So a kobold who's favored class is Summoner gets the benefit:
Summoner Add +1/4 to the summoner’s shield ally bonus (maximum +2).
Ok, that's not bad. Get the class feature at 4th, and by 12th you have a +4 to AC and saves.
Hold on a second, level 12, summoners get this:
Greater Shield Ally (Su)
At 12th level, whenever an ally is within reach of the summoner’s eidolon, the ally gains a +2 shield bonus to its Armor Class and a +2 circumstance bonus on its saving throws. If this ally is the summoner, these bonuses increase to +4. This bonus does not apply if the eidolon is grappled, helpless, paralyzed, stunned, or unconscious.
At 12 the bonus is +4 anyway! Seems a little lackluster...
The question is: does the kobold's favored class bonus then increase this to a +6? Secondly does it increase the bonus applied to other allies to +4?
Yes and yes. The FCB increases whatever the bonus is by two.
Yes and yes. The FCB increases whatever the bonus is by two.
I ask because it says "Shield Ally" not "Greater Shield Ally" (and I could not find anyone anywhere else asking about it).
Yes and yes. The FCB increases whatever the bonus is by two.I ask because it says "Shield Ally" not "Greater Shield Ally" (and I could not find anyone anywhere else asking about it).
Gotcha. I'll assert that the bonus from greater shield ally is a "shield ally" bonus on the grounds that things should be the same, or they should be different.
I admit that if an evil GM claimed otherwise I don't have clear RAW to beat them over the head with---but I don't hesitate to call such a GM evil.
Makes sense. That's what I figured (it's what I would have argued).
I probably just got hit with the stupid stick after having to field this question (and others like it) in a discord server:
does the archer need to have the ranged flanking feat?
ok here is example
Archer -----Monster--Me.
during my attack would I get the flanking bonus if the archer does not have the ranged flanking feat?or does it require the archer to have the ranged flank feat for me to get a flanking bonus?
I've also had to literally quote the rules on Aid Another to that person no less than 4 times.
Sometimes even crystal-clear RAW aren't enough....