I'm new to PF (and PFS) and have questions about Draconic Bloodrager, Kensai, and PFS legality (APs)

[Mykinius]

Hi alls! I'm new to Pathfinder (but not DnD), and I'm loving the variety of character options in this system. As I'm brainstorming fun character concepts, I've found some fun combos that might or might not function correctly.

1) As a Bloodrager of the draconic bloodline, could I focus on using the granted claw natural weapons exclusively? They're granted by a bloodline power, but how permanent they are is difficult to ascertain. At the end of page 16 of the ACG, it says:

Quote:

Unless otherwise specified, he gains the effects of his bloodline powers only while in bloodrage; once the bloodrage ends, all powers from his bloodline immediately cease and any physical changes the bloodrager underwent revert, restoring him to normal.

But oddly enough, the wording for this Claws (Su) draconic bloodline power at the top of page 20 just says "At 1st level, you grow claws." and then goes on to describe the claws' mechanics as weapons. In stark contrast, the abyssal Claws (Su) bloodline power says "At 1st level, you grow claws while bloodraging."

Similarly, the description for the draconic bloodline completely lacks anything saying something like "when/while you bloodrage" until its 12th-level power. Every other bloodline includes some variation of "when/while you bloodrage" in its main description and/or "Bloodline Powers" description.

As a result, it seems to me that (by RAW), a character grows claws as soon as he takes his first level of draconic bloodrager. Its "At 1st level, you grow claws." clause takes priority over page 16's Bloodrager Bloodlines description thanks to its handy inclusion of "unless otherwise specified" (and this seems to otherwise specify).

2) For the Kensai archetype for Magus, can the chosen weapon be a chakram? The archetype specifies "a single martial or exotic melee weapon of his choice," but chakrams have the benefit "you can wield the chakram as a melee weapon..." I ask this because I'd like to try a chakram-slinging Kensai / Card Caster (Card Caster would let me use the Magus class features with a chakram instead of in melee).

3) I was told that to use any non-core character options in PFS, you need to own the book or the PDF, and the option has to be listed as PFS-legal on the Additional Resources List. [url=http://www.d20pfsrd.com/magic/all-spells/s/summon-monster]Summon Monster 1[/url seems to have an alternative (and approved on the Additional Resources page) summoning option of "Bloody Human Skeleton" from Adventure Path #47. Does this mean I can summon them instead of the normal dog/eagle/whatever as long as I bring a watermarked PDF of AP47?

Looking forward to some organized RPGing :D

[Chris O'Reilly]

If you are playing PFS the usual line is to expect table variation. It is not wise to build a character concept around an edge interpretation of something as you run the risk of having your character concept shut down at each table. There are also usually limited time slots and having to constantly make a case for everything your character does is likely to impede play. Personal thoughts on your specific questions:
1) If the ability specified that you got the claws permanently that would override the clause that abilities end when your blood rage ends. Since they specify nothing they default to ending when the blood rage does
2) A chakram is listed on the ranged weapon chart and is therefore a ranged weapon. Pretty much anything can be used as an improvised melee weapon, the chakram has much reduced penalties for doing so but is still not a melee weapon
3) This one actually has developer clarification if you want to look it up. Clerics and clerics only of the respective gods can use the alternate summoning rules. I don't know offhand what god it is that grants that particular summons but yes the additional resource lists the alternate summoning as allowed.

[Chess Pwn]

1)Your claws don't specify they stay past raging, so you go to default which is that they last only while bloodraging from the part you quoted.

[Mykinius]

Thanks, Chris and Chess!