I assume we use the Pathfinder 2E rules on familiars, since none exist in Starfinder 2E yet. This would also mean we need to reference the Pet general feat. It would be nice if these were reprinted in the Luminary playtest materials. (Yes, I know they are available of Archives of Nethys)
Since a Hardlight familiar has the construct familiar ability, does this also mean that it must have the tough familiar ability? I assume so since the alchemical familiar specifies that it does not need to take tough. Just in case it is an oversight, I thought I'd doublecheck.
I assume we use the Pathfinder 2E rules on familiars, since none exist in Starfinder 2E yet. This would also mean we need to reference the Pet general feat. It would be nice if these were reprinted in the Luminary playtest materials. (Yes, I know they are available of Archives of Nethys)
Since a Hardlight familiar has the construct familiar ability, does this also mean that it must have the tough familiar ability? I assume so since the alchemical familiar specifies that it does not need to take tough. Just in case it is an oversight, I thought I'd doublecheck.
I would assume that it does not get the Tough ability since it doesn't say that it does. From an "argument from balance" standpoint, a first or second level feat usually gets you a familiar with two abilities. Construct doesn't do much, so it's not surprising to see it tacked on. Tough is an extra 40% worth of hitpoints, and its inclusion on top of two free-choice abilities seems worth mentioning explicitly if it were meant to be included.
The construct familiar ability says "Your familiar has the construct trait instead of the animal trait. The familiar is immune to death effects, disease, doomed, drained, fatigued, healing, nonlethal attacks, paralyzed, poison, sickened, spirit, unconscious, vitality, and void. Your familiar must have the tough pet ability to select this." emphasis mine.
The Alchemical Familiar feat specifically excludes the tough ability. "You gain a familiar, which has the construct familiar ability; this is permanent, doesn't require the familiar to have the tough familiar ability, and doesn't count against your usual limit of familiar abilities (typically 2).' Again emphasis mine.
Tough wouldn't be a free ability, it would be a forced choice.
The construct familiar ability says "Your familiar has the construct trait instead of the animal trait. The familiar is immune to death effects, disease, doomed, drained, fatigued, healing, nonlethal attacks, paralyzed, poison, sickened, spirit, unconscious, vitality, and void. Your familiar must have the tough pet ability to select this." emphasis mine.
The Alchemical Familiar feat specifically excludes the tough ability. "You gain a familiar, which has the construct familiar ability; this is permanent, doesn't require the familiar to have the tough familiar ability, and doesn't count against your usual limit of familiar abilities (typically 2).' Again emphasis mine.
Tough wouldn't be a free ability, it would be a forced choice.
Ah, I see. No, you don't need to select Tough, because you aren't "selecting" Construct. It's being given as a bonus.
Yeah, I know that Alchemical Familiar's wording implies otherwise, but I would not go making Starfinder rulings based on the implication of lacking a Pathfinder class's feat's wording. It would be nice if "ignore the prerequisites" wording were used consistently, of course.