Post/Author/DateTime	Post
#1 RavingDork Oct 01, 2015 11:01:53	When using the variant rule for familiars on page 347 of the Monster Manual, what exactly is stopping people from having demilich familiars (or other powerful tiny-sized beasts), aside from GM fiat?
#2 Tempest_Stormwind Oct 01, 2015 13:56:18	How does one use *variant* rules if not by GM fiat? 5e doesn't assume a clockwork GM. (That said I am AFB and don't recall the original section you're quoting.)
#3 Mechatarrasque Oct 01, 2015 14:27:50	Your familiar can't fight for you*, and there is no indication that familiars know anything, so for most casters it would just be a really good meat shield.     * Unless you are a chainlock, and then only if the GM exercised fiat to add the demilich to the chainlock familiar list.  You better skip the pizza and go straight to the girls jumping out of the cake to get that.
#4 josephhawk Oct 01, 2015 15:24:13	Mechatarrasque wrote:
#5 Grazel Oct 01, 2015 16:42:32	Being a variant rule it'd be up to the DM to approve the alternate familiar. The spell states the familiar can't attack but can perform other actions, this would limit the usefulness of a demilich as they'd not be able to use any of their attacks. It's also still assumed that these other forms are still just forms and that the familiar isn't really a demilich but a celestial, fey, or fiend spirit that looks and mostly acts like a demilich.
#6 Mechatarrasque Oct 01, 2015 20:16:48	I would be tempted to allow it (not for the chainlock) just to get some "Bob the Skull" action going.
#7 Mad_Jack Oct 02, 2015 5:02:59	I'd allow it, but only if the demilich appears wearing a stylish hat...
#8 DeathMutantLives Oct 02, 2015 9:37:17	As a DM in a home game, I would allow a demi-lich to have a PC as a familiar. Oh wait, that is not what you were asking. . .
#9 jaelis Oct 02, 2015 9:42:57	Mad_Jack wrote: