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Can an Animal Companion activate magic items that they are wearing?
(Assuming they have an intelligence of at least 3)
Example, an Animal Companion wears a ring of Invisibility (via the Extra Item Slot feat). With an intelligence of at least 3, can it activate that ring of invisibility?
Edit: For vocal (activation word) requirements, lets say this AC also have a ring of Eloquence, and can therefore speak common.
I would say yes for most items, unless they require a command word.
Ring of Invisibility is command word activated so it could not used that ring. Now a GM could be nice and count barking as a word, but barking, while it is a form of communication, is not actually a word.
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If this is PFS, then no.
The problem with command words is that they have to be in a certain language an to speak them correctly would need being able to speak that language.
As long as everyone can say every command word I think it's problematic to say dogs can't.
I know a lot of words from a lot of languages that the usual American or European could not say without being trained I the language.
If the ability to speak is all that's necessary we'd first have to discuss whether dogs can speak with/to each others.
Edit: An example of words hard to speak are those using implosive consonants. It took me some time to learn to articulate them while studying African linguistics at university.
Nakka wa ker gi?
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Personally I would say no.
While a Dog with 3 intelligence is very intelligent for a Dog, it's still a Dog.
The Sidebar on Intelligent animals in Ultimate Campaign points out that even an animal intelligent enough to understand speech and given the ability to speak will generally not do so autonomously. Even when having the ability to use tools they are more inclined to use their natural abilities. (Example given in the book is a Gorilla is more inclined to use it's slam than it would be to use a sword even if it has the ability to do so). It's a very smart animal not a low-intelligence person.
Activating a magic item would require more complex thinking than a non-awakened animal would be capable of, even if it is a very smart one.
Personally I would say no.
While a Dog with 3 intelligence is very intelligent for a Dog, it's still a Dog.
The Sidebar on Intelligent animals in Ultimate Campaign points out that even an animal intelligent enough to understand speech and given the ability to speak will generally not do so autonomously. Even when having the ability to use tools they are more inclined to use their natural abilities. (Example given in the book is a Gorilla is more inclined to use it's slam than it would be to use a sword even if it has the ability to do so). It's a very smart animal not a low-intelligence person.
Activating a magic item would require more complex thinking than a non-awakened animal would be capable of, even if it is a very smart one.
If the companion can speak, teach it a trick to speak the command word when you tell it to.
Perform (DC 15) The animal performs a variety of simple tricks, such as sitting up, rolling over, roaring or barking, and so on.
Sounds entirely reasonable that 'roaring or barking' can be 'speaking' if the animal in question knows how to speak.
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As mentioned, what if the animal companion has this item?:
Ring of EloquenceSource Advanced Class Guide pg. 217
Aura faint divination CL 3rd
Slot ring; Price 3,500 gp; Weight —
Description
Fine etchings spell out the alphabets of four languages around the inside of this finely crafted silver band. The wearer gains the ability to speak and understand the four languages whose alphabets are inscribed on the ring. Normally the languages are Common, Dwarven, Elven, and Gnome. Less often, such rings are attuned to Giant, Goblin, Orc, and Undercommon, and rings with different sets of languages might also exist. The wearer retains the ability to speak in these languages even if she assumes a form normally unable to do so (such as a druid wild shaped into a wolf).The ring also makes it easier for the wearer to find the correct words to express herself, granting a +2 competence bonus on Bluff, Diplomacy, Intimidate, and Perform (oratory) checks. Also, if the wearer is deafened and attempts to cast a spell with a verbal component, the chance of spell failure is reduced to 10%.
And therefore can speak a language. Would the animal companion then be able to activate other magical items that requires activation?
Asking this for a homebrew game I'm gming. While this means I can easily house rule on this matter, I would like to know how this would normally work.
I believe the official answer in this case is "GM discretion", actually.
Unless it is PFS (which is also a great indication of RAI), in which case it is a No. The FAQ fairly plainly states Animal Companions weren't intended to have the capacity.
For non pfs, you could put a ring of eloquence on the critter and make the command word something in one of those languages.
Or in a language thats easy for the critter to speak (like draconic for a dinosaur)
Animal companions with an Intelligence of 3 or higher can select any feat they are physically capable of using.
Can I improve my companion’s Intelligence to 3 or higher and give it weapon feats?
No. An Intelligence of 3 does not grant animals sentience, the ability to use weapons or tools, speak a language (though they may understand one with a rank in Linguistics; this does not grant literacy), or activate magic devices.
I'm not sure how clearly PFS should be read as an indication of RAI. This PFS FAQ seems to contradict the Animal Feats rule in the CRB. There are a few animal companion types, especially apes, where it would be very hard to argue that they were not physically capable of using some such feats and as such the PFS FAQ must be seen as a PFS-specific alteration of the rule rather than a general clarification of how the rules should work.
Animal companions with an Intelligence of 3 or higher can select any feat they are physically capable of using.I'm not sure how clearly PFS should be read as an indication of RAI. This PFS FAQ seems to contradict the Animal Feats rule in the CRB. There are a few animal companion types, especially apes, where it would be very hard to argue that they were not physically capable of using some such feats and as such the PFS FAQ must be seen as a PFS-specific alteration of the rule rather than a general clarification of how the rules should work.Can I improve my companion’s Intelligence to 3 or higher and give it weapon feats?
No. An Intelligence of 3 does not grant animals sentience, the ability to use weapons or tools, speak a language (though they may understand one with a rank in Linguistics; this does not grant literacy), or activate magic devices.
The only thing that might be "contradictory" out of the entire AC section, is intelligent apes possibly using a weapon (when commanded to, because they would still want to use slam attacks) - paraphrased. And quite frankly that is if the GM allows it to happen. Animal companions are still lumped into the "non sentient" group further above in the write up (d20pfsrd - animal companions).
If you GM allows you to do it, because it is hard to justify making it smarter, more intuitive, more self aware. They can run it however they want. That doesn't mean it was intended to be that way, just that the rules do allow for something beyond what they intended to happen. As always Rule 0.