There's nothing about this in the FAQs, even thought Alien Archive 3 came out adding new rules for companions, while not addressing what happens to Squoxes and the fact that, at least to me, they seem to function by a completely different set of rules!
>> If my player wants a Squox companion, what stats am I supposed to use? The AA3 ones, the 1/3 CR AA2 ones, or the 1 CR AA2 one??
>> How does having the Squox Companion Feat work with the new AA3 rules? Does Creature Companion Adept replace Squox Companion? Does it integrate it? How do I let them use the Squox Tricks? What checks/actions does the player need to use to command the Squox to use Squox Tricks?
I am quite surprised that I couldn't see a single thread on this in the forum as well (or at least it didn't show up in my searches)
Thank you for your help!
They don't interact. Either take Squox Companion, and ignore AA3, or build a supersquox using the AA3 creature companion rules and feats.
They don't interact. Either take Squox Companion, and ignore AA3, or build a supersquox using the AA3 creature companion rules and feats.
So let's say I ignore AA3 and only take into account Squox Companion. When my player asks "what action do I spend and what roll do I do, if any, to make the Squox do stuff in combat, like its tricks", what do I reply?
I don't see any rules explaining this.
Even taking AA2 and its Squox stuff into account.
The squox rules were a one-off to make the cute mascot the party picks up in the Against the Aeon Throne mechanically useful. They're pretty limited, all told. As no specific actions are listed under the feat, I would use the typical rules for the handle animal use of Survival, so a move action.
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The squox rules were a one-off to make the cute mascot the party picks up in the Against the Aeon Throne mechanically useful. They're pretty limited, all told. As no specific actions are listed under the feat, I would use the typical rules for the handle animal use of Survival, so a move action.
Ok, but as described in the core rule book, handle animal is used to raise the animal's attitude, not to "command it" as in Pathfinder 2 where it's very well addressed by the system. The attitude of the Squax is already helpful, so there's no need to use that.
This is what I propose, I'll share it here in case there's anyone else with this admittedly small problem:
SOLUTION:
Squox Companion should only give you access to the 1/3 CR squox. However, it should now include all of the properties of Creature Companion Adept. You basically get the other feat for free, although the effect of Creature Companion Adept only applies to your Squox 1/3 CR pet, you can't use it for other pets. Your pet cannot grow into any other more trained or more advanced forms (see below).
This allows anyone to use the squox and its tricks properly, using the AA3 rules.
If you want a more powerful and scalable Squox, you need to get it as if it was a companion, following the AA3 rules. You should use the following Squox Companion Stats:
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Squox Companion Levels 1-15
Tiny animal
Senses blindsense (scent) 30 ft., low-light vision.
Good Save Refl; Poor Saves Fort, Will
Speed 40 ft., climb 20 ft.
Melee Attack bite (P)
Space 1 ft. Reach 0 ft.
Ability Modifiers Dex, Cha
Special Abilities
Hyperactive Character (Ex) While your squox companion is within 30 feet of you, you gain a +1 insight bonus to Perception checks to notice and search when the GM determines your squox could help you accomplish these tasks. In addition, your adorable companion is distracting. While it is in your space, you gain a +1 insight bonus to Bluff checks to feint. If your squox is in your space or within 10 feet of you, you can instead gain this insight bonus to Bluff checks to create a diversion, which can allow you or your squox to attempt to hide (your choice of which when you attempt the Bluff check).
Squox Tricks (Ex, 4th level) A squox can use Acrobatics to jump instead of Athletics. In addition, a squox can use its Acrobatics bonus as its attack bonus when it attempts a dirty trick, disarm, or trip combat maneuver. If the squox succeeds at a dirty trick maneuver, it can choose only between the entangled and off-target conditions. A squox’s tail, two front paws, and mouth count as hands free for a disarm attempt.
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In this case, however, you can't use the Squox Companion feat, and if you want you should instead get the normal Creature Companion Adept feat. If you already had the Squox Companion feat and want to switch to the Companion version of the animal, you can pay the normal price for a Companion of the appropriate level, following the AA3 rules and get your new Squox Companion. By doing this, you automatically loose the Squox Companion Feat (as well as the 1/3 CR squox) and automatically get the Creature Companion Adept feat.
I believe this solves the problem neatly.