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Hello rules gurus, seeking wisdom!
The Huntmaster Cavalier archetype gets animal companion(s).
The archetype indicates:
The share spells animal companion ability does not give the huntmaster the ability to cast a single spell so that it affects all of his animal companions.
Does this mean if the cavalier only has one companion, they can share spells? If not, why wouldn’t the wording have just eliminated share spells all together? Or perhaps this is just meant to emphasize that one spell casting per companion is required if share spells is in use? (I intend to multi class into a spellcaster).
Thanks!
It seems odd to me that the archetype has to specify that, because share spells doesn't allow a caster to split/duplicate a spell between themselves and an animal companion, only to cast it on the companion with fewer limitations (such as working around personal range or creature type). So you still need one casting per PC or companion.
The Improved Spell Sharing teamwork feat allows you to split the duration between the caster and the target companion, but nothing about that feat's text leads me to believe that it would benefit more than one companion at a time.
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the author probably forgot pathfinder share spells works differently than 3.5 share spells, and wrote it to reflect 3.5's version
Share Spells (Ex)
At the druid’s option, she may have any spell (but not any spell-like ability) she casts upon herself also affect her animal companion. The animal companion must be within 5 feet of her at the time of casting to receive the benefit. If the spell or effect has a duration other than instantaneous, it stops affecting the animal companion if the companion moves farther than 5 feet away and will not affect the animal again, even if it returns to the druid before the duration expires.
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Share Spells (Ex)
The druid may cast a spell with a target of “You” on her animal companion (as a spell with a range of touch) 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.
Share spells only works with spells granted by the class that gives you your animal companion. Since cavalier is not a spell caster share spell does not function. Even if you multiclass it will not work unless the other class grants you an animal companion. The archetype cannot alter an ability of another class so the normal rules for sharing a spell still apply.
Share Spells (Ex): The druid may cast a spell with a target of “You” on her animal companion (as a spell with a range of touch) 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.
Good catch, Mysterious Stranger! In fact, the cavalier's mount class feature explicitly states, "A cavalier’s mount does not gain the share spells special ability."
Hunting pack replaces mount, and the huntmaster does not gain any spellcasting, so logically the archetype should specify that the pack does not gain share spells either. That would be so much clearer than the confusing phrase that prompted the OP's question.