Familiar Variants [Archive] - Wizards Community

Familiar Variants [Archive] - Wizards Community

Post/Author/DateTime Post
Lord Schpungus
03-18-04, 06:14 PM How balanced would letting a sorcerer take the familiar variants from the specialization variants? Say, let a sorcerer have a skeletal minion instead of a familiar? I was thinking maybe require one spell/level be from the 'specialized' school.
Greyman
03-18-04, 07:04 PM A familiar is a tiny animal that can be hidden fairly easily and kept safe with the proper precautions.   A skeletal minion is a ... well it's a ruddy great skeleton that follows you around, i'n'it?

It's better at combat, but not that great, and you'll find its harder to keep it from becoming a target.  On the other hand, there's no XP loss if it gets broken and it's much easier to replace.

It draws attention to itself, and marks you out as a necromancer for everyone to see.  Of course, if that's the role you've chosen to play, that could be a good thing, but it can be a social disadvantage for you and your party.

Overall I think it's a fair swap.
Lord Schpungus
03-18-04, 07:26 PM How about Rapid Summoning, or Enhanced Awareness, or the cohort? Are these balanced, too? Would the 1 'school' spell/level limitation be warranted?
Greyman
03-18-04, 11:09 PM Cohort comes into play at sixth level and is basically an underpowered version of Leadership, or a minor boost if the enchanter takes the feat as well.

Rapid Summoning gives your summoned creatures an extra standard action in which to act when summoned. That's nice and all, but hardly an outrageous advantage.

----

Of course, if you are considering adding these variants to the sorcerer, keep in mind that their intended purpose is to make the specialist wizard seem more special. Allowing variant sorcerers to share the same abilities does somewhat detract from that.

Requiring the sorcerer to know at least one spell of the specialist school each spell level does at least ensure she have some focus in the relevant school.

However, that's a flavour issue, rather than ballance.
NorthSaber
03-18-04, 11:41 PM I think those variants are fair game. To me it seems that they were designed to be about as powerful as a familiar (if used properly), and I wouldn't have a problem as a DM allowing a sorcerer to take one of those instead. Most sorcerers skip taking a familiar completely, which only nerfs them unnecessarily - using one of these variants would compensate nicely.

Post/Author/DateTime	Post
Lord Schpungus 03-18-04, 06:14 PM	How balanced would letting a sorcerer take the familiar variants from the specialization variants? Say, let a sorcerer have a skeletal minion instead of a familiar? I was thinking maybe require one spell/level be from the 'specialized' school.
Greyman 03-18-04, 07:04 PM	A familiar is a tiny animal that can be hidden fairly easily and kept safe with the proper precautions.   A skeletal minion is a ... well it's a ruddy great skeleton that follows you around, i'n'it? It's better at combat, but not that great, and you'll find its harder to keep it from becoming a target.  On the other hand, there's no XP loss if it gets broken and it's much easier to replace. It draws attention to itself, and marks you out as a necromancer for everyone to see.  Of course, if that's the role you've chosen to play, that could be a good thing, but it can be a social disadvantage for you and your party. Overall I think it's a fair swap.
Lord Schpungus 03-18-04, 07:26 PM	How about Rapid Summoning, or Enhanced Awareness, or the cohort? Are these balanced, too? Would the 1 'school' spell/level limitation be warranted?
Greyman 03-18-04, 11:09 PM	Cohort comes into play at sixth level and is basically an underpowered version of Leadership, or a minor boost if the enchanter takes the feat as well. Rapid Summoning gives your summoned creatures an extra standard action in which to act when summoned. That's nice and all, but hardly an outrageous advantage. ---- Of course, if you are considering adding these variants to the sorcerer, keep in mind that their intended purpose is to make the specialist wizard seem more special. Allowing variant sorcerers to share the same abilities does somewhat detract from that. Requiring the sorcerer to know at least one spell of the specialist school each spell level does at least ensure she have some focus in the relevant school. However, that's a flavour issue, rather than ballance.
NorthSaber 03-18-04, 11:41 PM	I think those variants are fair game. To me it seems that they were designed to be about as powerful as a familiar (if used properly), and I wouldn't have a problem as a DM allowing a sorcerer to take one of those instead. Most sorcerers skip taking a familiar completely, which only nerfs them unnecessarily - using one of these variants would compensate nicely.