Post/Author/DateTime	Post
Goof 01-02-08, 04:41 PM	I have a question with augmentation of summoning and summoning a familiar. I know in 2ed summon familiar was a summoning spell, listed with all the other spells, with a full description and all. However now it is no longer referenced as a spell. So, if a wizard/sorcerer summons a familiar and has augmentation of summoning, does the summoned familiar get the +4 con/str?
Terok_The_Sly 01-02-08, 04:46 PM	Because a familiar is either a feat or class ability, the augment feat doesn't work. The SRD is pretty clear: Augment Summoning [General] Prerequisite Spell Focus (conjuration). Benefit Each creature you conjure with any summon spell gains a +4 enhancement bonus to Strength and Constitution for the duration of the spell that summoned it. Since it is no longer a spell, it does not apply.
Salla 01-02-08, 05:01 PM	Because a familiar is either a feat or class ability, the augment feat doesn't work. The SRD is pretty clear: Augment Summoning [General] Prerequisite Spell Focus (conjuration). Benefit Each creature you conjure with any summon spell gains a +4 enhancement bonus to Strength and Constitution for the duration of the spell that summoned it. Since it is no longer a spell, it does not apply. Correct.
Goof 01-02-08, 05:17 PM	That part is very clear to me, but wasn;t what my question was based on. I don't see anywhere that says summing a familiar is no longer a spell. Just sats at lvl 1 you can obtain a familiar, doing so cost 100, takes 24 hr, etc. In 2nd ed it was clearly a spell. In this one, it doesn't say anywhere in PHB and the DMG as far as I can tell. I have no reason to treat it other than spell that Wiz/Sorc get for free unless I can find something. (our group doesn't play with errata/faqs, etc, unless it is just for clarifying what is in the books) Should I really not allow players to work it this way? Does anyone think it unblanaced if their familiar rat/snake/toad has +4 str/con?
Watsyurname529 01-02-08, 05:30 PM	I don't see anywhere that says summing a familiar is no longer a spell. Just sats at lvl 1 you can obtain a familiar, doing so cost 100, takes 24 hr, etc. It also never explicitly says it is a spell. The Paladin's Lay on Hands ability isn't a spell but it still works. Same with the Barbarian's Rage. Also, both the Druid's and Ranger's animal compainions work in the same way and are you treating them like spells? They all are not spells even though it doesn't say that in the PHB. Like Terok and Salla both have said, since the Summon Familiar is a class ability and not a spell, augment summoning does not work. Also, if it was a spell, then it would be listed as a spell in the spell descriptions. Now, if you do let Augment Summoning work with the familiar (which would be a houserule) you have to let it work with the Druid's/Ranger's animal compainion.
Red_Wizards_Rock 01-02-08, 05:32 PM	No it's not a spell anymore just a class feature. It's not a conjuring spell the feat will not work with familiars.
ObscureInfo 01-02-08, 09:34 PM	I bet in 4E, if they have familiars, it will be a ritual, not a spell or class feature. The process already seems pretty ritualistic to me. But in 3.5E, it is a class feature, like rage or favorite enemy or sneak attack. Oh, and V agrees, and she/he is a powerful wizard. So Bleh! :P http://www.giantitp.com/comics/oots0154.html
curtis_ownby 01-08-08, 09:06 PM	I think what you are looking for is a way to make your familiar a little more powerful. Try the spell augment familiar CW pg.116.:D
mvincent 01-09-08, 06:06 PM	From the 3.5 FAQ (if desired): "Augment Summoning has no effect on a familiar’s abilities. Familiars are obtained by completing a 24-hour magical ritual (Player’s Handbook, page 54), typically with the desired creature present, not by means of a summoning effect."