Magical Beasts and spells that target Animals

[The black raven]

Based on the Bestiary description of types stating that Magical Beasts are similar to Animals, one of the players in my group believes that you can use spells that target Animals (such as Hide from Animals) to target Magical Beasts.

I believe that such is not the case (I am not the GM), moreso because then a case could be made that you could use spells such as Charm Person against Monstrous Humanoids (which are stated as "similar to Humanoids" in the Bestiary).

Which one of us is right ?

[Mathwei ap Niall]

The black raven wrote:

Based on the Bestiary description of types stating that Magical Beasts are similar to Animals, one of the players in my group believes that you can use spells that target Animals (such as Hide from Animals) to target Magical Beasts.

I believe that such is not the case (I am not the GM), moreso because then a case could be made that you could use spells such as Charm Person against Monstrous Humanoids (which are stated as "similar to Humanoids" in the Bestiary).

Which one of us is right ?

You are, magical beasts and animals are two completely different types and the listed spells specify what TYPE they affect.

Tell him to look at the types listed in the back of the bestiary to see the difference.

[Some call me Tim]

I agree with you. Similar does not mean equal.

[Bascaria]

Animal and Magical Beast types are similar, but they are not the same. If the spell specifically calls out animals and not magical beasts, it only works on animals.

Your monstrous humanoid comparison is correct. <x> Person (Charm, Reduce, Enlarge, Hold, etc.) spells only work on humanoids and do not work on monstrous humanoids, even though they are similar.

Edit: Holy ninja, Batman.