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Max. Attacks: This indicates the maximum number of natural attacks that the eidolon is allowed to possess at the given level. If the eidolon is at its maximum, it cannot take evolutions that grant additional natural attacks. This does not include attacks made with weapons.
Claws (Ex)
An eidolon has a pair of vicious claws at the end of its limbs, giving it two claw attacks. These attacks are primary attacks. The claws deal 1d4 points of damage (1d6 if Large, 1d8 if Huge). The eidolon must have the limbs evolution to take this evolution. This evolution can only be applied to the limbs (legs) evolution once This evolution can be selected more than once, but the eidolon must possess an equal number of the limbs evolution.
A biped eidolon starts with two claw attacks. RAW, since it's below his maximum, it should be able to take evolutions that grant additional natural attacks. The claw evolution can be applied once to its legs, granting it a total of four natural attacks (or five if it also grew up among orcs).
By RAW, I'd say the Eidolon has 4 attacks, but can only use 3 of them in any given round.
By RAI, I'd say the rule should read "The Eidolon can't take any evolutions that would bring its numbers of attack above the maximum mentioned in the table."
One way or another, I think the 3 attacks is the intended hard cap.
I would say it cannot take the claws then as per the wording as it would give too many attacks.
I would say it cannot take the claws then as per the wording as it would give too many attacks.
Well, if you go by the exact RAW, its questionable. The rule only says the Eidolon can't take additional attacks IF it's already at its maximum. However, with just 2 claw attacks, it has not yet reached its maximum and thus, can acn take an additional evolution that grants a natural atttack. Guess nobody thought of evolutions that grant two attacks when they chose that wording.
Anyway, I think we agree that even if it takes the second claw evolution, it won't be able to actually use all 4 at once. Which actually maks another natural attack like bite the better choice.