| MathNerd |
The stated example gives a 1/1hd eidolon, but between the two of them there is only one feat to be divided. Also, the large size evolution (given later) gives medium and small eidolons. The hinge is on the word 'divided' which does not necessarily mean evenly. (Nor is even possible at every odd level, and I need to do some calculations to see if it is even possible at all). It is possible to divide evenly at 5th level, and every 5 thereafter.
Regardless of the number of eidolons in the brood, each eidolon has the same base attack bonus and base saving throw bonuses, but the rest of the eidolons’ base statistics must be divided between the eidolons, including Hit Dice (minimum 1), skill points, number of feats, armor bonus, Str/Dex bonus, evolution pool (but see below), and maximum number of natural attacks.
The example given is a level 2 summoner, 1/1hd. However, it only has one feat and only one Eidolon would get it. Also, it later details two small eidolons and one large eidolon (Should they have the same HD, I don't think so, as certain creatures advance in HD they get bigger). One possibility I'm not sure most of you have considered, giving most of the abilites, hit dice, etc... to ONE eidolon, and only a few to the other. (Though, attacks would still have to be allocated, which would reduce the utility of the first.
(Suddenly, I want to make one small eidolon with 1 hit dice and +16 natural armor, and another huge eidolon with NO armor bonus and 15 hit dice).
When you think about it, splitting strength, armor, and hit points evenly in half cripples the Broodmaster so much at mid levels that it becomes inviable. It's twice as easy to hit and has half the hit points, that is far weaker than any CR-appropriate creature would be[each reduction Halves it's combat survivability], on all terms. However, dividing them unevenly is more viable.
The mental hangup is the mathematical definition of divide (most often used in D&D, divide your armor bonus by two if tiny[does that apply tho the base armor bonus, the enhancement and armor bonus combined, or... later]), vs. the linguistice divide, which means to separate into parts, which could be categories but need not be even. For instance, the two small one medium would have 4 attacks to split between them.
All the mechanics, only sacrificing hp for one eidolon, only summoning one eidolon, only looking through the eyes of one eidolon, in spite of being a brood master.
The discussion centers very heavily one the definition of the word divide.
Math Lingo vs. Plain English: Double Entendre
Has an entire paper on this, and a small snippet relevant to this conversation:
Correspondingly, "divide" means cut into pieces, possibly equal pieces. In math lingo, "divide" is the same as "multiply," in the sense that dividing by a number other than zero is the same as multiplying by some other number (its reciprocal).
Possibly equal, but not necessarily so, and not possibly so in this case.
http://paizo.com/pathfinderRPG/prd/gamemastering.html
Add up the XP values for each CR and then divide this total by the number of characters—each character earns an amount of XP equal to this number.
However, if the mathematical definition of 'divides' is intended, then the broodmaster directly contradicts it's-self by
http://paizo.com/pathfinderRPG/prd/ultimateMagic/spellcastingClassOptions/s ummoner.html
The broodmaster decides to give the first eidolon 4 skill points, one feat, a +1 armor bonus, a +1 bonus to Strength, 2 points from the evolution pool, and a maximum of two attacks. The remaining 4 skill points, +1 armor bonus, +1 bonus to Dexterity, and 2 points from the evolution pool go to the second eidolon, but it gains no feats and can have only one natural attack.
The uneven-ness looks to be out of necessary, but it says he 'decides to give'.
RAW and RAI, DM's of PFS, how do you rule?
| MathNerd |
Feel free to reformat/clean up as necessary as long as the core point is retained: Question: Is the broodmaster able to allocate/divide hit dice and abilities as he see's fit? (minimum 1, I would argue... except that the ability to have 8 small eidolons directly contradicts having a required attacks minimum, as one MUST have 0 attacks.)