If I select a composite longbow as my panoply bond, what strength rating does it have? (It doesnt appear to be an enchantment, and looking at the pfsrd it lists each composite bow as a separate weapon, so do I get to choose?)
More Questions:
1) (^ See above ^)
2) Can I have a cestus or gauntlet on the off-hand without it interfering with (or imposing a penalty on) my ranged attacks with a bow?
3) Can I have a cestus or gauntlet on the main hand without it interfering with (or imposing a penalty on) my ranged attacks with a bow?
You make a bond with a specific item, not a type of item.
So you don't have a bond with longswords, you have a bond with 'the longsword given to me by my father.' 1 specific unique item.
If that specific unique item is a composite longbow with a +2 str rating, then that is the strength rating that it has.
Neither a cestus or a gauntlet interferes with wielding a weapon.
Also, unless you are actively engaging in two weapon fighting at the time, you don't have a 'main hand' or an 'off hand' you just have hands.
One thing to clarify with a GM before taking this archetype is whether they interpret being immune to the broken condition as also being immune to being destroyed. If not, it could be a big problem.
I know that their was some controversy over this in regards to Black Blades, which has the same terminology. By a very strict reading, nothing prevents objects like this from taking damage, and although they won't get the broken condition when they have taken over half their hit points in damage, nothing prevents them from being destroyed if they are reduced to zero hit points.
I think this is obviously not what is intended, but you should probably clarify it with your GM.
You make a bond with a specific item, not a type of item.
So you don't have a bond with longswords, you have a bond with 'the longsword given to me by my father.' 1 specific unique item.
If that specific unique item is a composite longbow with a +2 str rating, then that is the strength rating that it has.
By that logic, whats stopping me from saying my father gave me a +5 flaming longsword? (Other than a frowning GM)
You can of course say anything you want. Actually having a +5 flaming longsword would be something else (whether bonded or not) and just like anyone else, you would need some justification from the rules for actually having such a thing.
Panoply Bond describes what the bonded item can be and what you get:
"The bonded item is masterwork quality and the battle host begins play with it at no cost."
And I'm not sure exactly what you mean when you say 'by that logic.' I'm not particularly using any logic, just reading exactly what the ability says.
"battle host forms a supernatural bond with a specific weapon"
No logic needed.
No logic needed.
I'm not convinced panoply bond allows you to choose an enchanted or special material weapon or armor for free at first level. I think its much more likely that its an ordinary (albeit masterwork) item. I remain hopeful you can select any strength rating of composite bow though.
Nobody said panoply bond can give you an enchanted weapon.
You said he said it, and he said he didn't say it.
Panoply Bond allows you to choose any masterwork weapon or armor at no cost. The status quo is that means any mundane item of normal materials. So, while Mithral chainmail and a Holy Avenger are both masterwork armor and weapon respectively, that is not what the ability means.
Now, if you started at higher level you could justify spending some of your starting wealth on enchanting your bonded item, thus technically "starting play" with a +1 Flaming longsword as your bonded item, but the enchantment didn't come from the class ability.
Yes, any strength limit on a composite bow.
I'm not convinced panoply bond allows you to choose an enchanted or special material weapon or armor for free at first level. I think its much more likely that its an ordinary (albeit masterwork) item. I remain hopeful you can select any strength rating of composite bow though.
Good. Because it doesn't let you choose an enchanted or special material weapon or armor.
It does however have to be a specific item. It isn't all masterwork longswords that you are bonded to, just one particular one.
Yes, any strength limit on a composite bow.
Cool, thanks!
At the moment i'm thinking i'll make a cestus or gauntlet my panoply bond, just so i can trade in my bow should my strength increase.
You can still upgrade a panolpy bond. Just throw the adaptive enchantment on a bonded bow.
One thing to clarify with a GM before taking this archetype is whether they interpret being immune to the broken condition as also being immune to being destroyed. If not, it could be a big problem.
I know that their was some controversy over this in regards to Black Blades, which has the same terminology. By a very strict reading, nothing prevents objects like this from taking damage, and although they won't get the broken condition when they have taken over half their hit points in damage, nothing prevents them from being destroyed if they are reduced to zero hit points.
I think this is obviously not what is intended, but you should probably clarify it with your GM.
Battle Host: What exactly does it mean that the battle host’s implement is immune to the broken condition? Can it never be destroyed? Can you use it over and over again with abilities that break your weapon for a benefit?
In this particular instance, what it does is slightly different than the usual meaning of “immune.” It means that the implement suffers no penalties, even if it becomes broken. It can still gain the broken condition, and, it still counts as having the broken condition for the purpose of effects that escalate if you have the broken condition (such as effects that give the broken condition, or destroy the target if it already has the broken condition). As usual, you can’t use an effect that breaks a weapon if it already has the broken condition. An explanation will be included in the next errata.
So they can be destroyed.
Awesome, so what happens if someone throws the implement into a bottomless pit, or completely destroys the implement? (am I now implementless forever?)
If they destroy it you can go die and get resed, then it will reform (hopefully with you, but it's up to the DM) if they just chuck it down a pit you have to go fetch it.
Awesome, so what happens if someone throws the implement into a bottomless pit, or completely destroys the implement? (am I now implementless forever?)
As far as I know, the rules don't have any provision for getting a new Bonded Implement, so I think that by the rules you are Implementless forever. Maybe a Wish could restore it?
Of course, the GM could always houserule that you could get another by undergoing a quest or something similar.