the Sense Motive DC for outside observers, not the subject of the spell.]Normal: Anyone who successfully saves against a spell notices the mental intrusion automatically.
Note that it says nothing about applying that 50% chance of not realizing a spell was cast to the case where you fail the save; it assumes the normal rule is that failed saves don't tell you that you were subject to a subtle mind affecting effect like mind reading.
|
Creative Director
|
| 4 people marked this as a favorite. |
Ah, so you're wondering if something that FAILS its save notices it has been targeted? In that case, yes they do, unless the spell says otherwise.Wouldn't it be fair to say that while you would handle it this way at your table, the fact that rule specifically calls out that you feel something on a successful save rather than all the time strongly indicates that you don't actually feel anything on a failed save without such a house rule?
Isn't that reinforced by the fact that the Ultimate Intrigue feat Subtle Enchatments strongly supports the latter point of view?
Note that it says nothing about applying that 50% chance of not realizing a spell was cast to the case where you fail the save; it assumes the normal rule is that failed saves don't tell you that you were subject to a subtle mind affecting effect like mind reading.
Benefit(s): When you cast an enchantment spell or use an enchantment spell-like ability to influence a creature's attitude or actions and the foe negates the spell with a successful Will save, she has a 50% chance not to notice that she just succeeded at a saving throw (she still can attempt to identify your spell or spell-like ability as normal). If the foe fails the saving throw or is otherwise affected by the spell, the Sense Motive DC to notice she is under the effects of an enchantment increases by 5. [Note: That's the Sense Motive DC for outside observers, not the subject of the spell.]Normal: Anyone who successfully saves against a spell notices the mental intrusion automatically.
Exhibit A as to why I tend to not answer rules questions here.
If I DO provide an answer/advice on a rules issue, and it helps the person who asked, then please do not pile into the thread to bury us under pedantry or rules discussions. That's not the point of this thread.
Keep your posts to questions for me, and I'll do my best to re-direct rules questions out of the thread, I guess.
Hey James I've been leafing through mythic rules recently and something stuck out to me. Animal companions seem slightly under tuned as you move through the levels.
I mean at the start the 5-/ Damage resistance thing could be really big but scaling up they seem to drop off horribly because whilst the characters are getting some incredible survivability from the extra hit points/hard to kill/Mythic saves/tons of other stuff. Animal companions don't really get anything and the issue is compounded by the number of Mythic abilities which are extra strong against none mythic creatures (Arcane surge for example). Furthermore to my knowledge their isn't anything within mythic rules to give furry buddies some extra defense against magic/elemental damage at all meaning their isn't a great deal to be done against a mythic breath weapon or blaster wizard besides hiding your animal or hoping he blasts the rogue with his super duper evasion. I imagine it would be rather unsatisfying watching Titania the tiger become more and more comparatively squishy as Danielle the druid became more and more badass.
In my group we decided to tweak the animal companion buff so that instead of damage reduction the first investment gives them the general mythic template rules (HP scaling off your rank) +the 5-/ damage thing and the second gives them the savage mythic template but its a 6th tier thing.
I was mostly wondering why animal companions were made this way, was it a conscious design decision to try and move away from animal companions/cohorts as a class feature in mythic or just that they weren't meant to compete with mythic encounters?
and if so why? its not like their are no examples of legendary heroes with legendary furry pals.
OR have I missed something somewhere that says that animal companions gain a simple mythic template causing this whole ramble to be essentially null and void. LOL.
I hope you don't mistake my tone, in general I really liked the Mythic rules specifically for Mythic druids with all the nice nature based stuff (flowers in your footsteps for example.) but this just sort of stuck out to me.
I should work on being more succinct I feel.