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No. There is a specific saying that animal companions cannot use itms like that which do not have the Companion trait.
There is no errata removing that rule.
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Just an FYI the chance of anyone from Paizo offering rules clarification on these forums is next to zero.
I can't find a rule that says animal companions can't use items without the companion trait but they definetly can't benefit from handwraps of mighty blows, as they can't benefit from item bonuses outside of the ones in their statblocks.
I would also interpret the line about being unable to use abilities that require greater intellegence locking them out of most items with an activation.
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So unless there is a companion trait listed on the item in question, it cant be used by an animal companion?
By that can you please point out which chapter and page ita found and what source material?
Sure. GM Core pg 272: Companion Items.
Normally, these (items with the Companion trait) are the only items a companion can use. Other items can qualify at the GM's discretion, but a companion can never Activate an Item.There is some lively discussion on whether Eidolons can use mundane items or not. But Companion creatures are pretty solidly in the 'no' category.
I am currently roleplaying a Commander with Cavalier archetype and have a Riding drake as my animal companion, I was wondering if there are any official rules or errata that would allow use of items that dont have the companion trait like handwraps and such. Woyld greatly appreciatte any rules clarifications most specially from the authors and admins of this game. Thanks
IN PF2 this is very straightforward. Absent the companion trait, companions cannot use items.
Now, there are actually a few items which are obviously intended for companions that lack the trait, which is likely an editing issue.
But outside of this, there's nothing to discuss really. The devs didn't intend for animal companion attacks to be buffed (generally speaking).
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How about crafting one? Are tgere specific rules pertaining to making one? Or is that also prohibited within the given set of rules?
You're now outside of the rules completely.
Crafting items that aren't listed isn't something the rules approach in any capacity. There are no rules for crafting custom items in PF2.
And a GM who is aware that aside from the specific companion items, and the rule that items can only affect AC and speed, should probably logically rule that companions aren't getting any attack and damage bonuses from items.
Are companions effective in PF2? At high levels, not really. The math doesn't work in their favor. At low levels, it's better but not great.
Personally I think that's okay, and that's how it should be. They shouldn't be able to outshine anybody else's dedicated character.
That said, I do think we should fold the higher level feats for progression companions into like 1 single extra feat (beyond the class feature or initial feat to unlock the companion) because spending several class feats to have the companion not keep up feels bad.
Ultimately, unfortunately, animal companions aren't meant to be strong.
How about crafting one? Are tgere specific rules pertaining to making one? Or is that also prohibited within the given set of rules?
No item within the rules can do this, so crafting any of those won't change anything.
If you're making up a new item that does, you're firmly in house rule territory and this is a conversation with your GM.
But animal companions are specifically not supposed to be able to get item bonuses because they're not meant to be powerhouses on the battlefield.
The fact that it's extra actions and that you can ride it around is the benefit.
How about crafting one? Are tgere specific rules pertaining to making one? Or is that also prohibited within the given set of rules?
No, you can't craft an Animal Companion.
You could perhaps craft a Construct Companion, but not using the normal item crafting process.
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Confirming that RAW, an animal companion cannot use handwraps of mighty blows.
What you can do is have someone cast runic body on the animal companion.
What you can do is have someone cast runic body on the animal companion.
I mean... technically you can do that, but it won't do anything. It gives item bonuses that animal companions cannot benefit from, so it does absolutely nothing.
The following are the base statistics for a young animal companion, the first animal companion most characters get. You adjust these statistics depending on the type of animal you choose. Animal companions calculate their modifiers and DCs just as you do with one difference: the only item bonuses they can benefit from are to Speed and AC (their maximum item bonus to AC is +3). As you gain levels, you might be able to make your companion stronger by advancing it.
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What you can do is have someone cast runic body on the animal companion.I mean... technically you can do that, but it won't do anything. It gives item bonuses that animal companions cannot benefit from, so it does absolutely nothing.
The following are the base statistics for a young animal companion, the first animal companion most characters get. You adjust these statistics depending on the type of animal you choose. Animal companions calculate their modifiers and DCs just as you do with one difference: the only item bonuses they can benefit from are to Speed and AC (their maximum item bonus to AC is +3). As you gain levels, you might be able to make your companion stronger by advancing it.
I was about to say the same but after some thought, it would make the attack magical and could improve the number of damage dice. So it would do something, just not add to the to hit numbers.