This lists the animal's total skill ranks. Animal companions can assign skill ranks to any skill listed under Animal Skills. If an animal companion increases its Intelligence to 10 or higher, it gains bonus skill ranks as normal.
What is "as normal"? The only point of comparison I can find is what is normal for eidolons (which seem to follow the same progression, besides evolutions and maximum attacks):
This lists the eidolon’s total skill ranks. An eidolon can assign skill ranks to any skill, but it must possess the appropriate appendages to use some skills. Eidolons with Intelligence scores above the base value modify these totals as normal (an eidolon receives a number of skill ranks equal to 6 + its Intelligence modifier per HD).
I'm thinking about making a character with an intelligent animal companion for RP purposes mostly (Human Eye for Talent into intelligence, druid and 1 level dip into oracle with Bonded Mount nature mystery for 6 base int). It'd be at 8 intelligence at level 1 or 2, and 10 intelligence by level 8. Was just wondering exactly how many skills the animal would end up with.
Animals get 2 + Intelligence modifier (minimum 1) per HD. Which means that until they reach Intelligence 10 they got 1 point per HD.
Greetings, fellow travellers.
More details can be found in the table describing the AC under the druid class. There you can see, that the skill point progression is indeed following the HD progression.
Remember to retroactively allocate skill points, if the AC's Int ever rises above 9.
Ruyan.
I think its referring to bonus skill ranks from the Intelligence modifier. Otherwise Animal Companions follow the chart in the Druid section for skill ranks.
Drejk, where do you see that they get 2 per hit dice? Is that just how it's supposed to be interpreted?
Edit: I've read through the animal companion information a couple times now and don't seem to see any indication of exactly the number of skill points per hit dice they get. If you could quote or link to something that clears it up would be preferable I just want to make sure I understand where the rules exactly are and why it works that way.
Drejk, where do you see that they get 2 per hit dice? Is that just how it's supposed to be interpreted?
Bestiary creature type section. Animals get 2+ Int modifier per HD, which, 99% of time, equates to 1 skill point per HD as animals have Intelligence score of 1-2, barring very exceptional circumstances (i.e. tweaking with animal companion - I do not recall any other circumstances that would allow animal to get higher Intelligence score... Unless someone would wish for increased Intelligence of his non-animal companion pet...).
Perfect! Thank you sir!