Can you take a familiar archetype for a familiar gained with the "familiar bond" feat?
The only thing i can find is about archetype STACKING, and that if an archetype changes/replaces class features then another cant, it doesnt say anything about when class features are denied for other reasons, of course it also doesnt specifically mention familiar archetypes either. (instead favoring a general "archetype" wording, albeit as a subsection to class archetypes)
Technically i'm not stacking any archetypes, and the familiar bond feat (unless errata) doesnt impose an archetype.
I'm also not suggesting i gain abilities that replace those that are denied by the familiar bond feat.
Original discussion: http://paizo.com/threads/rzs2tkxy?Familiar-Bond-Archetypes
The rules only seem to talk about class archetype stacking for player characters, not nonclass single archetype usage for nonplayer characters...
My logic is the archetype comes first, then the feat applies on top of that, overruling (removing) some of the familiar's features.
Original threadAs far as I can tell, that's correct, Byakko (and also the case that since both abilities modify SwAoiC, they likely wouldn't be takeable together anyway). It's also why Animal Patron witch wouldn't do it, it would seem (well that and, part and parcel of why archetypes don't allow stacking if they both modify the same feature, ambiguous order of operations).Familiar archetypes work like class archetypes. (it states this at the top of the section in, for example, Animal Archive)
Thus, you have to have the base ability in order to swap it out. Even if you gain the ability from another source, it doesn't count... it has to be in its natural, original form for you to be able to swap it out.
Thus, sadly, you can't obtain a Mauler Improved Familiar. (which is admittedly probably a good thing, considering how powerful it'd be)
Nevermind, ignore my rules question!