Pathfinder 2 Hireling Boon

[Laran]

I understand that a hireling has 2+your level as the modifier for a single skill when first purchased. Also, I understand that the hireling cannot increase the modifier by the use of class abilities or spells

Questions

1) Am I correct in assuming that the hireling can use necessary equipment for the skill (I would expect the player to purchase this equipment)? Take the Healer's tools for the use of Medicine as an example

2) Would the hireling be able to gain any additional benefit from non-magical items that might increase the modifier (e.g. if the character provided the Expanded Healer's Tools)? Or would the expanded healer tools be just a very expensive set of regular healer tools in the hireling's hands

[Laran]

Ok - given the lack of response, I will assume that it is logical that a hireling can benefit from equipment and would also get the +1 for the "masterwork" tools

[roll4initiative]

Give it a couple days for an answer. It's a holiday weekend. I'm sure someone that has an answer will chime in. I'm sorry I can't answer your question. I really don't know if hirelings can benefit from tools.

[Nefreet]

Hirelings in Starfinder Society can use tools, and they're nearly verbatim the same as these Hirelings, so I think you're good.

[Laran]

Thank you.

[Kromkore]

I know it old thread but with hireling boon and professional hireling if I pick combat medic can he heal in combat?

The hireling does not participate directly in combat, cannot be harmed unless willfully endangered, and has no effect other than performing the selected skill checks.

Just want to make sure we have a game that will be short on healer and it could be my solution to help

[NielsenE]

If the hireling is healing in combat, then the hireling has been willfully endangered by the player and is a viable target for enemy actions.

[Nefreet]

I give my Hirelings non-Combat healing abilities, like Continual Recovery, because something like Battle Medicine would be "participating directly in combat".

[NielsenE]

Yes there's plenty of viable out-of-combat healing Hireling options.

[Philippe Lam]

Kromkore wrote:

I know it old thread but with hireling boon and professional hireling if I pick combat medic can he heal in combat?

The hireling does not participate directly in combat, cannot be harmed unless willfully endangered, and has no effect other than performing the selected skill checks.

Just want to make sure we have a game that will be short on healer and it could be my solution to help

Any active action makes the hireling a valid target, not just aggressive ones. The fact the goal is to heal people creates a double jeopardy. " A good healer is a dead healer " If I can attack the player's budget by knocking the hireling down, all the better.

Concurring with the others saying sticking to noncombat use is the best choice.

[redeux]

The phrasing could be better.

Hireling (emphasis added) wrote:

You have recruited a non-combat hireling who can assist you with a certain set of skill checks. This ally performs the selected skills with a total modifier equal to 2 + your level, and they are considered trained in the skills. You must expend any actions and be in range to perform the action yourself, and any consequences of these actions affect you (such as falling when using Athletics to Climb). The hireling’s result cannot be modified by class abilities or spells, but it can be improved by a successful Aid check. The hireling does not participate directly in combat, cannot be harmed unless willfully endangered, and has no effect other than performing the selected skill checks.

When you purchase this boon, you select one skill as well as one Lore skill. The hireling can perform only these skills checks.

I think the second part of that is what is confusing since it says the hireling cannot participate "directly" - and I think some people will argue healing is not "directly" involved in combat. So in that case does the second part of the boon further clarify what is said in the first part of the boon?

Personally, I think the first sentence is clear that the hireling can't be used in combat, full stop. And for the sake of the second part of the boon I would consider healing directly being involved in combat.

Otherwise we'd start seeing questions like "can my hireling trip?" well, no that obviously has the attack trait, but then what about "can my hireling feint?" and so on. At what point do you draw the line if not at the start of combat?

[Dragnmoon]

Race Dorsey wrote:

"can my hireling feint?" and so on.

My hireling Faints every time Combat starts... ;)

[Philippe Lam]

The disagreement on whether it's clear enough or not. I personally don't think it needs to be explicited further