I did a search here, and found a lot of really old threads (3.5-era) and a lot of quibbling over the language of the new Pathfinder text for the "Share Spells" ability.
The wording is "The druid may cast a spell with a target of “You” on her animal companion (as a touch range spell) instead of on herself. A druid may cast spells on her animal companion even if the spells normally do not affect creatures of the companion’s type (animal)."
I'm not interested in reopening the debate or starting a holy war, so let's assume that this means
1. Druids can cast any spell that explicitly states "You" as a target on their animal companion (such as Longstrider).
2. Druids can cast any spell on an animal companion, even if would not normally apply to an animal (such as Enlarge Person, if they had it).
I'm also going to go ahead and say that I don't want to assume any multiclassing. No Wiz/Sor spells here, just pure Druid spells from Core/APG.
Looking at the list of Druid spells, I'm at a loss. Druids don't have many "You" spells, and most of their spells target creatures, which would include animals. There's really not that much you can do with the ability.
- Longstrider, +10 feet of movement
- Speak with Animals? Don't see a point in this.
- Obscuring Mist. Does not explicitly state "Target: You", but says "cloud spreads in 20-ft. radius from you". Theoretically could cast it on your tiger and have him cloud up the area while everyone retreats. Doubly useful if he has blindfight.
- Produce Flame. Again, not "Target: You", but Effect is "flame in your palm". If I'm going up against a well-armored foe, could I cast this on my tiger and have him make touch attacks instead of claws? Could be useful for smaller companions with smaller damage dice.
- Aspect of the Bear (APG). Finally, a "Target: You" worth something! +2 to AC and CMB rolls, AND no AoOs on several combat maneuvers. For pre-level 7 tigers, this will greatly help in getting some Rakes in!
- Burning Gaze (APG). Tiger that shoots fire out of it's eyes while you're riding it? Kind of sucks that it eats a standard action. Debatable if the tiger could even use it.
- Glide (APG). Feather fall for your companion, if you can touch him.
- Tree shape. Yeah.
And that's all I see, going up through 4th level spells.
At 10th+ Level you can take Improved Share Spells, to get the old effect of having a spell effect BOTH you and your companion, but at low-levels you have to pick who gets the spell. You'll have to decide who is getting Bulls Strength!
Are there any other creative uses for the Share Spells ability for a Druid? I read an older article from Dragon Magazine that recommended using Rusting Grasp to let your animal companion slap someone's armor, but that also doesn't have a target of "You" explicitly.
What else do you guys have?
Aspect of the Wolf, Antilife Shell and Shapechange are the big ones to me.
Casting Aspect of the wolf on a wolf just seems wrong.
You missed the best one: Read Magic. Your wolf can now read.
You missed the best one: Read Magic. Your wolf can now read.
But only magic :)
You missed the best one: Read Magic. Your wolf can now read.But only magic :)
I had to double check that one but you're quite right.
I got some sleep and re-read obscuring mist. I misunderstood it, I thought it emanated from you every round (and thus followed you). Casting it from the tiger is worthless if you have to be touching him anyway.
I'm still trying to figure out what feat to pick for the little guy. Obscuring Mist + Blindfight would be interesting.
Aspect of the Wolf/Stag are good ones! Antilife Shell and Shapechange re too high level for me to consider right now (we're starting at level 1, and we level fairly slowly).
Aspect of the Bear is going to be my go-to spell at 2nd level. The tiger won't have grab yet (gets it at 7th), and he can charge into a grapple with a +2 and no AoO. Then he starts The Rending.
The vision of my Gnome Druid firing off sling bullets while riding a tiger that is shooting fire out of it's eyes is pretty hilarious too!