familiar knowledge [Archive] - Wizards Community

familiar knowledge [Archive] - Wizards Community

Post/Author/DateTime Post
cycloptic_squirrel
03-24-07, 01:17 AM I was recently making a few knowledge checks and wasn't quite satisfied with my results. Long after the fact, I remembered that I had a familiar and the familiar possessed the same skills that I did. Technically, this should allow a separate knowledge check, but for some odd reasons this felt wrong to me. How would you deal with such a situation at a table you were DMing?
nobodez
03-24-07, 01:37 AM I'd say that since the familiar is a separate creature, even though it shares it's master's ranks, and can therefore make it's own skill checks, from Knowledge, to Spot, to Spellcraft.
Japangirl
03-24-07, 02:42 AM It uses its own stat modifiers though, of course, so if it is a familiar of a wizard it is not as smart as the master and has a lower chance to know the desired thing. If the familiar of a sorceror, however, it is more likely to actually know something than the sorceror!
Southernskies
03-24-07, 04:25 AM There are some grey areas regarding familiars, including the bonus "alertness" feat.
I always feel that this is the familiar giving a perpetual "aid another" to spot and listen checks.

Then there are players saying "my familiar makes the spot check, therefore we aren't surprised". Well, the familiar won't be surprised, but the master and the rest of the party still need to succeed at their own checks.
Madfox11
03-24-07, 08:38 AM The few times it came up in my games, and players had the same problems with it as you I suggested they would simply let the familiar use 'aid another' which was much more palatable to them. By the rules though you can ask for a seperate check. Of course, before this is even possible the familiar must be able to communicate with the PC in question, which is not guaranteed (especially not at lower levels or with all those prestige classes running around ;) ).
katrick
03-24-07, 08:56 AM ravens speak common at 1st level
my raven familiar is better at everything except hit points and CHA skills and has been since 9th level
katrick
gomeztoo
03-24-07, 08:56 AM I'm sure 'Stefan' can pantomime ;)
paigeoliver
03-28-07, 07:19 AM "Let's ask my rat about it" is something I have actually heard quite a lot in reference to knowledge skills.
Lomiat
03-28-07, 06:09 PM Yes, the familiar can get its own roll. And, for that matter, it's sometimes good to have it assist your check.
LachlarlanIII
03-28-07, 06:19 PM "Let's ask my rat about it" is something I have actually heard quite a lot in reference to knowledge skills.

I had my rat familiar try to track something before.

It was quite comical.

Me: Rattattoui, find the tracks.
Rat: *looks at me like I'm an idiot*
Me: That's okay. You tried your best.

Did I mention how insane my wizard is?:D

Post/Author/DateTime	Post
cycloptic_squirrel 03-24-07, 01:17 AM	I was recently making a few knowledge checks and wasn't quite satisfied with my results. Long after the fact, I remembered that I had a familiar and the familiar possessed the same skills that I did. Technically, this should allow a separate knowledge check, but for some odd reasons this felt wrong to me. How would you deal with such a situation at a table you were DMing?
nobodez 03-24-07, 01:37 AM	I'd say that since the familiar is a separate creature, even though it shares it's master's ranks, and can therefore make it's own skill checks, from Knowledge, to Spot, to Spellcraft.
Japangirl 03-24-07, 02:42 AM	It uses its own stat modifiers though, of course, so if it is a familiar of a wizard it is not as smart as the master and has a lower chance to know the desired thing. If the familiar of a sorceror, however, it is more likely to actually know something than the sorceror!
Southernskies 03-24-07, 04:25 AM	There are some grey areas regarding familiars, including the bonus "alertness" feat. I always feel that this is the familiar giving a perpetual "aid another" to spot and listen checks. Then there are players saying "my familiar makes the spot check, therefore we aren't surprised". Well, the familiar won't be surprised, but the master and the rest of the party still need to succeed at their own checks.
Madfox11 03-24-07, 08:38 AM	The few times it came up in my games, and players had the same problems with it as you I suggested they would simply let the familiar use 'aid another' which was much more palatable to them. By the rules though you can ask for a seperate check. Of course, before this is even possible the familiar must be able to communicate with the PC in question, which is not guaranteed (especially not at lower levels or with all those prestige classes running around ;) ).
katrick 03-24-07, 08:56 AM	ravens speak common at 1st level my raven familiar is better at everything except hit points and CHA skills and has been since 9th level katrick
gomeztoo 03-24-07, 08:56 AM	I'm sure 'Stefan' can pantomime ;)
paigeoliver 03-28-07, 07:19 AM	"Let's ask my rat about it" is something I have actually heard quite a lot in reference to knowledge skills.
Lomiat 03-28-07, 06:09 PM	Yes, the familiar can get its own roll. And, for that matter, it's sometimes good to have it assist your check.
LachlarlanIII 03-28-07, 06:19 PM	"Let's ask my rat about it" is something I have actually heard quite a lot in reference to knowledge skills. I had my rat familiar try to track something before. It was quite comical. Me: Rattattoui, find the tracks. Rat: looks at me like I'm an idiot Me: That's okay. You tried your best. Did I mention how insane my wizard is?:D