Hello,
I have just became a druid of 3rd level and my lion with Bodyguard companion archetype link gained Tenacios Guardian ability:
At 3rd level, a bodyguard can always act in a surprise round (though it remains flat-footed until it acts). As long as its master is adjacent, a bodyguard remains conscious (though it becomes staggered) when its hit points fall below 0. While below 0 hit points, the bodyguard loses 1 hit point per round but gains a +2 morale bonus on attack rolls, saving throws, and skill checks, dying only if its hit points reach a negative total equal to its Constitution score plus its master's class level.
This ability replaces evasion.
The issue is that I read it that if I'm adjacent to it my companion:
-remains conscious- staggered if hit points are bellow 0 and loses -1 every round-while bellow 0 hit points gains +2 on attack rolls, saving throws, and skill checks
-dies only when its hit points reach a negative total equal to its Constitution score plus my class level
if I'm not adjacent to it:
- falls unconscious if hit points are bellow 0
-while bellow 0 hit points gains +2 on attack rolls, saving throws, and skill checks (which makes it useless unless it has diehard feat)
-dies only when its hit points reach a negative total equal to its Constitution score plus my class level
And my GM reads it that my companion gains all these nice thingies only if I'm adjacent.
I believe I'm correct on this one because at 15th level it gains Greater Tenacity:
At 15th level, a bodyguard with fewer than 0 hit points gains a +4 morale bonus on attack rolls, saving throws, and skill checks; immunity to fear effects; and temporary hit points equal to its master's class level (maximum 20). It dies only if its hit points reach a negative total equal to twice its Constitution score + its master's class level.
and as far as I understand then at 15th level Greater Tenacity upgrades Tenacious Guardian and it speaks nothing of me being adjacent for it to function.
So what's your take on it? Any help will be appreciated.
Anyone?
Per the text, you are correct. However, I would side with your GM when it comes to interpreting an intended meaning. There's not much point in getting a +2 bonus to various abilities, when all you can do is bleed to death anyway.
Per the text, you are correct. However, I would side with your GM when it comes to interpreting an intended meaning. There's not much point in getting a +2 bonus to various abilities, when all you can do is bleed to death anyway.
Thanks for answering. I was just thinking that it is meant to take Diehard feat with it and that there were nothing to substitute it out of animal companion's abilities.
But does being adjacent applies also at 15lvl (Greater tenacity)?
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I think this falls squarely into the "unclear. Expect table variation." category. Which means the GM definitely gets to decide without invoking Rule 0.
Yeah, you can make grammatical legalistic arguments one way or the other. But the rules aren't written at that level of precision. Nor should they be.