Eidolon Avian base type

[Xavram5]

It reads as so...

Starting Statistics

Size: When summoned, an avian eidolon is Small unless it spends 2 points from its evolution pool. At 5th level, a Medium or larger avian eidolon’s flight speed increases by 40 feet, as if it had 2 more points in the flight evolution; Speed 30 ft., fly 30 ft. (good); AC +2 natural armor; Saves Fort (bad), Ref (good), Will (good); Attacks 2 claws (1d3); Ability Scores Str 12, Dex 16, Con 13, Int 7, Wis 10, Cha 11.

Free Evolutions

Claws, flight, limbs (legs).

So my player had a question...

When its summoned, it says its Small. Do ALL these stats reflect the Small size already? Or do we need to take these stats and THEN apply the Small modifiers (-4 to Str, +2 to Dex, -2 to Con, etc, etc)?

Thank you!

[Melkiador]

All other eidolon’s have a base constitution of 13, so it looks like they didn’t apply the small modifiers there. So, I’d say you are intended to add the small size modifiers to those stats.

I guess we could try to argue the letter of the rules there, but the intention seems more than clear enough to me. The avian form is almost certainly not intended to have higher than normal stats when changed to medium size.

[Xavram5]

So at Small, this form would have a Strength of 8? Wow...pretty weak...great Dex though!

[Melkiador]

Xavram5 wrote:

So at Small, this form would have a Strength of 8? Wow...pretty weak...great Dex though!

Yeah. Starting small is supposed to offset the free flight. Having an intelligent flying companion at level 1 is pretty huge. Even with just 8 strength, there are a lot of obstacles that ability can get you past. It can fly up and scout for you. Or fly across pits to help build a bridge. Or fly up to a ledge and drop you a rope. Or grapple flying foes to bring them to the ground.

[Derklord]

I agree with Melkiador. Since you have the option to summon it at medium size, the base stats given are pre-adjustment.