Ok, I did a search and read what written. I am curious on what the clawblades function is for. They add to a natural attack but because the attack is now covered by a crafted item they now are no longer natural attacks for everything that works off natural attacks?
When I read the section, I just thought it was a way for a race to make natural attacks more effective since would be able to get enchantments. It changed weapon type from natural weapon to light slashing. So does this mean that I need different feats for it? Or does it mean that still works as natural attacks but different damage? Sort of like special ammunition works for ranged weapons?
Do the clawblades enhance the claws or replace the claws? Does this mean monks can use the claws but lose unless using the claws for single attacks when needing to overcome DR that it is worthless? What about a ranger that goes natural weapon combat style? The ranger puts on the clawblades and loses the benefits? So does this mean it is better to be a two weapon fighting build to really enjoy using clawblades?
I like the idea of the clawblades. They seem like really fun where they don't add much more than being able to add magic to natural weapons. I don't know how to build with them. It seems like they don't occupy the hand so does that mean abilities that require a free hand is allowed when the hand has clawblades? A set on each hand with different enchantments would allow a magus to switch which hand was used each round? Do you have to buy new sets if you take a feat which increases the damage the claws do?
I thought the only reason the weapon type change was to say that the damage was different. Does this mean that putting on clawblades mean you no longer get hurt by creatures that do damage if you hit it with a natural weapon or unarmed attack? I am just having issues with this all as what seems to be logical one step is wrong the next.
So as a summary:
1. Were clawblades meant to enhance a natural attack or change it a crafted weapon attack?
2. What feats are legal to use with clawblades? Does one take natural weapon feats or other feats because the natural weapon feats don't work.?
3. Are the hands considered to be empty?
4. I do not understand why putting metal on claws suddenly means I have to fight as using 2 weapon fighting over getting my 2 claws. What did the blades do the paws?
Use a TWF build for the clawblades. Clawblades allow catfolk to enhance their claw attacks and keep them relevant throughout an adventuring career. Using them makes natural claw attacks into light slashing "manufactured" weapons.
Improved natural attack (claw), weapon focus (claw), weapon spec (claw), two weapon fighting (and chain), etc. Not sure what other feats you would be looking at.
Hands would be considered free.
Does it really matter? Mechanically the rules say the use of a manufactured item enhanced claw attack is now a manufactured attack. A natural weapon by definition is an attack without a weapon. Clawblades are a weapon. Therefore the claw attack is no longer a natural attack when made with a clawblade.
If you don't want to use clawblades and lose the natural weapon full attack action, buy an amulet of mighty fists. It will allow you to enhance all your natural attacks and keep the primary/secondary attack action.
You could also equip just one hand with clawblades, allowing you to make iterative attacks without TWF penalties, plus a natural claw attack (at -5 secondary) with your other hand.
With proper feats, Humans and Aasimar can wield Clawblades too.
Well that is a given, but doesn't have anything to do with the OP's questions.
Ok, been sick and gone for the weekend. I see what the answers point to. It appears that it works like this.
1. No longer natural so other than feats that improve the claw damage then feats do not affect claws with clawblades.
2. So can use the feats that up damage and then use feats that work on light weapons. So would need Weapon Focus (Clawblades) over Weapon Focus (Claws)
3. So a caster could be armed and threatening at all times with a decent attack.
4. Do not understand as it makes no sense to me but will accept that as written then users of clawblades no longer can swipe with their claws because there is metal on them now and are wielding weapons that they don't understand how to use in a natural way because swiping with claws is different than swiping with claws that have clawblades attached.
Thank you for the responses.
For 2) weapon focus (claw) should still be the one you'd take. Claw blades alter the claw attack, don't change it into something else completely technically. It is still a "claw" attack, just with different properties than normal.
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It basically makes one set of claws masterwork (note the +1 bonus to attack and the just over 300 gp price tag). If only other types of attacks could get similar treatment (like the monk's unarmed strike).
I've asked similar questions in the Advanced Race Guide errata thread. I'm not sure if Improved Natural Attack (claw) would still work, since it's no longer a natural attack, not to mention the sharp claws manifestation of the Catfolk Exemplar feat. A lot of people are guessing that damage boosting feats would still work, which is bully, but I'd still want an official weigh-in on that.
Claw blades don't have a damage entry (away from book, going from memory) and use the natural weapon claw damage but alter the classification/stats (no longer natural weapon, slashing). So feats that improved the natural attack do so, basically figure out the claw damage, then claw blades alter the attack. Couldn't say if that is the intent but that is how it is written out.