|
Having in the past considered getting a Glyptodon animal companion, I discovered It isn't listed as a legal PFS companion.
Which lead me to the question, why is it and some other animals not legal while others are...
Is it based on the setting? Surely can't be power, with the glyptodon's stats granted strong claws.
What about other companions from old books not yet PFS legal, is there an official reasoning or are we just to guess at it?
It doesn't seem overpower at all so random chance? Blindfolded darts? Spin the giant wheel of legality? Who knows. It seems that ALL megafauna not from an AP is banned for some reason so maybe someone at PFS hates them?
I could also ask, why no llamas? Cave Salamanders? Giraffe? Riding Python? None seem overpowered IMO. With Tyrannosaurus, Velociraptors, Pygmy Hippopotamus, Mindspin Rams, Kangaroos and Bristle Boar legal I'm hard pressed to see a flavor reason to exclude them.
Probably because someone thought it was "clearly superior at some niche" and thus banned it to keep the other options niche free for that other option.
Sorry, bad entry, was distracted, carry on.
You will have to ask the PFS forums for any chance of this.
I don't do PFS at all.
So it has +5 natural armor and 1d8 claws. Since claws are usually only 1d4, this is functionally worth +4 strength.
The result is a companion with a stat-line equivalent to +5 NA, 2 claws (1d4), 17 strength. This blows the big cat out of the water, and if something is better then the big cat, then it is too good.
Though the 20ft base speed is kinda sad...
Also, when you take Improved natural attack, the claws go up to 2d6 instead of 1d6 that a more normal 1d4 claw would go up to.
Blows the cat out of the water? *checks Glytodon* nope, no pounce. Cat still reigns.
Cat also has more attacks, grab, and rake. In addition to having the same Strength score.
The Glytodon, in constrast, could do more damage with its claws(they do get up to d10 after all) than the cat can and +4 Natural armor(7 to the Cat’s 3).
The cat comes out on top again though,mbecause the AC difference is actually only 2. The cat's Dexterity is 15 at 7th level and the Glyptodon's is 10. So the cat has a higher Reflex, touch AC, initiative(if for some reason it needs it), Acrobatics check, and Stealth check. Increase its Dex by 1 and it gets even better.
Probably because someone thought it was "clearly superior at some niche" and thus banned it to keep the other options niche free for that other option.
I can't see ANY niche it's remotely superior in. It's better claw damage isn't superior to either 3 attack creatures or single attack ones like the Stegosaurus with a 2d6 +1.5 str attacks. AC is blown out of the water by the Giant Snapping Turtle plus it has swim.
If there is a niche I'm not seeing, I'd love to hear it.
|
Pfs just randomly bans things. It doesnt have to be powerful it just has to be not garbage and they will errata it into the ground. See pounce lance ,casting glowing runes, and combat pets.
This is creature that is worse than core creatures yet is banned because it is different. There is and has never been a consistent rationale for banning anything.
Probably because someone thought it was "clearly superior at some niche" and thus banned it to keep the other options niche free for that other option.I can't see ANY niche it's remotely superior in. It's better claw damage isn't superior to either 3 attack creatures or single attack ones like the Stegosaurus with a 2d6 +1.5 str attacks. AC is blown out of the water by the Giant Snapping Turtle plus it has swim.
If there is a niche I'm not seeing, I'd love to hear it.
The niche of having the highest damage claw attack would be a niche. Not DPR from claws, but singular claw hit base damage. Maybe it's the niche of animal that have two claw attacks.
Just because the niche isn't worth filling or existing and doesn't influence the top choices doesn't mean it's not a niche it fills that they may use to justify banning a creature.
Pfs just randomly bans things. It doesnt have to be powerful it just has to be not garbage and they will errata it into the ground. See pounce lance ,casting glowing runes, and combat pets.
This is creature that is worse than core creatures yet is banned because it is different. There is and has never been a consistent rationale for banning anything.
Other than being able to somewhat control what is in their player's hands so they can make modules.
The niche of having the highest damage claw attack would be a niche. Not DPR from claws, but singular claw hit base damage. Maybe it's the niche of animal that have two claw attacks.Just because the niche isn't worth filling or existing and doesn't influence the top choices doesn't mean it's not a niche it fills that they may use to justify banning a creature.
I wouldn't call high dice in a single type of natural weapon as a niche as opposed to most average damage. We have higher base damages [2d6] and total number and static bonus attacks [bite (1d4+2), 2 claws (1d3+2)].
Now I can see what you're saying about it being a possibility for why it's excluded but if that's the case it seems quite knee-jerk.
|
|
Other than being able to somewhat control what is in their player's hands so they can make modules.Pfs just randomly bans things. It doesnt have to be powerful it just has to be not garbage and they will errata it into the ground. See pounce lance ,casting glowing runes, and combat pets.
This is creature that is worse than core creatures yet is banned because it is different. There is and has never been a consistent rationale for banning anything.
They broke and continue to break their own rule on casting spells having magic glowing runes in the modules. So no its not for that. Otherwise they would follow those same rules.
It is just random.
Module writers aren't perfect rules lawyers. It comes up almost every AP of mod, like the Kasatha duel-wielding chainsaws despite there being no rules whatsoever for two-weapon fighting with two-handed weapons.
|
|
Granted it could get pretty interesting with Improved Natural attack Claws, large size and the animal companion multi attack for a third claw attack.(3 attacks of 2d8+x dmg), Probably ideal for Greater natural fang assuming it's 1 type of attack that gets the bonus and not just 1 claw.
Had it move around with Rake, It might have been a popular companion.
Still it's easy to hit, moves around slowly and got relatively low stats.
Granted it could get pretty interesting with Improved Natural attack Claws, large size and the animal companion multi attack for a third claw attack.(3 attacks of 2d8+x dmg), Probably ideal for Greater natural fang assuming it's 1 type of attack that gets the bonus and not just 1 claw.
Had it move around with Rake, It might have been a popular companion.
Still it's easy to hit, moves around slowly and got relatively low stats.
vs legal 4 and 5 attack fast [40' or 60'] pouncers [large cat/Deinonychus], it's not what I'd call impressive. Even the Stegosaurus using the same things [Improved Natural attack/multiattack] is doing 2x 3d6 +1.5 str. I don't see a single role [attacker/defender/flanker/ect] that it beats out an existing companion.