Animal Intelegence

[Bront]

What hapens to an animal who's INT goes above 3 temporarily? How about permanently?

 

[Jack Simth]

It suddenly understands common, unless otherwise specified, and can make somewhat intelligent decisions, advance in class levels, et cetera.

 

[Sejs]

Temporarily, it'd make suddenly more insightful decisions based on its existing experiences, possibly start having niggling thoughts about abstract concepts, motivations, and so on. Of course, depending on just how high the int boost goes. At int 3 or 4 we're still talking about pretty basic cognition here. I would definitely say it does not suddenly sprout the ability to understand common. It's basically the same animal, only slightly more complex in its ability to function. Think Lassie or Flipper. Still an animal, just a real clever one.


Permanently is another cup of tea. Assuming you're talking about thru the application of stat increases from levels/hd/etc - I would actually venture to say that an animal can't raise its int above 2, because that limitation is part of the animal creature type. If it's thru magical means (awaken, say) then that already has a system in place - the animal changes type to a magical beast.

 

[Bront]

It suddenly understands common, unless otherwise specified, and can make somewhat intelligent decisions, advance in class levels, et cetera.

Even if temporarily?

 

[Hairfoot]

"Oh, my god! I'm a cat! A cat! Why didn't anyone tell me?

Do I have a soul? Is there a god?

*gasp* All those mice! Those poor, poor mice I tortured to death when I wasn't even hungry.

I feel so alone. Who can I talk to? Quick! Give me a stiff drink and a number for the sentient cat support group!

Gaaah! No thumbs!"

 

[CanineLord]

New Type

Animals don't have intelligence above 3. I'd say it's type changes (even if only temporarily) to magical beast for the duration of the IQ boost.

 

[Patryn of Elvenshae]

I would definitely say it does not suddenly sprout the ability to understand common.

Except, by the rules, it does.

If it's thru magical means (awaken, say) then that already has a system in place - the animal changes type to a magical beast.

What about if it's through a Headband of Intellect? Or just a bog-standard Fox's Cunning?

 

[Bront]

This is something to note for Animal companions, because it could make items like the headband more covitable for an animal companion if it did such things.

 

[ceratitis]

"Oh, my god! I'm a cat! A cat! Why didn't anyone tell me?

Do I have a soul? Is there a god?

*gasp* All those mice! Those poor, poor mice I tortured to death when I wasn't even hungry.

I feel so alone. Who can I talk to? Quick! Give me a stiff drink and a number for the sentient cat support group!

Gaaah! No thumbs!"

ROFL

can i quit you for my sig?
Z

 

[Klaus]

An animal can't raise its Int above 2 through HD-based ability increases, as the MM states that no animal cam have Int above 2.

If the animal gets an Int higher than 2 (through temporary or permanent means), it becomes a Magical Beast (Augmented Animal) for the duration of the effect. It can suddenly understand Common, but it isn't clear if it can vocalize it (there are several magical beasts that can understand but not speak Common).

Lassie, as depicted in the TV series, is a good example of an animal in this condition, with an Int of 3 or 4.