|
I've been debating with my GM about the rules of animal companions and I wanted to get outside/fresh opinions. (this is for a PFS game)
So the first one is the nature of animal companions and their feats. Hunters gain Outflank as a class feature and automatically share it with their AnC. I argue that since a feat would likely indicate time invested in training an AnC would know how to flank naturally without having to teach them the flank trick. GM says no.
Second is about AnC and their ability to understand speech after they get 3 INT and get a rank in linguistics. Since they can now understand a full language does that eliminate the need for most tricks in the game? I.E. it knows and can understand the word "flank" that would seemingly eliminate the need for the trick flank.
Even if the linguistics skill doesn't open up automatic flanking... there are plenty of other reasons why your AC might flank.
Wolves and lions, for example, are pack predators. If they view you as their pack mate.... well, you can argue that they instinctually move to flank.
Also, the INT 3 does provide at least very basic problem solving (the example Paizo gave would be to burst out the window of a burning building). It could very well decide to flank without being told to (which can be tricky, since ACs are often under GM control, to some extent- it is a trust thing)
RAW he still has to know the flank trick. In home games I dont bother with the trick since most animal know how naturally double team another creature. I have even seen puppies do it while playing.
Int 3 does not give mean you can ignore handle animal. I made this mistake once as a player. Int 3 makes the animal more intelligent than normal but does not give it "human intellect" like the awaken spell does. It is just a very smart animal.
There is a blog on it here.
The Handle Animal skill functions similarly no matter how intelligent an animal becomes. A character must still make Handle Animal checks to train his animal and get him to perform the appropriate tasks.
|
If you don't want to spend a move action and attempt a DC 25 Handle Animal check, you'll need the Flank trick (which shouldn't be a problem if its Int is above 2).
Regarding Animal Companions with an Int of 3+, You needn't look further than the FAQ.
raising an animal companion’s Intelligence to 3 or higher does not eliminate the need to make Handle Animal checks to direct its actions
| 1 person marked this as a favorite. |
here are loads of goodies about Animal Companions. I rely on it a lot.
Just remember(anyone reading that link) that some of those are only PFS rules.
I did not see any PFS rules that were more permissive than the normal rules, but in case I missed one it might lead to an annoyed GM having to explain why PFS rule X is not an official rule.
Also if a GM is using an animal companion it will help avoid rules arguments if the group has agreed to no houserules, so they know the GM is not breaking the social contract of the group.
I responded with a PFS link because the OP was having a disagreement with a PFS GM.
I completely forgot about that. For some reason I started thinking it was a home game.