How do I get a pet or familiar? - Downloaded from the Wizards Community, all coding removed by Solauren

How do I get a pet or familiar?

Post/Author/DateTime Post
#1
monsterchow
Apr 24, 2009 10:52:08 Hi I'm new to 4E. How do you get a pet or familiar as a druid? If druids can't get them, can anyone else? Thanks ahead of time for the help.
#2
Stuntman
Apr 24, 2009 11:08:21 Druids do not get pets or familairs. Arcane classes (wizards, warlocks, bards, swordmages, sorcerers) can get familiars by taking a feat. Rangers can get a beast companion by choosing the class option. Shamans have a spirit companion as it is one of their primary class features.
#3
rovin
Apr 24, 2009 11:27:38 That said, there's a fair chance that when Primal Power comes out (June, IIRC) we'll see a "pet druid" build option. It seems like an obvious way to go, and they could just adapt (and hopefully improve) the ranger beastmaster rules.
#4
Darth_Caffeineus
Apr 24, 2009 11:38:28 The beast master ranger is in Martial Power book, the Familiar rules are in Arcane Power book.

Also a non-shaman charecter can spend a feat to get a spirit companion (see players handbook 2).

In addtion in the adventures vault book there are prices for mounts such as rage drakes and dire animials.
#5
Dane_McArdy
Apr 24, 2009 11:47:48 You need feets to get a familiar.

Take a bunch, boil them in a pot and the smell will attract a familiar.
#6
nightwyrm
Apr 24, 2009 12:20:14 If you want a pet that has no combat ability, just ask for one from your DM.
#7
Darth_Caffeineus
Apr 24, 2009 12:24:11 You could use the nature skill to train an animial to follow you into battle but this is something you will have to work out with the DM.
#8
vaalingrade_ashland_02
Apr 24, 2009 12:45:12 There is also the Animal Friendship Ritual that lets you summon and make friends with little woodland creatures.

Plus, I've got some pet rules based on the mount rules at my World of Ere site in my sig.
#9
tricksyandfalse
Apr 24, 2009 13:02:16
If you want a pet that has no combat ability, just ask for one from your DM.

I second this, and would add "and doesn't give you a skill challenge advantage". If you want a druid with a parrot on his/her shoulder, the parrot is really just a role-playing prop when viewed from a rules perspective, and doesn't need any rules to govern its presence.

If you want a pet or familiar that actually does something, the answer depends on what you want it to do.

A spirit companion can be gotten through the Spirit Talker (PBHII) shaman multi-class feat. It would functionally be a summonable roadblock that can attack once per encounter (as an OA) unless you took more shaman feats. You could reflavor it so it seemed pet-like. Maybe a lazy bear companion you can summon that prefers to sit in the enemy's path more than it likes to attack.

A familiar can be gotten by talking an arcane multi-class feat (not many synergize well with druid, though), and then by taking the familiar feat from Arcane Power. Familiars grant small advantages, like skill bonuses. Their combat roles tend to be very limited. If your druid wants a mouse in his pocket that can also spy for him, though, this is a decent (if very roundabout) way to simulate that.

If you want a pet that plays a significant role in combat, you'd need to play a beastmaster ranger (Martial Power) or full-on shaman. Maybe this is the best answer for you. Why do you want/need to play a druid? If you want to play a champion of nature, rangers and shamans are also a champions of nature (that come with pets!). If you want to shapeshift alongside your pet, these two classes can both take the Initiate of the Old Faith feat (PBHII). If you want to cast spells and have a combat pet, and don't want to play a shaman, you can multiclass into a spellcasting class from ranger--the sorcerer class would work well with a beastmaster ranger's strength score. If your group needs you to play a controller, you could again could multiclass into druid from either of these classes easily.

You could also check out the hybrid class playtest for PBHIII, and build a ranger (or shaman) / druid hybrid class.
#10
Kalnaur
Apr 24, 2009 16:13:49
That said, there's a fair chance that when Primal Power comes out (June, IIRC) we'll see a "pet druid" build option. It seems like an obvious way to go, and they could just adapt (and hopefully improve) the ranger beastmaster rules.

Amazon Has this Listed as October, not June. October 20th to be exact. The Ebberon Players' Guide is slated for June.
#11
Mengu74
Apr 24, 2009 16:23:14 You can flavor a background option to be a familiar/pet. Your druid maybe uses wisdom instead of con for starting hit points, because of his armadillo pet. Or he has access to thievery as a class skill because of his raccoon. Or he gains resist 4 fire, granted to him by his miniature phoenix familiar. Or he has a +2 stealth thanks to his ocelot companion.
#12
TheBouncyPherret
Apr 25, 2009 14:21:57
You can flavor a background option to be a familiar/pet. Your druid maybe uses wisdom instead of con for starting hit points, because of his armadillo pet. Or he has access to thievery as a class skill because of his raccoon. Or he gains resist 4 fire, granted to him by his miniature phoenix familiar. Or he has a +2 stealth thanks to his ocelot companion.

WOW! That is awesome! I never thought of using backgrounds like that. Me likes! :D

TBP
#13
borris
Apr 27, 2009 1:48:56 And I'm pretty sure Divine Power (July 2009) will include rules for obtaining a paladin's special mount. It's as much a staple of D&D as the ranger's animal companion.
#14
mellored
Apr 27, 2009 10:07:38
You can flavor a background option to be a familiar/pet. Your druid maybe uses wisdom instead of con for starting hit points, because of his armadillo pet. Or he has access to thievery as a class skill because of his raccoon. Or he gains resist 4 fire, granted to him by his miniature phoenix familiar. Or he has a +2 stealth thanks to his ocelot companion.

Very creative.
#15
AbyssalKender
May 04, 2009 23:01:31 My simple solution would be to multiclass into an arcane class and then take the Familiar feat. You dont even ever have to take any of the other multiclass feats and give up your Druid powers.

I recommend Arcane Initiate so you can then take the Implement Master feat to gain use of the Staff of Defense class feature to use with your Druid's staff implement. I'd also recommend the Storm Pillar at-will power for your encounter power, because it is the only one that doesn't rely on Int to hit. It does use Int for damage, but you can't get around that one.

That or Thunderwave, as it pushes those affected by it your Wis mod in squares.

Post/Author/DateTime	Post
#1 monsterchow Apr 24, 2009 10:52:08	Hi I'm new to 4E. How do you get a pet or familiar as a druid? If druids can't get them, can anyone else? Thanks ahead of time for the help.
#2 Stuntman Apr 24, 2009 11:08:21	Druids do not get pets or familairs. Arcane classes (wizards, warlocks, bards, swordmages, sorcerers) can get familiars by taking a feat. Rangers can get a beast companion by choosing the class option. Shamans have a spirit companion as it is one of their primary class features.
#3 rovin Apr 24, 2009 11:27:38	That said, there's a fair chance that when Primal Power comes out (June, IIRC) we'll see a "pet druid" build option. It seems like an obvious way to go, and they could just adapt (and hopefully improve) the ranger beastmaster rules.
#4 Darth_Caffeineus Apr 24, 2009 11:38:28	The beast master ranger is in Martial Power book, the Familiar rules are in Arcane Power book. Also a non-shaman charecter can spend a feat to get a spirit companion (see players handbook 2). In addtion in the adventures vault book there are prices for mounts such as rage drakes and dire animials.
#5 Dane_McArdy Apr 24, 2009 11:47:48	You need feets to get a familiar. Take a bunch, boil them in a pot and the smell will attract a familiar.
#6 nightwyrm Apr 24, 2009 12:20:14	If you want a pet that has no combat ability, just ask for one from your DM.
#7 Darth_Caffeineus Apr 24, 2009 12:24:11	You could use the nature skill to train an animial to follow you into battle but this is something you will have to work out with the DM.
#8 vaalingrade_ashland_02 Apr 24, 2009 12:45:12	There is also the Animal Friendship Ritual that lets you summon and make friends with little woodland creatures. Plus, I've got some pet rules based on the mount rules at my World of Ere site in my sig.
#9 tricksyandfalse Apr 24, 2009 13:02:16	If you want a pet that has no combat ability, just ask for one from your DM. I second this, and would add "and doesn't give you a skill challenge advantage". If you want a druid with a parrot on his/her shoulder, the parrot is really just a role-playing prop when viewed from a rules perspective, and doesn't need any rules to govern its presence. If you want a pet or familiar that actually does something, the answer depends on what you want it to do. A spirit companion can be gotten through the Spirit Talker (PBHII) shaman multi-class feat. It would functionally be a summonable roadblock that can attack once per encounter (as an OA) unless you took more shaman feats. You could reflavor it so it seemed pet-like. Maybe a lazy bear companion you can summon that prefers to sit in the enemy's path more than it likes to attack. A familiar can be gotten by talking an arcane multi-class feat (not many synergize well with druid, though), and then by taking the familiar feat from Arcane Power. Familiars grant small advantages, like skill bonuses. Their combat roles tend to be very limited. If your druid wants a mouse in his pocket that can also spy for him, though, this is a decent (if very roundabout) way to simulate that. If you want a pet that plays a significant role in combat, you'd need to play a beastmaster ranger (Martial Power) or full-on shaman. Maybe this is the best answer for you. Why do you want/need to play a druid? If you want to play a champion of nature, rangers and shamans are also a champions of nature (that come with pets!). If you want to shapeshift alongside your pet, these two classes can both take the Initiate of the Old Faith feat (PBHII). If you want to cast spells and have a combat pet, and don't want to play a shaman, you can multiclass into a spellcasting class from ranger--the sorcerer class would work well with a beastmaster ranger's strength score. If your group needs you to play a controller, you could again could multiclass into druid from either of these classes easily. You could also check out the hybrid class playtest for PBHIII, and build a ranger (or shaman) / druid hybrid class.
#10 Kalnaur Apr 24, 2009 16:13:49	That said, there's a fair chance that when Primal Power comes out (June, IIRC) we'll see a "pet druid" build option. It seems like an obvious way to go, and they could just adapt (and hopefully improve) the ranger beastmaster rules. Amazon Has this Listed as October, not June. October 20th to be exact. The Ebberon Players' Guide is slated for June.
#11 Mengu74 Apr 24, 2009 16:23:14	You can flavor a background option to be a familiar/pet. Your druid maybe uses wisdom instead of con for starting hit points, because of his armadillo pet. Or he has access to thievery as a class skill because of his raccoon. Or he gains resist 4 fire, granted to him by his miniature phoenix familiar. Or he has a +2 stealth thanks to his ocelot companion.
#12 TheBouncyPherret Apr 25, 2009 14:21:57	You can flavor a background option to be a familiar/pet. Your druid maybe uses wisdom instead of con for starting hit points, because of his armadillo pet. Or he has access to thievery as a class skill because of his raccoon. Or he gains resist 4 fire, granted to him by his miniature phoenix familiar. Or he has a +2 stealth thanks to his ocelot companion. WOW! That is awesome! I never thought of using backgrounds like that. Me likes! :D TBP
#13 borris Apr 27, 2009 1:48:56	And I'm pretty sure Divine Power (July 2009) will include rules for obtaining a paladin's special mount. It's as much a staple of D&D as the ranger's animal companion.
#14 mellored Apr 27, 2009 10:07:38	You can flavor a background option to be a familiar/pet. Your druid maybe uses wisdom instead of con for starting hit points, because of his armadillo pet. Or he has access to thievery as a class skill because of his raccoon. Or he gains resist 4 fire, granted to him by his miniature phoenix familiar. Or he has a +2 stealth thanks to his ocelot companion. Very creative.
#15 AbyssalKender May 04, 2009 23:01:31	My simple solution would be to multiclass into an arcane class and then take the Familiar feat. You dont even ever have to take any of the other multiclass feats and give up your Druid powers. I recommend Arcane Initiate so you can then take the Implement Master feat to gain use of the Staff of Defense class feature to use with your Druid's staff implement. I'd also recommend the Storm Pillar at-will power for your encounter power, because it is the only one that doesn't rely on Int to hit. It does use Int for damage, but you can't get around that one. That or Thunderwave, as it pushes those affected by it your Wis mod in squares.