Post/Author/DateTime	Post
Eridrau 07-13-07, 08:49 PM	Alright, well on Page 53 of the Player's Handbook, it states that a familiar who's master is at least level 5 can communicate with it. Does this mean that a caster with the casting ability of a 5th level Sorceror/Wizard counts? Is it Effective Caster level, so Practiced Spellcaster would beef up your familiar's abilities? Obtain Familiar (Complete Arcane, page 81) It says that 'levels in all classes that allow you to cast arcane spells stack." This makes it even Messier! What determines if a given level qualifies? The simple explanation is "If it ups your caster level, it counts" But what about prestige classes without full casting ability? Do only levels which GRANT casting count? or do all levels in it count? You can see how this has me confused. One example was of the story "Maiden's Wind". Raz was a 5th level caster (3 wizard, 2 prestige class). Cheekum, his ferret familiar, could talk with him. So, obviously if you have the 'spellcasting ability' of a 5th level Arcane Caster it counts. Does anyone have any further hard-and fast rules, or is this a "AYDM" moment? All I want is a familiar that my (+1 LA, non 'human') character can talk to within some reasonable level. (i.e. before level 10) And of course, no ravens, it's part of the humour that only he can converse with it. Thank you!
Alex_ 07-13-07, 10:28 PM	Alright, well on Page 53 of the Player's Handbook, it states that a familiar who's master is at least level 5 can communicate with it. You read just a wee bit too far. Go back a couple of lines before that and you'll see... Familiar Ability Descriptions: All familiars have special abilities (or impart abilities to their masters) depending on the master’s combined level in classes that grant familiars, as shown on the table below. The abilities given on the table are cumulative. Does this mean that a caster with the casting ability of a 5th level Sorceror/Wizard counts? It means any character with 5 total Character Levels can. All I want is a familiar that my (+1 LA, non 'human') character can talk to within some reasonable level. Taking into account your Level Adjustment, you can do so at level 6.
Kouk 07-14-07, 01:29 AM	Yeah, Caster Level and Class Level are different things. Familiars' abilities rely purely on Class Levels of classes that grant familiar abilities (in core, only Sorcerers and Wizards). Boosting your Caster Level does nothing directly for the familiar.
darth_borehd 07-14-07, 01:57 AM	master’s combined level in classes that grant familiars[/I] It means any character with 5 total Character Levels can. Not necessarily. The key phrase is "master’s combined level in classes that grant familiars " So a 4th level fighter/1st level wizard would still only have a 1st level familiar. Even PrCs that grant increases in spells per day (like Arcane Trickster) don't count towards the familiar's level.
pinkbunny 07-14-07, 04:43 AM	unless you take obtain familiar
Legdiwena 07-14-07, 07:08 PM	Aren't sorceror/wizard kept separate just like they are for spells or was that 3.0?
Alex_ 07-14-07, 07:14 PM	Not necessarily. The key phrase is "master’s combined level in classes that grant familiars " So a 4th level fighter/1st level wizard would still only have a 1st level familiar. Even PrCs that grant increases in spells per day (like Arcane Trickster) don't count towards the familiar's level. Oy, you're totally right. Looks I myself stopped reading too soon. :D
danielinthewolvesden 07-15-07, 02:12 AM	Yeah, Caster Level and Class Level are different things. Familiars' abilities rely purely on Class Levels of classes that grant familiar abilities (in core, only Sorcerers and Wizards). Hexblade gets a familiar. FYI.
pinkbunny 07-15-07, 02:35 AM	Aren't sorceror/wizard kept separate just like they are for spells or was that 3.0? they both grant familiars, so class levels stack for that
Kouk 07-15-07, 08:14 AM	Hexblade gets a familiar. FYI. By "Core" I was referring to the 3 core books, Complete Warrior is not included.