Heirloom Weapon for Summoner

[Rook Darklyth]

Hello,

I am building a PFS gnome summoner and I want to be able to use a lance while riding my Eidolon. Summoners only have simple weapon training but could I take the heirloom weapon trait to gain proficiency with the lance? If there's another way I would love to know, tho I prefer not to use feats as I need quiet a bit of them but if that's the only option it's the only option.

Thanks for the help!

[Adam Tomczak]

Heirloom weapon has gone through some eratta to it since it was first brought about. Currently it reads:

You carry a non-masterwork simple or martial weapon that has been passed down from generation to generation in your family.

*Benefit: When you select this trait, choose one of the following benefits:

proficiency with that specific weapon
a +1 trait bonus on attacks of opportunity with that specific weapon
a +2 trait bonus on one kind of combat maneuver when using that specific weapon.

Note: You pay the standard gp cost for the weapon.

So, you'd get lance proficiency, but only with the basic, non-magical, non-masterwork lance that is your heirloom weapon. You might be able to upgrade it further with use of the Masterwork Transformation spell, and from there magical enhancements, but if something happens to that lance, you're basically out of luck.

[Nebten]

Heirloom Weapon is a trait, not a feat. Another way is to take a dip in class that is proficient in all martial weapons. But a trait is the smallest price you would have to pay to gain the ability right away.

[Raymond Lambert]

Did the same thing myself. Last I researched, you may have up to one item at a time in PFS with Masterwork Transfermation spell on it. If you then upgrade it from MW to Magic, it no longer takes that slot of 1 MWT spell item, so you could then use the spell on another item.

It is cheaper to buy a new MW item than pay the price of the reg item, spell casting service, and material cost of the spell but worth it in the case of getting discounted proficientcy through the trait and upgrading from there. Just not worth doing it for several items. Not unless the story is so important to your background that you carry your father's sword, uncle's shield, mother's armor, cousin's bow, ext.

[SCPRedMage]

I'd say the 60gp is worth it for proficiency with the thing, without having to spend a feat or take a dip into another class.

[Raymond Lambert]

Agreed, it is so much better than the cost of a feat or a level dip. Worth it for the Heirloom weapon that is. Just not worth it for later items.

[SCPRedMage]

Raymond Lambert wrote:

Agreed, it is so much better than the cost of a feat or a level dip. Worth it for the Heirloom weapon that is. Just not worth it for later items.

Well, that depends on the item; if for some reason you couldn't spring for the masterwork version when you originally bought it, it makes sense, so long as it's worth 120+gp base value.

In other words, there's a point where selling the item and buying a masterwork version will cost more than paying the 60gp (plus material component cost).

Of course, that all goes out the window if you, or a party member, can cast the spell yourselves...