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I came across the spell so named in the subject title (Anthropomorphic Animal), and I was wondering if animal companions are valid targets of this spell? Does that mean I can have a humanoid Raptor companion dressed in a tuxedo, trained to do menial tasks such as shining my shoes, and quite possibly be proficient with exotic weapons like a revolver or flintlock-pistol?
Is there ANYTHING in the above statement that CANNOT be done by the book (whether or not this is ethical for a druid, ranger, cavalier, or paladin to do to his/her animal companion is not a valid aspect of this argument)?
You'd need to increase the intellegence of the companion to teach it the feats but yes it could be done.
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I came across the spell so named in the subject title (Anthropomorphic Animal), and I was wondering if animal companions are valid targets of this spell? Does that mean I can have a humanoid Raptor companion dressed in a tuxedo, trained to do menial tasks such as shining my shoes, and quite possibly be proficient with exotic weapons like a revolver or flintlock-pistol?
Is there ANYTHING in the above statement that CANNOT be done by the book (whether or not this is ethical for a druid, ranger, cavalier, or paladin to do to his/her animal companion is not a valid aspect of this argument)?
Probably the most awesome Raptor in existence. I'd allow it, and RAW supports it.
Nope check again Lazer devs have confirmed animal companion int 3 or greater does not equal anything elses int 3 or greater.
They have ruled that an animal companion doesnt change type still requires handle animal checks and a vast number of other things that would be differnt if it were not a companion
IF it raises it's intelligence to 3, the creature becomes it's own being and is no longer your bonded pet.@Bertious
Well, the spell itself increases its intelligence to 3, so I don't think that will be a problem. It can even speak a single language (not sure how eloquent it will be, however).
The rules for animal companions allow the PC to increase one of its attributes every few levels. Are you saying that if you raide its intelligence that it is no longer you animal companion?
If so, could you provide a reference?
IF it raises it's intelligence to 3, the creature becomes it's own being and is no longer your bonded pet.
Would you mind giving the source rules for that statement?
I've been using my attribute increase on animal companions for a long time to give them 3 INT for feat purposes.
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I came across the spell so named in the subject title (Anthropomorphic Animal), and I was wondering if animal companions are valid targets of this spell? Does that mean I can have a humanoid Raptor companion dressed in a tuxedo, trained to do menial tasks such as shining my shoes, and quite possibly be proficient with exotic weapons like a revolver or flintlock-pistol?
Is there ANYTHING in the above statement that CANNOT be done by the book (whether or not this is ethical for a druid, ranger, cavalier, or paladin to do to his/her animal companion is not a valid aspect of this argument)?
Well you can but why would you want to nerf your companion so massively?
Remember, this spell strips away all his natural attacks and the special abilities that go with them (bye bye Pounce) as well as it's ability to even make an unarmed attack, all movement types except it's land speed (bye bye flight, burrow, climb, sprint, etc) as well as strip it of the proficiency with any manufactured weapon (bye bye apes wielding hammers before the spell is used).
Worse then all that, to get it to do what you are trying to do you'll need to adventure with it like this until you gain another level (or two in case it doesn't get a feat when it levels up) to earn a feat to spend on learning to use a weapon again.
The spell specifically strips them of all skill with manufactured weapons when it's cast so any feats you spent before that to learn are lost.
This is not a beneficial spell to cast on your friend, but it's a great one to cast on your enemies friend.
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I came across the spell so named in the subject title (Anthropomorphic Animal), and I was wondering if animal companions are valid targets of this spell? Does that mean I can have a humanoid Raptor companion dressed in a tuxedo, trained to do menial tasks such as shining my shoes, and quite possibly be proficient with exotic weapons like a revolver or flintlock-pistol?
Is there ANYTHING in the above statement that CANNOT be done by the book (whether or not this is ethical for a druid, ranger, cavalier, or paladin to do to his/her animal companion is not a valid aspect of this argument)?
Well you can but why would you want to nerf your companion so massively?
Remember, this spell strips away all his natural attacks and the special abilities that go with them (bye bye Pounce) as well as it's ability to even make an unarmed attack, all movement types except it's land speed (bye bye flight, burrow, climb, sprint, etc) as well as strip it of the proficiency with any manufactured weapon (bye bye apes wielding hammers before the spell is used).
Worse then all that, to get it to do what you are trying to do you'll need to adventure with it like this until you gain another level (or two in case it doesn't get a feat when it levels up) to earn a feat to spend on learning to use a weapon again.
The spell specifically strips them of all skill with manufactured weapons when it's cast so any feats you spent before that to learn are lost.This is not a beneficial spell to cast on your friend, but it's a great one to cast on your enemies friend.
Despite the flaw in your argument that it would lose pounce (Pounce isn't ability tied to a natural attack, whereas Grab or Rake is), an animal companion can always take ANY feat it meets the prerequisites for, but it may not be able to UTILIZE it:
Feats: This is the total number of feats possessed by an animal companion. Animal companions should select their feats from those listed under Animal Feats. Animal companions can select other feats, although they are unable to utilize some feats (such as Martial Weapon Proficiency). Note that animal companions cannot select a feat with a requirement of base attack bonus +1 until they gain their second feat at 3 Hit Dice.
Of course this all changes with the spell:
You transform the touched animal into a bipedal hybrid of its original form with a humanoid form, similar to how a lycanthrope's hybrid form is a mix of a humanoid and animal form. The animal's size, type, and ability scores do not change. It loses its natural attacks except for bite (if it had one as an animal), all types of movement other than its land speed, and special attacks that rely on its natural attacks. One pair of its limbs is able to manipulate objects and weapons as well as human hands do; limbless animals like snakes temporarily grow a pair of arms. The creature's Intelligence increases to 3, and it gains the ability to speak one language you know.It is not considered proficient in any manufactured weapons. It can attack with unarmed strikes, dealing unarmed strike damage for a creature of its size (unless it has a bite attack, which is a natural attack).
Anthropomorphic animal can be made permanent with a permanency spell cast by a caster of 11th level or higher at a cost of 7,500 gp.
As far as I see it, the intent of the bolded text is to say that while an anthropomorphized animal may be able to manipulate weapons, the spell itself doesn't GRANT any proficiencies. It doesn't take feats away.
In summary, I see no reason that an anthro AC with the proficiency feats already there can't take advantage of such proficiencies.
Another thing that's interesting to note:
Share Spells (Ex): The druid may cast a spell with a target of “You” on her animal companion (as a spell with a range of touch) instead of on herself.A druid may cast spells on her animal companion even if the spells normally do not affect creatures of the companion's type (animal). Spells cast in this way must come from a class that grants an animal companion. This ability does not allow the animal to share abilities that are not spells, even if they function like spells.
Not sure if this was the intent or not, but I think it's safe to say that this little idea can work on vermin companions as well. Who wants a anthro leech or scorpion?
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I came across the spell so named in the subject title (Anthropomorphic Animal), and I was wondering if animal companions are valid targets of this spell? Does that mean I can have a humanoid Raptor companion dressed in a tuxedo, trained to do menial tasks such as shining my shoes, and quite possibly be proficient with exotic weapons like a revolver or flintlock-pistol?
Is there ANYTHING in the above statement that CANNOT be done by the book (whether or not this is ethical for a druid, ranger, cavalier, or paladin to do to his/her animal companion is not a valid aspect of this argument)?
Well you can but why would you want to nerf your companion so massively?
Remember, this spell strips away all his natural attacks and the special abilities that go with them (bye bye Pounce) as well as it's ability to even make an unarmed attack, all movement types except it's land speed (bye bye flight, burrow, climb, sprint, etc) as well as strip it of the proficiency with any manufactured weapon (bye bye apes wielding hammers before the spell is used).
Worse then all that, to get it to do what you are trying to do you'll need to adventure with it like this until you gain another level (or two in case it doesn't get a feat when it levels up) to earn a feat to spend on learning to use a weapon again.
The spell specifically strips them of all skill with manufactured weapons when it's cast so any feats you spent before that to learn are lost.This is not a beneficial spell to cast on your friend, but it's a great one to cast on your enemies friend.
The question isn't why does he want to, it's can it be done? Yes, I do believe it can. And it might just be what he wants to do.
Conceivably, there's nothing saying he cant have this done at level 1 and then start leveling up from there with his best bud Captain Chompers. At later levels you could even make a case for finding a new animal in the wild, casting the spell, making it permanent, and then binding him into a companion through the 24 hour ritual.
Of course, That's a tad bit of GM allowances involved, but not against RAW. So you could build him up the way you want by training him him from level 1. Though as a GM I'd actually be OK with allowing him to do this at level 1, granted if they somehow had a way to pay off, or owe, a wizard high enough level to cast permanency on it.
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The OP is probably trying to make a wandcaster out of it.
I'll be honest, that sounds like a horrible idea, given the AC preferences I had in mind. UMD is not a class skill for an AC, most animals have a Charisma below 10, and can only get 16 ranks in a given skill at maximum. Doesn't sound like the most reliable UMD creature. You'd have to invest a lot of magic items and buffs to increase that potential to something worthwhile. DOES sound fun, though.
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I came across the spell so named in the subject title (Anthropomorphic Animal), and I was wondering if animal companions are valid targets of this spell? Does that mean I can have a humanoid Raptor companion dressed in a tuxedo, trained to do menial tasks such as shining my shoes, and quite possibly be proficient with exotic weapons like a revolver or flintlock-pistol?
Is there ANYTHING in the above statement that CANNOT be done by the book (whether or not this is ethical for a druid, ranger, cavalier, or paladin to do to his/her animal companion is not a valid aspect of this argument)?
Well you can but why would you want to nerf your companion so massively?
Remember, this spell strips away all his natural attacks and the special abilities that go with them (bye bye Pounce) as well as it's ability to even make an unarmed attack, all movement types except it's land speed (bye bye flight, burrow, climb, sprint, etc) as well as strip it of the proficiency with any manufactured weapon (bye bye apes wielding hammers before the spell is used).
Worse then all that, to get it to do what you are trying to do you'll need to adventure with it like this until you gain another level (or two in case it doesn't get a feat when it levels up) to earn a feat to spend on learning to use a weapon again.
The spell specifically strips them of all skill with manufactured weapons when it's cast so any feats you spent before that to learn are lost.This is not a beneficial spell to cast on your friend, but it's a great one to cast on your enemies friend.
Despite the flaw in your argument that it would lose pounce (Pounce isn't ability tied to a natural attack, whereas Grab or Rake is), an animal companion can always take ANY feat it meets the prerequisites for, but it may not be able to UTILIZE it:
Feats: This is the total number of feats possessed by an animal companion. Animal companions should select their feats from those listed...
Pounce is a special attack this creature can only use with it's natural attacks, since by design the base form cannot use any other weapon. If your goal is to turn it humanoid, equip it with some weapon and have a high strength companion wielding a potent magic weapon and pouncing around the battlefield you can understand that most GM;s aren't going to like it.
As for the feats question here's the line from the spell:
It is not considered proficient in any manufactured weapons.
If it was proficient beforehand it is now no longer considered proficient. If they wanted it to say the spell doesn't grant proficiency then it would say that. This line specifically states the target is not proficient with weapons after it's cast.
Big difference.Everyone assumes this spell is a beneficial spell but the Fort save and spell resistance really show how this is more of an aggressive attack spell you use on your opponents Animals. Strip em of all their combat abilities and give them the ability to talk and understand you. THEN interrogate them. As stupid as an int 3 creatures is you can get all the info they have with no chance of deception.
Finally as for the share spells line, as written it only allows you to share spells with your companion if it is considered type=Animal. If you want to use it on a leech you'll need to take the Vermin Heart feat before you can use it.
Anyway, your interpretation of how this spell works may or may not fly with your GM but since we don't know him we can only go by the RAW interpretation of the spell.
That's one of the reasons we have both an advice group (for questions on ideas on how to do what you want) and a Rules group to discuss exactly how the rules say things work.
Here in the Rules group RAW is king and by Raw this spell strips your companion of 90% of what makes him useful.
The Anthropomorphic Animal spell does not change the creature's type, so it looks as though you can cast it on a druid's animal companion and have it remain an animal companion. However, I think you would get better results by simply applying the every 4th hit die ability score increase to intelligence -- giving up natural attacks in exchange for hands to manipulate objects with is not a favorable trade for most animal companions.
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Pounce is a special attack this creature can only use with it's natural attacks, since by design the base form cannot use any other weapon. If your goal is to turn it humanoid, equip it with some weapon and have a high strength companion wielding a potent magic weapon and pouncing around the battlefield you can understand that most GM;s aren't going to like it.
Okay, I'll bite.
Pounce (Ex) When a creature with this special attack makes a charge, it can make a full attack (including rake attacks if the creature also has the rake ability).
By RAW, a creature with pounce can make a full attack on a charge. Nothing specifies this is only with natural attacks. By design, you may very well be correct in the sense that this was intended to only be used with natural weapons.
Share Spells (Ex): The druid may cast a spell with a target of “You” on her animal companion (as a spell with a range of touch) instead of on herself.A druid may cast spells on her animal companion even if the spells normally do not affect creatures of the companion's type (animal). Spells cast in this way must come from a class that grants an animal companion. This ability does not allow the animal to share abilities that are not spells, even if they function like spells.
By RAW, the bolded item really doesn't imply anything. Could it be saying that all animal companions, whether vermin or animal, are considered the animal type? Perhaps this wording was during a time when the only type of animal companions were animals, and what it's saying is that an animal companion, regardless of type. Or perhaps I can even cast spells on an animal companion that were intended for constructs, undead, vermin, or any humanoid (provided it's on the druid's spell list).
Sometimes RAW isn't good enough, because you can't even understand what a rule is trying to say, much less what it's designed for. I'm sure that's another point of focus on this forum section, correct?
As for me, I just want a Raptor Man live-action figure with a revolver and butler skills so incredible, he'd be able to serve drinks while the party rests for the night.
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I came across the spell so named in the subject title (Anthropomorphic Animal), and I was wondering if animal companions are valid targets of this spell? Does that mean I can have a humanoid Raptor companion dressed in a tuxedo, trained to do menial tasks such as shining my shoes, and quite possibly be proficient with exotic weapons like a revolver or flintlock-pistol?
Is there ANYTHING in the above statement that CANNOT be done by the book (whether or not this is ethical for a druid, ranger, cavalier, or paladin to do to his/her animal companion is not a valid aspect of this argument)?
Anthropomorphic Animal is a temporary spell, so I wouldn't see any problem with casting it on an animal companion.
However, it can also be made permanent with a Permanency spell. It that happened, I would rule that just as an animal who had the Awaken spell cast on them, the anthropomorphized animal could no longer serve as your animal companion.
You could, however, take it as a cohort under the Leadership feat.
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I wouldn't rob a Druid of their animal companion just because they depowered it for flavor.
I agree totally with blood here. He traded a lot of animal "stuff" for Forest Gump with a Raptor Head. He'll listen to commands, and even be able to think outside the box a tad, but not a hole heck of a lot has really changed other than he now qualifies for those "exotic" feats us humanoids can get. Which isn't all that game breaking in the end.
Maybe the OP's character is a follower of Lamashtu, and simply desires a lover.
I will have to mention this one to my GM. Lamashtu is the big bad of our campaign, and this would really squick out my fellow players.
If you cast this on your animal companion, and it becomes humanoid in shape, do all of it's item slots become available for use? Like armor, bracers, rings, etc?
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If you cast this on your animal companion, and it becomes humanoid in shape, do all of it's item slots become available for use? Like armor, bracers, rings, etc?
I don't know, what is an animal companion capable of equipping in the first place? Barding, at least (glamer barding to look like tuxedo).
I would give him a greased-down, slicked-back wig and name him 'Dapper Dan'.
Actually, it would be way more dumb than Forrest Gump.
Like, barely above a dog dumb.
That carries with it some funny, yet disturbing implications. Take into consideration that this anthro AC is just barely sentient (by humanoid standards), but its instincts and mannerisms are in no way curbed. It would act exactly like its normal counterparts in almost every way.... with a mostly humanoid body *shudders*.