Do I add the Str bonus or the Dex bonus to my cat companion's claw attack?
Animal companions follow the same combat rules as other characters and creatures: Add Strength, unless it has Weapon Finesse.
Ok, thanks. This is my first animal companion so I'm still figuring out how to fill out the sheet.
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Ok, thanks. This is my first animal companion so I'm still figuring out how to fill out the sheet.
Natural Attacks. If you scroll down to natural attacks, there's a handy table that shows both the damage type of each natural attack and if it is considered a primary or secondary attack. Knowing the Damage type can be very helpful for bypassing DR and in underwater combat situations.
So my cat's bite and claw are both considered primary. That's good.
BTW, familiars have special text to use their dexterity for attack, even without weapon finesse.
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So my cat's bite and claw are both considered primary. That's good.
Also note that Bites deal B+S+P damage and Claws deal B+S damage. Expect to bypass DR of Zombies and Skeletons.
That said, you aren't able to deal just Piercing damage with any attack. This can be annoying if you get into underwater combat rules, which may come up at some point. Just something to keep in mind. Not that Cats are well known for underwater combat anyway...
BTW, familiars have special text to use their dexterity for attack, even without weapon finesse.
Correct, but unrelated information because the poster is talking about Animal Companions.
It's mentionable, because some people get familiars mixed up with other kinds of companions. And that's why it starts with "BTW", to let you know that it's a tangent reminder.
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It's mentionable, because some people get familiars mixed up with other kinds of companions. And that's why it starts with "BTW", to let you know that it's a tangent reminder.
Very well, if going on tangental reminders, be sure to note that the Familiar ability allows Dex or Str to attack ONLY with Natural Attacks. Familiars, like the Toad, which lack Natural Attacks, do not benefit from this option and must use strength to attack unless they manage to acquire a natural attack from another source (like the Evolved Familiar feat).
Also: "Creatures that are size Tiny or smaller use their Dexterity modifier in place of their Strength modifier to determine their CMB"
Also: "Creatures that are size Tiny or smaller use their Dexterity modifier in place of their Strength modifier to determine their CMB"Source? I seem to recall a long debate on this one and eventually learning that this is on a Pathfinder rule at all.
It's in the combat chapter on the prd.
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It's in the combat chapter on the prd.Also: "Creatures that are size Tiny or smaller use their Dexterity modifier in place of their Strength modifier to determine their CMB"Source? I seem to recall a long debate on this one and eventually learning that this is on a Pathfinder rule at all.
Ah, thank you very much, I found it. Awesome.
Ah, thank you very much, I found it. Awesome.It's in the combat chapter on the prd.Also: "Creatures that are size Tiny or smaller use their Dexterity modifier in place of their Strength modifier to determine their CMB"Source? I seem to recall a long debate on this one and eventually learning that this is on a Pathfinder rule at all.
For completeness.
Combat Maneuver Bonus: Each character and creature has a Combat Maneuver Bonus (or CMB) that represents its skill at performing combat maneuvers. A creature's CMB is determined using the following formula:
Creatures that are size Tiny or smaller use their Dexterity modifier in place of their Strength modifier to determine their CMB. The special size modifier for a creature's Combat Maneuver Bonus is as follows: Fine –8, Diminutive –4, Tiny –2, Small –1, Medium +0, Large +1, Huge +2, Gargantuan +4, Colossal +8. Some feats and abilities grant a bonus to your CMB when performing specific maneuvers.
I think people often misremember this rule as saying that tiny or smaller creatures use Dexterity for attack rolls. That isn't a rule.