Post/Author/DateTime	Post
#1 dpwilliams2 Feb 22, 2012 19:26:01	Hello all, I'm playing a Sorcerer for the first time. I got everything done properly for the sorcerer and am proud with myself. However I need help with the familier. I'm going with the Weesel and need help getting the stats and everything. I usually don't play with Companions or Familiars because I can't ever seem to do it properly.
#2 Tempest_Stormwind Feb 23, 2012 12:58:01	Hello all, I'm playing a Sorcerer for the first time. I got everything done properly for the sorcerer and am proud with myself. However I need help with the familier. I'm going with the Weesel and need help getting the stats and everything. I usually don't play with Companions or Familiars because I can't ever seem to do it properly. Basically, you start with the stats for the animal (listed in the monster manual, or here), and then apply the modifications described in the familiar rules. The only thing to watch out for is that your familiar is based on your sorcerer class level, not your caster level, so if you ever pick up a prestige class or similar, the familiar will languish. (This is one of the reasons most people trade out familiars for alternate class features; if you still want a little companion, you can use the Obtain Familiar feat in Complete Arcane to get it back and based on your character level.)  I can't give you the exact stats, since you didn't tell me your level. But if you go line-by-line through the familiar rules with the stat block open, you'll be fine. Note that familiars are not combat creatures by default, and they do not actually gain Hit Dice (the HD rules say they're treated as your level, but that's not the same as actually having extra HD; for an example of that, look at the psicrystal, which has an HD entry of "As master") so most of their stats won't change. This is different from animal companions, who gain bonus Strength and Dexterity, which changes all of their combat stats. While I like the weasel in a core-only game if you don't intend to make heavy use of the familiar in battle (really, its 0 reach and poor combat abilities mean that it's best if you just keep it in a pouch on your belt), there are other choices to consider as well. The usual core-only choice is the Raven, especially if you pick up ranks in Use Magic Device, since it can talk and thus activate command-word items and wands. The noncore choices are a bit more varied - typically they're the Hummingbird (+4 initiative, use the stats of a Fine thrush) or an Improved Familiar like the Imp (which usually only matters on a combat familiar, such as one belonging to a hexblade - hexblades get full base attack and d10 HD, which means their familiars tend to be pretty badass in combat... if they didn't swap it out for a Dark Companion (PHB2).)
#3 dpwilliams2 Feb 23, 2012 16:10:25	Tempest_Stormwind, Thanks for the brief understanding. I did post my level in the thread title but thanks for the clear understanding. I think with you're explaination I should be able to get this. As for combat, I know it isn't really good for combat. I was going to use him to deliver touch attacks, maybe, and that's about it. Otherwise he's there to look good.
#4 Tempest_Stormwind Feb 23, 2012 16:27:53	Tempest_Stormwind, Thanks for the brief understanding. I did post my level in the thread title but thanks for the clear understanding. I think with you're explaination I should be able to get this. As for combat, I know it isn't really good for combat. I was going to use him to deliver touch attacks, maybe, and that's about it. Otherwise he's there to look good.  I meant that I didn't know if you were playing a pure level 10 sorcerer, or some mix of prestige classes. Generally speaking it's not worth staying in Sorcerer all that long. If you are a level 10 sorcerer, then the stats for the weasel familiar look like this. (Try to work this out too; it's good practice.)  Show Size/Type: Tiny Magical Beast Hit Dice: ½ d8 (effective 10 HD; hp 1/2 master's*) Initiative: +2 Speed: 20 ft. (4 squares), climb 20 ft. Armor Class: 19 (+2 size, +2 Dex, +5 natural), touch 14, flat-footed 17 Base Attack/Grapple: +5/-7 Attack: Bite +9 melee (1d3-4) Full Attack: Bite +4 melee (1d3-4) Space/Reach: 2½ ft./0 ft. Special Attacks: Attach Special Qualities: Low-light vision, scent, Familiar Abilities** Saves: Fort +3, Ref +5, Will +8 Abilities: Str 3, Dex 15, Con 10, Int 10, Wis 12, Cha 5 Skills: Balance +12, Climb +10, Escape Artist +4,Hide +11, Move Silently +8, Spot +3*** Feats: Agile, Weapon Finesse (B) Environment: With master Organization: N/A Challenge Rating: Included with master Advancement: — Level Adjustment: — *It has half your final hit points, regardless of its Constitution. Technically if you cast Bear's Endurance on yourself, the familiar's HP will improve, even if it's miles away at the time.  **It has Alertness (the familiar version; it grants YOU +2 Listen/Spot while it's in arm's reach, rather than getting the feat itself), Improved Evasion, Share Spells, Empathic Link, Deliver Touch Spells, Speak with Master, and Speak with Animals of Its Kind. ***Skills are at least these values for every skill listed. For other skills, it has your rank + its ability modifier. For instance, if you have maxed out Knowledge (Arcana) at 13 ranks, it has a Knowledge (Arcana) check of +13 (its Intelligence modifier is +0).