Looking over the options you gave, the PC himself would still be in more danger than any opponent. Since it isn't magically bonded/controlled by/to the PC, the Tiger (especially if used to attack) WILL eventually attack the PC when the PC is very vulnerable. (Tigers & such attack when they...
I didn't state it was uncrossable. I was showing that it isn't always that useful. It might take 5 days to construct a way across as opposed to 5 days and 1 hour to go around. You've gained an hour. Big deal. It does nothing to mess up the game unless the DM prepares poorly.
Someone mentioned that you need to cut up the book. Wrong. I have a high end scanner at work that with a touch of the book button, auto corrects for the curvature. Can't even tell you were scanning a book. It also does excellent OCR at the same time. I have made excellent PDFs out of my...
Here's an example PC from a 1st Ed RPGA module:
6th level fighter: longsword +1, Chainmail +2, boots of levitation.
This was pretty typical for that level. Now, by following the 3.5 WBL tables, which would afford more magic?
Nope. It can only see something there to attack. It is mindless, thus can't be insulted, taunted etc,. Like a virus. It can't look at the potential host and decide it looks defenseless...
Apples and oranges. One is RP and the DM still controls the NPC. The
other is a magical effect that compels and the PC controls. If you REALLY can't distinguish the ACTUAL difference then, there is no reason to discuss...