Leveling up my animal companion with alternative stats

[Baumfluch]

Hi

the section "animal choices" (CRB->classes->druid) says:
"Instead of taking the listed benefit at 4th or 7th level, you can instead choose to increase the companion's Dexterity and Constitution by 2."

Does this only refer to the ability modifications, or to all modification.

example:
i have a cat(small) and use this choice at level 4.
My cat would get +2DEX/+2CON instead of +4STR/-2DEX/+2 CON.
But would also remain small sized, keep the lower damage on her bite and claws and wouldn´t it get sprint?

Im pretty confident it only refers to the ability modifications, but the rule isnt 100% clear, as the other changes are generally also "listed benefits".

What do you guys think?

thanks

[Chess Pwn]

I've always read it as all.

[Weirdo]

I also read it as all.

I'm pretty sure the die increases are just spelling out the result of the size increase.

If it's a home game, you might be able to convince your GM to let you get sprint.

[Baumfluch]

If it replaced all, it would also replace the size change, so my cat would stay small...

[dreadfury]

Baumfluch wrote:

If it replaced all, it would also replace the size change, so my cat would stay small...

You are Correct it replaces all listed benefits including size changes. its like pressing "b" when evolving a pokemon.

This lest you keep animals the size category you want them to stay at like stopping a Roc from going to large size.

[Baumfluch]

Still its arguable if growing from small to medium is an actual benefit. You lose +1 on attack rolls, +1 om armorclass and bonus to other things like stealth.
Seing the ordinary developement on abilities you gain +4/-2/+2 wich overall makes +4, just like pickung the +2/+2 option.

If everything is replaced its basicly never a good idea usong the option, since you loose so much (damage on attacks, special abilities and lets be honest: +4/-2/+2 is stronger than +2/+2 according to the ability-buy sytem in pf).

Its a s+!+load of downsides compared to only switching the ability bonuses between the physical stats.

If you all read it like that, i think im gonna stick to the ordinary way and just buy a dex item. Its never worth giving up everything your animal gains just for the stat-switching

[Chess Pwn]

if you really don't want an animal to grow, like a halfling using a wolf mount might want to keep it medium to not be too big.
It's an option if you really want, but isn't the default nor equivalent.

[Baumfluch]

I guess RAW you are right. Makes no sense to me at all, but thats what house rules are for. The Rule Question is answered with that.
If you are interested, here are some thoughts my GM and i had to that topic.

Talked to my GM and we will just replace the ability. We are kinda sure, that this is RAI.

We did some calculation, and comparing the "normal" way to the "optional way" it would be none of an option to take the alternative.
If you are interested in the comparison

If you take the normal way you gain (assuming you picked weapon finesse):
-2 AC (-2 DEX and growing medium)
-2 AB (growing medium and -2 DEX)
+2 damage each attack (+4 STR)
+1 avarage damage on the bite (d4 to d6)
+0,5 avarage damage on each claw (d2 to d3)
+3 CMB (growing medium and +4 STR)
Sprint special ability
+2 CMD (-2 DEX, but +4 STR and growing medium)

If you take the Option you get:
+2 AC (only if your armor allows DEX-Mod +7)
+2 Reflex save (dex)
+2 to hit (+2 DEX and staying small)
+1 CMD (+2 DEX)

so its very very very much stronger to pick the ordinary way.
the only real benefit on the alternative way would be the AC, but actually it wont matter too much. going the usual way you are at DEX 19 (without the level progression). so you can equip it with a chainshirt.
that puts you to +4 Armorbonus and +4 Dexbonus.
going the alternative way you are at DEX 23. thats only +6. you could pick a leather armor, wich offers another +2 allowing +6 DEX. so overall you are at +8 aswell. no advantage there. perhaps sometime, when you have the money to afford a mithral chainshirt for your pet. Till then its no benefit at all.

so basicly you sacrifice +3 Damage on bite, +2,5 damage on each claw, better CMD and better CMB (important for animals that eventually have trip) only for a little better AB and Reflex save. Should never ever be worth it at all.