Post/Author/DateTime	Post
Vash_HS 05-26-07, 05:30 PM	I'm wondering if there are any additional creatures presented that I could take instead of the ones listed in the DMG? I want a creature with a high charisma and possibly some diplomacy. The best I can find is an Imp but I'm not sure I want one (PC is true Neutral). I'm also wondering if there are any fey I could take instead or highish charisma outsider.
Rerecros 05-26-07, 06:33 PM	What's wrong with the imp, as long as the PC is neither chaotic or good he can take that familiar.
Vash_HS 05-26-07, 07:07 PM	Well, I'm looking for a slightly less evil creature. I was also thinking about using a fey but I can't find any who could qualify. I only have the MM 3.5 at the moment so that makes things more difficult (but I can easily get a hold of other books from my friends if I know which ones to check). So really I'm looking to see what my options are. So are there any other suggestions for creature familiars besides those in the MM 3.5 or Complete Warrior?
ShadowGlade 05-26-07, 08:14 PM	Mephit's from the MM 3.5 would work they have a 15 Charisma... if you can get a copy of the MM3 i don't see any reason why a Petal cha of 18 (Page.120) Advanced to 3 hit dice wouldn't work if you wanted a familiar with a good alignment. Though the Mephit could just as easily have a good alignment.
Antioch 05-27-07, 12:40 AM	From making a benchmark listing of Improved Familiars, for the most part any creature with a CR between 1/2 and 3 works for a 7th level spellcaster, so thats a good place to start. At 9th level critters up to CR 4 become viable for familiars if you can wait that long.
Nor'Morgwae 05-27-07, 03:07 AM	The best I can tell guidlines on familiars are the same as cohorts. ECL has to be 2 lower than yours. That's true of all of the improved familiars from the DMG. At least those with their LA listed in the MM. Lots of them aren't so that takes some DM adjucation (apparently an elemental has an unlisted LA of +1). I think that works out for the CWar too, but I'd have to check again. Using that Grig's and Nixies would be available at level 6 (they have an ECL of 4) and Pixies would be available at 7 (ECL of 5 without Otto's Irrisistable Dance). A nixie would probably work well for what your asking about with the Charm spell-like ability and a very high charisma (18). And best off all, making it a Familiar will actually make it gain HP. Of course, you need to run any of this by your DM first.
Vash_HS 05-27-07, 02:00 PM	Thanks all, this is exactly what i was looking for.
Shautora 07-18-07, 12:31 PM	I also want an unlisted improved familiar, although I already have something in mind. A retriever. Now, this obviously would require a CL of much higher than 7, but there arent any familiars listed above that level. I was wodering...does anyone know the formula relating a creature and the caster level needed to gain it as a familiar? I've compared several of the improved familiars, and it doesnt seem to be related to ECL, HD, BAB, nor could I figure out some relation between the three. How do you determine the CL needed to get a given creature as a familiar?
Tealgorthian 07-18-07, 10:13 PM	I also want an unlisted improved familiar, although I already have something in mind. A retriever. Now, this obviously would require a CL of much higher than 7, but there arent any familiars listed above that level. I was wodering...does anyone know the formula relating a creature and the caster level needed to gain it as a familiar? I've compared several of the improved familiars, and it doesnt seem to be related to ECL, HD, BAB, nor could I figure out some relation between the three. How do you determine the CL needed to get a given creature as a familiar? Like.. the big, construct demon??
TiwazTyrsfist 07-18-07, 10:52 PM	I personally like to add a +1 LA Template to a base familiar. Things like celetial, or one of the elemental ones.
Shautora 07-19-07, 01:27 AM	Like.. the big, construct demon?? Yea, thats the one...
selenia 07-19-07, 10:28 AM	There is a familiar`s handbook on the CO boards. It has a list of good alternative familars available with various feats. http://boards1.wizards.com/showthread.php?t=875062 Selenia
Shadowfax7 07-19-07, 11:37 AM	The best I can tell guidlines on familiars are the same as cohorts. ECL has to be 2 lower than yours. As per this guideline, would a Giant Owl or Giant Eagle (both CR 3, no LA) improved familiar be obtainable at 5th level ?
Shautora 07-19-07, 12:11 PM	As per this guideline, would a Giant Owl or Giant Eagle (both CR 3, no LA) improved familiar be obtainable at 5th level ? From what I've seen, this method isnt accurate, for example a quasit or imp have ECL 3, but require CL 7 to gain as a familiar.
Peregrine_Wolf 07-19-07, 05:56 PM	Small elementals are fun =) personally I like air most. sneak little spy friend =P
Antioch 07-19-07, 06:05 PM	At 5th level the Challenge Rating range seems to be 1/2 to 2. At 7th level the range seems to be 1/2 to 3. At 9th level the range seems to anywhere from 1 to 4.
Shautora 07-20-07, 01:25 AM	At 5th level the Challenge Rating range seems to be 1/2 to 2. At 7th level the range seems to be 1/2 to 3. At 9th level the range seems to anywhere from 1 to 4. so then appropriate CL would b given by CR*2+1?
Tealgorthian 07-20-07, 01:27 AM	so then appropriate CL would b given by CR*2+1? I don't think there is a flat formula that is used for that sort of thing. I think it is mostly up to the DM. Most of the Improved Familiars are small creatures with an arcane sort of flavor.
Shautora 07-20-07, 02:20 AM	I don't think there is a flat formula that is used for that sort of thing. I think it is mostly up to the DM. Most of the Improved Familiars are small creatures with an arcane sort of flavor. Thats what I was afraid of... So then would anyone be able to proffer some suggestions as to a reasonable CL req for a retriever?
Shautora 07-20-07, 02:21 AM	Or is there some other way to aquire one to serve you?