Post/Author/DateTime	Post
crimsonwolf 02-12-07, 08:10 PM	doing one level in sorc... and get a familar... should i pick a flying creature for my fam?
Ralvuimego 02-12-07, 08:24 PM	Honestly, familiars don't really mean very much, especially since you're only dipping into sorceror. If you want to lessen the HP hit from the one level of sorceror, get a toad (+3 hp). Generally, if you're mixing barbarian and sorceror, you'll want to pick up a lot of buffs for yourself, so using the familiar as a touch attack engine won't be much of an issue either.
The_Shaman 02-12-07, 09:38 PM	Flying helps, but since you have good HPs you might as well wait a bit and get an improved one. From the basic ones, I'd recommend the raven as you can speak with it from lvl 1.
PoorHobo 02-13-07, 12:16 AM	There are two nice familiars, I have seen them both on the CO boards but I don't know what book they are in. One is the octopus, +3 to grapple checks The other I don't remember the name but gives you +3 initiative Some other decent choices. Rat +2 fort Weasel +2 Reflex
crimsonwolf 02-13-07, 12:52 AM	its only one level of sorc.. and there is evil things that happen when your fam dies so just looking for battle harden ones
The_Shaman 02-13-07, 07:27 AM	I think the hummingbird gave an init. bonus, bug I don't remember where it was from.
Lt_Murgen 02-13-07, 08:10 AM	Why bother wasting the level to take sorcerer? Even an improved familiar at that level wont give you much. If you read the empathic link, it allows for only general emotional sharing. such as fear, happiness, etc. Additionally, they still need to be trained to do specific things- familiars do not come "pre-loaded" with tricks. You would be better off taking levels in handle animal, and training a pet.
Templario 02-13-07, 08:16 AM	I think the hummingbird gave an init. bonus, bug I don't remember where it was from. Dragon Magazine... I forgot the number, but I'm almost certain it's # 3XX.
Azar_of_Faerun 02-13-07, 08:18 AM	Why bother wasting the level to take sorcerer? Even an improved familiar at that level wont give you much. If you read the empathic link, it allows for only general emotional sharing. such as fear, happiness, etc. Additionally, they still need to be trained to do specific things- familiars do not come "pre-loaded" with tricks. You would be better off taking levels in handle animal, and training a pet. Perhaps true strike? Wild guess here...
runestar 02-13-07, 08:30 AM	1 lv of spellcaster gives you the ability to use wands. Not a bad deal, while I would prefer to just take the arcane schooling feat from PGTF if possible(though I admit that it will not mesh well thematically). A familiar is not a bad idea here. It gets to use your bab(which should be good for a barb). It has 1/2 your hp, which is quite a bit as a barb, so it won't be so fragile. This means that it can make for a strong fighter once steps are taken to boost its combat prowess, say via polymorph or PAO?:) It also paves the way for green star adept or dragon disciple.
crimsonwolf 02-13-07, 09:04 AM	rage mage is what am aiming for
ninjarabbit 02-13-07, 09:09 AM	Take a look at abjurant champion from Complete Mage. It only requires 5 BAB, 1 caster level, and combat casting (so a barbarian4/sorcerer2 or barbarian5/sorcerer1 qualifies) and it gives you full BAB and CL progression, d10 hit dice, the ability to cast swift and extended abjurations for free, sets your caster level equal to you BAB, and a few other things. Rage mage really isn't a great choice since it neither gives you good BAB or CL progression.
FrostWolf 02-13-07, 09:29 AM	Take a hedgehog. You'll get a +1 natural armor bonus. You can find it in the DMG.
The_Shaman 02-13-07, 09:36 AM	IMO it's not that a familiar will be a liability, it just won't be an immediate bonus in combat. However, it can still be used for various purposes, such as scouting (a flying falcon is much less likely to arouse suspicion than a group of do-gooders), communication, or even guard duty. If it's possible, the obtain familiar feat would be much better as the familiar is keyed to your spellcasting level. See if you can get something else as a sorcerer feature (I've heard that some people have house-ruled no ASF in light armor, or just a flat -10% to ASF), and get it that way.
Ventifax 02-14-07, 11:24 AM	Raven familiars are so cool, I could see dipping into Wiz or Sorc just to get one.