So I just started a new game and I'm sitting on a Wolf Animal Companion with my Hunter. She has 2 Int as most Wolves do at first level.
According to the Animal Companion Entry animals can have skills in:
Acrobatics* (Dex), Climb* (Str), Escape Artist (Dex), Fly* (Dex), Intimidate (Cha), Perception* (Wis), Stealth* (Dex), Survival (Wis), and Swim* (Str).
This is pretty cut and dry, but what of untrained skills such as Sense Motive?
Can the Animal Companion still attempt a Sense Motive check despite having only 2 Intelligence? Does it recognize what is going on? Can it catch a Hunch (DC20) or detect an Enchantment (DC25 or DC15)? As the Wolf has a positive modifier (+1) this could happen more often than with most animals so I'd like to find an answer where appropriate.
And I suppose if the answer is no, what would be the breaking point for Intelligence for this to happen? My first guess would be Int 3 as that opens up more feats and makes them Sapient but I'm not sure.
Thanks in advance.
Sense Motive can always be used untrained. Depending on Wisdom some DCs may be unreachable, but it can always try.
Int 3 allows an AC to put skill ranks in any skill. Until then they can only purchase skills in the list you gave.
Yes, it is allowed to roll sense motive. There is no INT requirement to roll sense motive.
From a more logical standpoint, have you ever come home from a really bad day and your dog just cuddled up with you? Animals can absolutely tell the emotions of other creatures.
Also as a side note, an INT of 3 is not the same thing as gaining sentience.
Well then, thats good to know.
I kept rolling high on Sense Motive checks with my pack and was not allowed to notice hunches and it sort of got me down.
@CampinCarl9127: Well Sapience is different than Sentience but I see your meaning.
Thanks to both!
Addendum: Though any more examples or rulings would be great, just to help us figure out whats reasonable and not.
Addendum the Second: We decided to go with Sense Motive Aid Another bonus instead, so my Hunter can catch that something's off with his wolf; whether its enchantment, duress or Bluffing!