Shaman Questions, Battle Animal and Spirit Animals

[Mir]

Can the Battle Ward hex affect more than one target at a time. The generic Ward hex says 'over one creature' while the Battle Ward hex doesn't say anything similar.

Does the spirit animal give a skill bonus as a Wizards Familiar does?

[MurphysParadox]

Ward and Battle Ward are different hexes and do not share any rules. By what Battle Ward says, there is no restriction to the battle ward on how many creatures it can affect, though it does have the "no more than once in 24 hours" bit. Whether or not Battle Ward is considered a 'ward' for the purpose of the Ward Hex's wording is generally up to the GM, but the game makes no attempt to create a classification of abilities called wards.

Yes, the spirit animal is a familiar with all the rules of a familiar except where noted in the Shaman class feature description. It doesn't comment on the skill bonus, so you do get that.

[Mir]

That's kinda where I was going with it but wanted some confirmation! Thanks.