Nanite Infested Animal Companion Archetype (3pp)

Some animals become infested with nanites and are irrevocably changed from the experience.

Caught between the natural and unnatural, these animals often seek out masters similarly caught between nature and technology, feeling an innate kinship.

Special: The animal companion’s master must have the Technologist feat before he can gain a companion with this archetype.

Constructed: For the purposes of effects targeting creatures by type, an infested animal companion counts both as an animal and a construct. The animal companion gains a +4 racial bonus on all saving throws against mind-affecting effects, paralysis, poison, and stun effects. The companion is not subject to fatigue or exhaustion and is immune to disease and sleep effects.

Upon acquiring this animal companion, the master must choose whether it is healed like a living creature (such as with cure spells) or like a construct (such as with the spell make whole). Once this choice is made, it cannot be changed unless the companion is killed or replaced.

This ability replaces share spells and evasion.

Emotionless: At 6th level, the infested animal companion never gains morale bonuses and is immune to fear effects and all emotion-based effects. This ability replaces devotion.

Nanite Enhancement: At 9th level, on command as an immediate action, the infested can cause its nanites to concentrate, granting a bonus equal to the companion’s HD on any one d20 roll. This ability must be activated before the roll is made. When an infested animal uses this power, its circuitry-tattoos glow with light equivalent to that of a torch for 1 round. This ability replaces multiattack.

Nanite Surge: At 15th level, The infested concentrates all its nanites for one great effort. This functions as the nanite enhancement ability but the bonus is 3 + the constructed animal’s HD. This can only be used once per day for every five HD it possesses. Once exhausted, the infested animal cannot use its nanite enhancement or nanite surge abilities again until it rests for 8 hours. This ability replaces improved evasion.