Bird...but no fly by attack?


Advice

Silver Crusade

If I choose a bird as my animal companion, it says I can choose a number of feats, but they are lacking fly by attack. Is there a reason? How can a hawk even be some what good if he doesn't get fly by attack? I am very confused by this. Also if I am a ranger and take Boon companion, will that upgrade it to my normal level?


Ill_Made_Knight wrote:
If I choose a bird as my animal companion, it says I can choose a number of feats, but they are lacking fly by attack. Is there a reason? How can a hawk even be some what good if he doesn't get fly by attack? I am very confused by this. Also if I am a ranger and take Boon companion, will that upgrade it to my normal level?

If you want your bird companion to get flyby attack, use its 4th hit die ability increase on intelligence and get the feat for its 5th hit die.

You can also ask your GM if they would let it slide just like that.

Boon Companion: Yes, that is pretty much the idea.


Ill_Made_Knight wrote:
How can a hawk even be some what good if he doesn't get fly by attack?

Fly by attack does NOT prevent attacks of opportunity... Giving it to your avian friend is just going to get him pasted when he tries to use it.

3.5 used to have a followup feat that made it work like spring attack, but not sure if that feat made it to Pathfinder.


Ill_Made_Knight wrote:
If I choose a bird as my animal companion, it says I can choose a number of feats, but they are lacking fly by attack. Is there a reason? How can a hawk even be some what good if he doesn't get fly by attack? I am very confused by this. Also if I am a ranger and take Boon companion, will that upgrade it to my normal level?

Hawks and other birds of prey generally don't use Fly-by attacks. Their dives and swoops from up high are more accurately charges. It would require a higher degree of tactical intelligence (i.e. stat boosts to Int) to act outside of instinct and rake on the fly-by rather than getting in there and fighting face to face.


EvilMinion wrote:
Ill_Made_Knight wrote:
How can a hawk even be some what good if he doesn't get fly by attack?

Fly by attack does NOT prevent attacks of opportunity... Giving it to your avian friend is just going to get him pasted when he tries to use it.

3.5 used to have a followup feat that made it work like spring attack, but not sure if that feat made it to Pathfinder.

Spring Attack should work with Flyby Attack to prevent attacks of opportunity, but getting Spring Attack is pretty Feat intensive. If you want to go that route, I'd try talking to your GM to see if the two of you can come up with some custom feats your Hawk companion can take. From a balance perspective, there shouldn't be too many complaints as you've already noted that your companion is not one of the more powerful options.


Necroluth wrote:
Ill_Made_Knight wrote:
If I choose a bird as my animal companion, it says I can choose a number of feats, but they are lacking fly by attack. Is there a reason? How can a hawk even be some what good if he doesn't get fly by attack? I am very confused by this. Also if I am a ranger and take Boon companion, will that upgrade it to my normal level?
Hawks and other birds of prey generally don't use Fly-by attacks. Their dives and swoops from up high are more accurately charges. It would require a higher degree of tactical intelligence (i.e. stat boosts to Int) to act outside of instinct and rake on the fly-by rather than getting in there and fighting face to face.

You and the game designers have never pissed off a hawk guarding its nest before have ya. They sure do a great fly by attack in nature..lol

RANT:

Remember this is a game, it in no way is intended to emulate any thing in real life,. It in know way is it designed to emulate any thing in fantasy novels. It is a fantasy board game! The rules do not follow common sense. The rules do not follow any know language. Please stop trying to use logic, and or personal experience with game rules it will only hurt your head.

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