Post/Author/DateTime	Post
MightyPotamus 04-03-07, 09:39 AM	I know that the usefulness of familiars is debatable, but I don't find much use for one with the way I play a mage. What's the best variant to substitute a familiar, or would i be better off just not taking one regardless of my ability otherwise.
StalkerEntreri 04-03-07, 09:51 AM	If you have Unearthed Arcana what you could do it take a specialized wizard, and the first ability granted by all of the variants removes a familiar.
Davro 04-03-07, 09:56 AM	Also check Player's Handbook 2 and Dungeonscape.
DrMorganes 04-03-07, 10:07 AM	If you have Unearthed Arcana what you could do it take a specialized wizard, and the first ability granted by all of the variants removes a familiar. Actually, you don't need Unearthed Arcana for those. They're now part of the SRD. Check 'em out! (http://www.d20srd.org/srd/variant/classes/specialistWizardVariants.htm)
Grey_Herald 04-03-07, 10:17 AM	Those are all good choices; you could also work with your DM and houserule it. In almost every game I've run or played in, it was acceptable to trade in your familiar for a bonus feat like a human receives.
MightyPotamus 04-03-07, 11:29 AM	I have Unearthed Arcana. I was thinking more for a sorcerer (I should have been more specific, those ones for wizard are awesome.)
Ktulu 04-03-07, 04:59 PM	I don't see why you couldn't really switch out the familiar for one of the UA variants with the sorcerer. You'd still have to have specialty, but wouldn't gain any benefit from it, like you do a wiz. I've always allowed an item creation or metamagic feat to be taken in place of a familiar, though most players in my group have learned the usefulness of those little buggers. Ktulu