Devolutionist Druid, subhuman companion and restrictions.

[Spermy The Cat]

So let's go over the basics.

Devolved Companion
A devolutionist must choose a devolved humanoid as an animal companion for her nature bond. Use the stats for an ape animal companion, but at 4th level, the devolved humanoid doesn’t increase to size Large (it still gains all the other benefits at 4th level).

So I have questions about this. Since this says devolved 'humanoid', does this mean I can cast humanoid-affecting spells such as Enlarge Person on It? Secondly, since it's fairly implied to be a former human, does that mean it gets the free +2 to any of its stats?

[Spermy The Cat]

And if not, can I cheese it being an orc and having a plus +4 strength, or a dorf for +2 con and wisdom?

Lastly, I know they can't use manufactured weapons, but what about improvised weapons, like big rocks or pointy sticks?

[Mark Seifter]

They are no longer humanoids or members of their old race. As the archetype says, use the stats for an ape animal companion.

[Spermy The Cat]

So no enlarge person?

[GM MacShack]

Using the stats for an ape, I would say no, since it would have the animal type.

[Mark Seifter]

GM MacShack wrote:

Using the stats for an ape, I would say no, since it would have the animal type.

While that's correct by creature type, the OP asked "Can I cast enlarge person on it" and the answer is actually "Yes, if you can personally cast the spell" for a different reason (share spells allows it, even though it's an invalid creature type).

[David knott 242]

And if the devolved companion qualifies as an animal, the druid should be able to cast Animal Growth on it, with similar enough results.

[Name Violation]

Mark Seifter wrote:

GM MacShack wrote:

Using the stats for an ape, I would say no, since it would have the animal type.

While that's correct by creature type, the OP asked "Can I cast enlarge person on it" and the answer is actually "Yes, if you can personally cast the spell" for a different reason (share spells allows it, even though it's an invalid creature type).

I hate to necro this but i think that's incorrect. Enlarge person doesn't have a range of you or personal, its target 1 humanoid creature, so share spells doesn't work. A spell like divine favor which has target: you would work

Share Spells (Ex)
The druid may cast a spell with a target of “You” on her animal companion (as a touch range spell) instead of on herself. A druid may cast spells on her animal companion even if the spells normally do not affect creatures of the companion’s type (animal). Spells cast in this way must come from a class that grants an animal companion. This ability does not allow the animal to share abilities that are not spells, even if they function like spells.

Range close (25 ft. + 5 ft./2 levels)
Target one humanoid creature
Vs
Range personal
Target you

[I grok do u]

Name Violation wrote:

Mark Seifter wrote:

GM MacShack wrote:

Using the stats for an ape, I would say no, since it would have the animal type.

While that's correct by creature type, the OP asked "Can I cast enlarge person on it" and the answer is actually "Yes, if you can personally cast the spell" for a different reason (share spells allows it, even though it's an invalid creature type).

I hate to necro this but i think that's incorrect. Enlarge person doesn't have a range of you or personal, its target 1 humanoid creature, so share spells doesn't work. A spell like divine favor which has target: you would work

Share Spells (Ex)
The druid may cast a spell with a target of “You” on her animal companion (as a touch range spell) instead of on herself. A druid may cast spells on her animal companion even if the spells normally do not affect creatures of the companion’s type (animal). Spells cast in this way must come from a class that grants an animal companion. This ability does not allow the animal to share abilities that are not spells, even if they function like spells.

Range close (25 ft. + 5 ft./2 levels)
Target one humanoid creature
Vs
Range personal
Target you

Can't stop the Necro since I didn't prepare a readied action, but...

Share spells has 2 benefits: 1)can cast spells with target as "you" and 2)can cast spells that normally do not affect creatures of the companion's type. Mark was pointing out the second benefit applies. Divine favor also would work as you note due to the 1st benefit.

[Name Violation]

I grok do u wrote:

Name Violation wrote:

Mark Seifter wrote:

GM MacShack wrote:

Using the stats for an ape, I would say no, since it would have the animal type.

While that's correct by creature type, the OP asked "Can I cast enlarge person on it" and the answer is actually "Yes, if you can personally cast the spell" for a different reason (share spells allows it, even though it's an invalid creature type).

I hate to necro this but i think that's incorrect. Enlarge person doesn't have a range of you or personal, its target 1 humanoid creature, so share spells doesn't work. A spell like divine favor which has target: you would work

Share Spells (Ex)
The druid may cast a spell with a target of “You” on her animal companion (as a touch range spell) instead of on herself. A druid may cast spells on her animal companion even if the spells normally do not affect creatures of the companion’s type (animal). Spells cast in this way must come from a class that grants an animal companion. This ability does not allow the animal to share abilities that are not spells, even if they function like spells.

Range close (25 ft. + 5 ft./2 levels)
Target one humanoid creature
Vs
Range personal
Target you

Can't stop the Necro since I didn't prepare a readied action, but...

Share spells has 2 benefits: 1)can cast spells with target as "you" and 2)can cast spells that normally do not affect creatures of the companion's type. Mark was pointing out the second benefit applies. Divine favor also would work as you note due to the 1st benefit.

Then why did goliath druid have to put in special verbiage?

If the goliath druid selects an animal companion, she must select a dinosaur or megafauna. If she has a dinosaur or megafauna animal companion, she can target it with enlarge person even though the companion isn’t of the humanoid type

Also, I'm wondering how to do the stat adjustment for the Devolutionist companion.

It gains the stat increase at 4th, but not a size increase. So foes it take -2 dex or not?